USF basketball questions

Bradley Mosley update 10-30-05

I am already excited about the 2005-2006 USF Bulls Men's Basketball Team. Perhaps we can get some input from Tony Grier! More about Tony later in this post.
Coach Robert Mccullum and his staff proved they can get a team to play its' best basketball in March. In college hoops, the regular season is certainly not meaningless, but post-season tournaments give a team a chance to atone for its regular season mistakes. The Bulls' 3 huge wins in March, all against highly regarded programs, were the best reason for optimism the team has given us since the days of, well, Tony Grier!
Next year, USF moves into the very big-time Big East Conference. This is a huge step up, basketballistically speaking. Instead of playing between 5 and 9 games against "top 25" teams, we could play 10-16 games against the best teams in the nation. Think: Georgetown, Syracuse, Connecticut, NOTRE DAME! Pittsburgh, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova, West Virginia (JERRY WEST!), St. John's, Rutgers... then, add fellow CUSA transplants Cincinnati, Louisville, Marquette and DePaul, and you got a TOUGH conference...
So, who are USF's returning players, who will be added, and who will be getting playing time? I don't know, but I'll speculate here. Hopefully, Tony will add his thoughts. Perhaps I'll e-mail this reporter who covers the team and ask his opinion too...
Let's go by position. please click on the player's link for more info. Also, keep in mind that Coach McCullum hopes to add two more players.
one (point guard): Junior Juco transfer David Sills should start. He should be a very exciting player, having starred in the legendary Rucker League. I would surmise that his success in organized basketball will be determined by how he adjusts to Coach McCullum's very disciplined system. If he can thrive at USF against Big East competition, he will perhaps emerge as a potential NBA draftee in a year or two... other possibilities: returning junior Marius Prekevicius handles the ball a bit, and Chris Capko may be a possibility, although he did not distinguish himself this year, and he may not have a scholarship. Incoming freshman Chris Howard will likely get his playing time at this position. Also, don't count out Bradley Mosley!
two guard: the candidates here are returnees sophomore Collin Dennis, senior James Holmes, and Prekevicius. All started some games at this position last year, and played well at times. Another possibility is 6'6" junior juco transfer McHugh Mattis. If Mosley plays, as we pray he will, this might be his spot.
three or "small forward" (wing): I'm gonna say my man Melvin Buckley will start here. another close friend, Stevie Moss, may back him up. Here is proof of both of these young mens' excellence. Both may have two years of eligibilty. Depending on how their ball skills are, freshman Zaronn Cann and others whom i would ordinarily project as post players might get time at this position as well. Expect to see Mattis play here as well.
four (power forward): Big shoes to fill here. Who can replace Terrence Leather? Freshman Brandon Stores (6-9, 220) is highly regarded. Juco junior Melvyn Richardson (6-7, 235) may start because he's more experienced. Cann will probably get most of his playing time here. Cann, from Brandon High here in town, could be a hell of a player if his injured knee and his weight are where they should be. My man Stevie Moss might play at this position as well.
five (center): how bout returning senior Solomon Jones? Well, he's 6-10, but he's too skinny, and he's not a great rebounder. (Us little guys expect a lot from our big men!) Still, if Coach McCullum can get him to play like a man, we can start him. Perhaps Stores and/or Richardson, and maybe even Cann or Buckley, could play this position a bit too. It would be great if Coach could sign a 6-11, 280 lb guy who can rebound and move his feet on defense a bit, or else we might get pushed around too much.
I personally believe that USF basketball will be the big story in Tampa Bay sports in 2006. I will explain why in the months to come.
Tony Grier is one of the greatest players in USF Athletics history. He helped bring the program to national prominence. He helped build the Sundome! He's got a great website. He is the connection to USF's past and present. He is also a great guy and I'm proud to call him my friend. And, hey Dirty, he was drafted (in 1982) by: THE SPURS! I will try to get his comments on this post.
Thanks to all of you who support USF, and USF basketball.