USF's Stan Heath, like most college basketball coaches, is in town for the Final Four every year because it coincides with the coaches' convention, but when it comes to actually attending the games, he admits he's hit or miss from year to year.

Heath said Monday that he'll make time to be at this weekend's games for a number of reasons, with his wife and two sons with him as well. Heath is a Detroit native who spent much of his early coaching years in Michigan. The Big East has a pair of Final Four teams in Connecticut and Villanova, but Heath said his allegiance is with Michigan State, where he spent five seasons as an assistant under Tom Izzo, with three Final Fours and a national championship in 2000.

"I love the Big East, but Michigan State is family to me," Heath said. "Tom and I just got off the phone last night, and I've got to root for Michigan State. That's what kicked things off for me in a big way -- Michigan State was a big part of my life for a long time, and some of my closest friends in basketball are there."

Heath said the Big East's continued success in the NCAA Tournament will help the Bulls, showcasing the depth and strength of the conference. He points to Villanova -- which led USF by just two late in Tampa in January before pulling out a nine-point win -- as a team that wasn't among the top four seeds in the Big East tournament, but is now in the national Final Four.

"It's been a historic year for our league," Heath said. "I think both teams have a legitimate chance to do something here, and our league has shown true to form, showing the strength it had this season."

Heath has two weeks until the spring signing period starts on April 15, and the NCAA takes eight days off from recruiting with a quiet period from this Wednesday until next Thursday, with no in-person contact and coaches limited to phone conversations with recruits. We'll get more on USF's recruiting in another post ...