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2015-16 USF Bulls men's basketball preview

 
South Florida Bulls guard Anthony Collins (11) celebrates with his teammates South Florida Bulls guard Bo Zeigler (35) and South Florida Bulls forward Chris Perry (1) during a timeout in the second half at the Sun Dome in Tampa on Saturday, January 3, 2014. OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times 

South Florida Bulls guard Anthony Collins (11) celebrates with his teammates South Florida Bulls guard Bo Zeigler (35) and South Florida Bulls forward Chris Perry (1) during a timeout in the second half at the Sun Dome in Tampa on Saturday, January 3, 2014. OCTAVIO JONES | Times
Published Nov. 8, 2015

The skinny

The Bulls appear better equipped to operate second-year coach Orlando Antigua's fourth-gear philosophy, which should translate to an uptick in the victory total. Antigua's roster makeover continued in the offseason, leaving USF with only three scholarship holdovers from the Stan Heath era. Roddy Peters, a Maryland transfer who sat out last season, is a fleet, physical point guard who could alter the offense's complexion. The low post should be fortified with 6-foot-8 junior Chris Perry's return from a heart issue and the transformed 6-11 frames of senior Jaleel Cousins (down from 270 pounds to 255) and sophomore Ruben Guerrero (up from 225 to 235).

Who's in charge?

The return of Perry, who missed last season's final 13 games, provides USF with a brawny inside presence and a veteran voice to which the Bulls will lend an ear. Antigua added another upperclassman by signing 6-8 senior Gonzaga transfer Angel Nunez, a deceptively graceful floor runner. Peters, by his admission an "expressive" player, can evolve into the on-court engineer if he keeps his emotions in check.

Who's missing?

Veteran PG Anthony Collins, whose offensive style didn't seem to jibe with Antigua's, will play his final year at Texas A&M, but that may not be the Bulls' biggest offseason blow. G Troy Holston Jr., arguably the team's best offensive player at the end of last season (17.5 ppg in his last six games), tore an ACL in July. Holston isn't walking with a limp and is believed to be flourishing in his rehab, but it's unclear if he'll play at all this season.

Bracketology

For a team in transition that remains very young (three seniors), any postseason berth would be a major feat. Antigua is expected to sign three more players, including four-star F Troy Baxter, on Wednesday, meaning USF could be a more legitimate NCAA Tournament contender in 2016-17. Much like the football team with Willie Taggart, look for gradual — but not overwhelming — improvement in Year 2.

The last word

"How fast we're going to be playing (is exciting). It reminds me of my high school team. We're going to be pressing a lot more this year, like all upbeat-type stuff, and a lot of dunking, a lot more athletic ability on this team. I feel like this team will be a lot better than last season, most definitely." — Forward Chris Perry, 2013 Bartow High graduate

Roster

No. Player Pos. Ht. Cl.

0 Jahmal McMurray PG 6-0 Fr.

1 Chris Perry F 6-8 Jr.

2 Geno Thorpe G 6-3 Jr.*

3 Roddy Peters PG 6-4 So.

5 Nehemias Morillo G 6-5 Sr.

10 Tre' Bryant G 5-11 Jr.

13 Jake Bodway G 6-2 So.

14 Justin David G 6-2 So.

15 Jaleel Cousins C 6-11 Sr.

21 Tulio Da Silva F 6-8 Fr.*

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22 Angel Nunez F 6-8 Sr.-TR

25 Troy Holston Jr. G 6-4 So.

33 Ruben Guerrero C 6-11 So.

35 Bo Zeigler F 6-6 RS-So.

42 Luis Santos F 6-8 .Fr.

* Eligible to practice but not play

Schedule

November 9 Eckerd (Exh.), 7; 13 Troy, 8:30; 16 NJIT, 7; 19 George Washington, 7; 21 Boston University, 7; 24 Albany, 7; 27 vs. Kentucky (at Miami), 5; 29 Savannah State, 2

December 3 at Delaware, 7; 5 at South Carolina, 4; 13 N.C. State, 4; 16 Jacksonville, 7; 19 UAB, 7; 22 at Seton Hall, 6:30; 30 Houston, 2*

January 2 at SMU, TBA*; 6 at UCF, 7*; 10 Cincinnati, noon*; 12 Tulane, 7*; 16 at Memphis, noon*; 20 UCF, 6:15*; 23 at Houston, 4*; 27 at Tulane, 8*; 31 Temple, 2*

February 4 at Cincinnati, 8*; 7 SMU, 2*; 14 at Temple, 3*; 16 at East Carolina, 7*; 20 Memphis, 11*; 25 Connecticut, 7:30*

March 2 East Carolina, 9*; 5 at Tulsa, 5*; 10-13 AAC Tournament (at Orlando)

* AAC game

Joey Knight, Times staff writer