Our #12 ranked Louisville Cardinals (20-5, 8-4 Big East) hit the road for another Big East battle with the South Florida Bulls (10-14, 1-11 Big East) on Sunday. This is the second time these teams have met this season. The Cards beat the Bulls easily in the last game back on January 12th 64 to 38. Louisville leads the all-time series 26-4 and 9-1 in the Big East regular season.
Playing against the Bulls is like watching basketball in quick sand. They love slowing down the tempo to a crawling pace and locking down their opponents on defense. This season was expected to look different for them thanks to a deeper, more versatile roster and the Bulls were hoping to be able to score more and be much more effective on the offensive end of the floor. But so far that hasn’t been the case. They rank 15th which is last in the Big East in scoring offense with 53.5 points per game, 15th in field goal percentage at 36.7% a game and 15th in 3 point percentage at 26.4% a game. They do shoot their free-throws well and are currently 5th in the Big East at 72.2% a game. Stan Heath is know for his defense and this year that hasn’t changed. The Bulls rank 8th in the Big East in scoring defense at 65.2 per game, 7th in 3 point defense holding teams to 32.4% a game, 8th on steals at 6.3 per game and 7th in turnover margin at +.50 a game. The Bulls are also struggling on the boards this season in a very physical Big East and they are ranked dead last in offensive rebounding, 14th in defensive rebounding, and 15th in rebounding margin.
Here are some other national ranks to consider. The Bulls are ranked 323rd nationally scoring 60 points a game, 278th with 32.4 rebounds a game, 271st with 11.5 assist per game and 321st in field goal percentage shooting 39.5% a game. Kenpom has their adj efficiency on offense at 99.3 ranked 180. He has their adj efficiency on defense at 98.3 ranked 141. He has them ranked 158 overall. Their current RPI is 124 and they are dead last in the Big East standings.
In-conference offense: 3pt-26.4%, 2pt-36.6%, FT-72.2%
In-conference defense: Turnovers 12.1pg, Steals-6.3pg, Blocks-3.0pg
Coach Stan Heath: “Every year you’re different,” “You’ve got to turn the page. We have a new roster, and we have to play to our strengths.”
The Bulls Players:
-Projected Starters
Kore White SR (3.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.5 apg) 6-8 F is a Florida Atlantic transfer. He can block shots, rebound and has a good shooting touch. He’s a solid player. He has missed time this season with a back injury. He shoots 47.4% from the field, 46.7% from the 3 point line and 50% from the free-throw line.
Toarlyn Fitzpatrick SR (10.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 apg) 6-8 F is a big defender and the teams most effective defensive rebounder. He is shooting 38.9% from the field, 32.6% from the 3 point line, and 73.5% from the free-throw line.
Victor Rudd JR (11.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.1 apg) 6-9 F has great athletic skill and is a real force inside and out. When he plays up to his potential he has star potential. He is shooting 38.8% from the field, 27% from the 3 point line, and 69.8% from the free-throw line.
Anthony Collins SOPH (9.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 6.6 apg) 6-1 G is fearless at both ends of the floor. He is a pass first guard but can score when he wants to. He is one of the best guards in the Big East Louisville will play this season. He is 5th in the Big East in assist with 5.4 a game, 10th in Free Throw% at 80.6%, 9th in assist/turnover ratio at 1.8.
Javontae Hawkins FR (1.9 ppg, 0.7 rpg) 6-5 G is the Bulls top rated recruit. ESPN rated him the No. 33 forward in the country. He is long, skilled and can get to the basket. He is a solid catch-and-shoot guy.
-Bench
Martino Brock JR (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1apg) 6-6 G is a transfer from South Alabama. He is strong off the dribble and can step back to hit the jumper. He’s very versatile in the backcourt. He’s a great defender and aggressive on the offensive end. He is shooting 35.1% from the field, 25% from the 3 point line and 60.4% from the free-throw line.
Jawanza Polan SR (10.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) 6-4 G is a feast or famine type of player but can hurt you if he does get it going on the offensive end as Louisville found out last year when they lost to the Bulls as he scored 16 in that game.
Jordan Omogbehin FR (0.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg) 7-3 C missed last season due to a knee injury. He is a big man and can be a defensive force in the paint.
Zach LeDay FR (4.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.2 apg) 6-7 F has been a key reserve for the Bulls this season. He can shoot the 3, run the floor and defend some.
South Florida has been struggling this season but they do have a decent bench and a group of capable athletes. They play great perimeter defense and will do a good job of keeping Russ and Peyton out of the lane. Once again our front court players will have to step up in this one to open up some offense against this good Bulls defense.
Are the South Florida Bulls capable of getting the win on Sunday? Yes they are capable but it would take an epic collapse by a Louisville team that seems to have things back on track. The Bulls will be outmanned in this one. Louisville is just on another level this season. No upset this weekend folks.
The Beak Prediction:
Louisville 70 South Florida 52