USF Men's Basketball - Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic Advance
Dec. 18, 2009
By Stacy Hicklin
USF Beat Writer
SAN FRANCISCO -- The University of San Francisco men's basketball coach Rex Walters views his team's upcoming tournament as one-stop-shopping.
In his estimation, the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic at the South Point Casino Arena offers it all.
"It's a neutral court situation with good competition that's close to San Francisco," Walters said. "And we get to play two games in two days like we'll have to do down the line during the WCC Tournament, which is also played the same city. So there were a lot of positives to scheduling this tournament."
The Dons (3-7) kick off tournament play against the University of South Florida (8-2) at 2 p.m. (PST) on Saturday, Dec. 19, followed by a 4:15 p.m. game on Sunday against Southern Illinois (5-2). Fellow West Coast Conference program - San Diego - is the fourth team taking part in the classic.
For the Dons, the tournament is another chance against a high-major program and NCAA Tournament caliber program. The Dons have come up empty this season against Pac-10 and Big XII programs along with another loss to perennial NCAA Tournament team in BYU.
"We've done well competing with other-mid major programs, but have really struggled against upper echelon teams," Walters said. "We haven't given ourselves chances in these types of games."
South Florida, a team that featured an already tight rotation of just seven players, recently lost leading scorer Augustus Gilchrist to injury. Bulls' head coach Stan Heath told the Tampa Tribune that Gilchrist, who averages 18.8 points and 7.4 rebounds, will be out at least until the end of January with a "severely sprained ankle."
Still in the lineup, however, is junior guard Dominique Jones and his 18.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
"We have to limit the touches for Dominique Jones and keep him from getting a clear lane to the basket," Walters said. "South Florida is good in transition. They get the ball off the glass or turn you over."
On Sunday, the Dons face a balanced Saluki team that has started eight different players over the course of the season. Southern Illinois has four players averaging double-digit scoring, led by guard Kevin Dilland with 15.4 points. The sophomore also leads the team with 5.3 assists per game.
The Salukis have thrived on getting to the free throw line, averaging 16.9 points a game from the charity stripe.
"Southern Illinois has continued to be tough through three different coaches with a reputation for having hard-nosed players," Walter said. "And they've gotten more athletic now under Chris Lowery."
SOUTH FLORIDA PROBABLE STARTERS (As of 12/17/09)
G. #3 Chris Howard, 6-3, 200, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.6 apg)
G. #20 Dominique Jones, 6-4, 215, Jr. (18.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.7 apg)
G. #33 Mike Mercer, 6-5, 195, Sr. (6.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.4 apg)
F. #31 Jarrid Famous, 6-11, 240, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.6 apg)
F. #32 Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, 6-8, 230, Fr. (3.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.6 apg)
LAST MEETING: First Meeting
SERIES RECORD/STREAK: First Meeting
ON THE AIR/ON THE WEB:
Television: None
Radio Broadcast: Green 960 - Pat Olson
Internet Audio: Yes - USFDons.com (Yahoo Broadcast)
Live Stats: Yes Official Website: GoUSFBulls.com
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS PROBABLE STARTERS (As of 12/14/09)
G. #1 Kevin Dillard, 6-0, 170, So. (15.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.3 apg)
G. #11 Tony Freeman, 6-1, 195, Sr. (13.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg)
G. #34 John Freeman, 6-5, 190, Jr. (4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.7 apg)
C. #55 Nick Evans, 6-11, 245, So. (10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.7 blocks)
F. #45 Carlton Fay, 6-8, 225, Jr. (11.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.1 apg)
LAST MEETING: USF 71, SIU 55 (12/21/67) - Sun Carnival Tourney
SERIES RECORD/STREAK: USF leads 1-0/USF won 1
BEFORE USF: Southern Illinois vs. San Diego 12/19/09
ON THE AIR/ON THE WEB:
Television: None
Radio Broadcast: Green 960 - Pat Olson
Internet Audio: Yes - USFDons.com (Yahoo Broadcast)
Live Stats: Yes
Official Website: SIUSalaukis.com
LAS VEGAS HOLIDAY HOOPS CLASSIC TIME CHANGES:
San Francisco's games in the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic are as follows:
Sat. 12/19 USF v. South Florida - 2:00 PM
Sun. 12/20 USF vs. Southern Illinois - 4:15 PM
Please note both times are an hour later than the times listed on schedule cards and previous publications.
UP NEXT FOR THE DONS: After competing in the 2009 Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic, USF returns home for its final contest in 2009. The Dons welcome Cal State Bakersfield to War Memorial Gym Wednesday, December 23. Tip-off against the Roadrunners is set for 5:00 PM.