The skinny
The uniforms remain primarily green and gold. Otherwise, this program has been completely overhauled, from the roster to the staff to the style of play. Corey Allen, Anthony Collins and Chris Perry are the only Bulls with Division I experience and are among only five scholarship players who didn't join the exodus from the program following coach Stan Heath's dismissal in March. At this stage, only Tennessee State has fewer players (two) with D-I experience. New coach Orlando Antigua, who inherits a program that hasn't averaged more than 62.7 points in conference play since 2010, will employ as brisk a tempo as possible. How brisk depends on the development of his team. "The pace (of practice) is just higher, the intensity's higher, everything is just at the next level," Perry said.
Reinforcements
Antigua replenished a barren roster with transfers (Roddy Peters), juco transfers (Nehemias Morillo, Jaleel Cousins), two Heath commitments who stuck around (Troy Holston, Dinero Mercurius) and at least one very intriguing freshman (Ruben Guerrero). Which of them will open eyes right away? "I think Nehemias (Morillo)," Perry said. "He's just so smooth and fluid. I like the way he plays."
Bracketology
Considering USF's greenness, an NIT bid might garner coach-of-the-year consideration for Antigua. The Bulls should be able to shoot better, which isn't saying much; they made a Division I-low 97 3-pointers last winter. The health of Collins, limited to eight games last season with recurring knee problems, will be critical. So will the emergence of another big body to ease pressure from Perry. Who will that be? Like so many other things regarding this club, it's not clear.
Roster
No. Player Pos. Ht. Cl.
0 Dre Clayton F 6-6 R-Fr.
1 Chris Perry F 6-8 So.
3 Roddy Peters* G 6-3 So.
4 Corey AllenG 6-1 Sr.
5 N. Morillo G 6-5 Jr.
11 Anthony Collins PG 6-1 Jr.
13 Jake Bodway G 6-2 R-Fr.
14 Justin David G 6-2 So.
15 Jaleel Cousins C 6-11 Jr.
25 Troy HolstonG 6-4 Fr.
33 Ruben Guerrero C/F 6-11 Fr.
34 D. Mercurius G 6-3 Fr.
35 Bo Zeigler G 6-6 R-Fr.
* Transfer who is ineligible for 2014-15
Schedule
November
14 Flagler College, 7; 16 Jackson State, 2; 20 at UAB, 7; 23 at N.C. State, 4; 25 Hofstra, 7; 29 Jacksonville, 2
December
2 at Alabama, 9; 6 at Detroit, 3; 15 Georgia Southern, 7; 18 Seton Hall, 7; 20 vs. Florida State at Sunrise, TBD; 23 Southeastern Louisiana, 1; 28 Bowling Green, 3; 31 at SMU, 5*
January
3 East Carolina, 7*; 6 Connecticut, 7*; 11 at Tulane, 3*; 17 Tulsa, 11 a.m.*; 22 at Temple, 6:30*; 25 vs. Connecticut (site TBD), noon*; 28 SMU, 7*; 31 at Tulsa, 1*
February
4 Temple, 6:30*; 7 at Cincinnati, 8*; 11 at UCF, 7*; 14 Memphis, noon*; 17 Houston, 7*; 21 at East Carolina, 11 a.m.*
March
1 at Houston, 3*; 4 UCF, 7*; 7 Tulane, 4*; 12 AAC Tournament at Hartford, Conn.
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Explore all your options* American Athletic Conference game
Joey Knight, Times staff writer