Next game: Temple (14-8, 6-3) at USF (11-11, 4-5)
When: Thursday, February 6, 7 p.m. at the Yuengling Center
Media: ESPN2 and Bulls Unlimited
Special event: AAC Honoring the Legacy of Amir Abdur-Rahim | Love Wins White Out
One of the high points last season for USF men’s basketball was a nationally televised Sunday afternoon win at home over 24th-ranked Florida Atlantic.
It was a day to remember with a raucous sell-out crowd at the Yuengling Center, and off the strength of that win the Bulls earned the first national ranking in program history.
As exhilarating as that day was, what happened Sunday in Boca Raton was nothing short of depression for USF.
The short-handed Bulls – missing Brandon Stroud and De`Ante Green ---- were dominated almost from the start by the home-standing Owls, ultimately falling 94-72 as an enthusiastic crowd reveled in the turnabout.
The Bulls never led in suffering their most lopsided loss of the season. They shot just 32,3 percent from the floor while the Owls filled it up at 56.1 percent.
“I told the guys in the locker room we'll tip our cap to them tonight. I'm never gonna give our guys an out,” interim coach Ben Fletcher said on his post-game radio show. “But their size definitely affected us today for sure, on both ends.”
Indeed, FAU dominated the game in the paint, and even the presence of 6-11 forward Jamille Reynolds for USF – back after missing the previous two games – and he scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Nine of his points came on free throws but was only 2-of-17 from the floor.
“I thought he was a little rusty. His timing was a little off, which is to be expected, but that's what he's capable of,” Fletcher said.
“I would love him to be a little more efficient, after missing two games and a lot of practice time, his stamina was going to be a little down. Kudos to him for fighting.”
The Bulls trailed by as much as 18 points in the second half before they made a mini-run. However, unlike its come-from-behind wins over Tulsa and Rice, USF never seriously cut into lead and slipped to 4-5 in American Athletic Conference play.
Fletcher was asked what he needs to see for the Bulls to make a late-season push.
“Healthy bodies,” he said without hesitation.
USF used only seven players in this game because of injuries. The injuries are part of the game, but the Bulls have battled much of the season to have a complete team.
“I still think we’ve got one of the better basketball teams in this league,” Fletcher said. “And, man, we're going to put together a run here to close this thing out. And everybody will see,”