http://www2.tbo.com/sports/usf-bulls/2012/feb/20/1/spsporto1-stating-its-case-ar-360713/
USF beats Pitt--
PITTSBURGH --
The odds are against the University of South Florida earning an NCAA tournament berth, the bracketology experts say.
The Bulls went into the Petersen Events Center and doubled down on that bet.
Freshman Anthony Collins set a career high with 22 points as USF reached double-digit Big East victories for the first time, beating reeling Pittsburgh, 56-47, Sunday night.
"I know USF isn't the sexy name around the country, but 10 wins in this conference is 10 wins in this conference," Bulls coach Stan Heath said. "That's a hell of a deal ... We should be in a big discussion nationally for what our guys are doing."
The Bulls (17-10, 10-4) have won four Big East road games for the first time and tied a school record with a four-game Big East winning streak.
USF used the same recipe it has all season, one that Pitt also used over the past decade to become a league power: defense and rebounding.
The Bulls held a 36-30 edge in rebounds and limited the Panthers (15-13, 4-11) to 34.6 percent shooting.
Big East preseason Player of the Year Ashton Gibbs was held to two points - his lowest in more than two years. In a 63-51 win against the Panthers 12 days earlier, USF held Gibbs to four points.
The six combined points Gibbs had - on 3-of-16 shooting - in two games versus the Bulls is less than he's had in any single game over the past two seasons.
"We just trusted each other and played defense like we do all the time," said Collins, whose former career high was 15 points. "Just helping and always communicating, knowing where (Gibbs) is at at all times."
USF shot 48.9 percent from the field, meaning it shot 54.2 percent overall in the two games against Pitt.
The Bulls seized control almost immediately, building a 15-4 lead over the first 9:18 of the game. USF trailed only once, 27-26 with 1:43 remaining in the first half.
But the Bulls scored the first eight points of the second half. The closest the Panthers would get was 42-39 with 9:26 to play, before Toarlyn Fitzpatrick answered with a 3-pointer that ignited a 14-2 run and effectively put the game away.
"To come to Pittsburgh and win is very unusual," Heath said. "You've got to have some toughness, you've got to have some grit. Our guys showed a lot of that tonight."
Picked to finish 14th in the conference in the preseason poll, USF - in Heath's eyes - has earned an NCAA tournament berth by reaching the magic double-digit Big East victory mark.
Only three times in the past 15 years has a team finished with at least 10 Big East wins and failed to be invited to the NCAA tournament.
Pitt's streak of 10 consecutive appearances is in serious jeopardy with its current four-game losing streak. Count Panthers coach Jamie Dixon among those who believe USF is worthy.
"I really do," Dixon said. "They seem to be playing their best basketball right now. To me, that's the most important thing. In our conference, you hope a team that's playing better in January and February would be rewarded."
USF beats Pitt--
PITTSBURGH --
The odds are against the University of South Florida earning an NCAA tournament berth, the bracketology experts say.
The Bulls went into the Petersen Events Center and doubled down on that bet.
Freshman Anthony Collins set a career high with 22 points as USF reached double-digit Big East victories for the first time, beating reeling Pittsburgh, 56-47, Sunday night.
"I know USF isn't the sexy name around the country, but 10 wins in this conference is 10 wins in this conference," Bulls coach Stan Heath said. "That's a hell of a deal ... We should be in a big discussion nationally for what our guys are doing."
The Bulls (17-10, 10-4) have won four Big East road games for the first time and tied a school record with a four-game Big East winning streak.
USF used the same recipe it has all season, one that Pitt also used over the past decade to become a league power: defense and rebounding.
The Bulls held a 36-30 edge in rebounds and limited the Panthers (15-13, 4-11) to 34.6 percent shooting.
Big East preseason Player of the Year Ashton Gibbs was held to two points - his lowest in more than two years. In a 63-51 win against the Panthers 12 days earlier, USF held Gibbs to four points.
The six combined points Gibbs had - on 3-of-16 shooting - in two games versus the Bulls is less than he's had in any single game over the past two seasons.
"We just trusted each other and played defense like we do all the time," said Collins, whose former career high was 15 points. "Just helping and always communicating, knowing where (Gibbs) is at at all times."
USF shot 48.9 percent from the field, meaning it shot 54.2 percent overall in the two games against Pitt.
The Bulls seized control almost immediately, building a 15-4 lead over the first 9:18 of the game. USF trailed only once, 27-26 with 1:43 remaining in the first half.
But the Bulls scored the first eight points of the second half. The closest the Panthers would get was 42-39 with 9:26 to play, before Toarlyn Fitzpatrick answered with a 3-pointer that ignited a 14-2 run and effectively put the game away.
"To come to Pittsburgh and win is very unusual," Heath said. "You've got to have some toughness, you've got to have some grit. Our guys showed a lot of that tonight."
Picked to finish 14th in the conference in the preseason poll, USF - in Heath's eyes - has earned an NCAA tournament berth by reaching the magic double-digit Big East victory mark.
Only three times in the past 15 years has a team finished with at least 10 Big East wins and failed to be invited to the NCAA tournament.
Pitt's streak of 10 consecutive appearances is in serious jeopardy with its current four-game losing streak. Count Panthers coach Jamie Dixon among those who believe USF is worthy.
"I really do," Dixon said. "They seem to be playing their best basketball right now. To me, that's the most important thing. In our conference, you hope a team that's playing better in January and February would be rewarded."
