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© St. Petersburg Times, published February 16, 2002
WHEN/WHERE: 8; Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, Fort Worth.
TV/RADIO: Fox Sports Net; WQYK-AM 1010.
RECORDS: USF 16-8, 6-5 C-USA; TCU 14-12, 4-8.
COACHES: South Florida -- Seth Greenberg (90-81, sixth season; 195-151 overall). TCU -- Billy Tubbs (154-92, eighth season; 593-294 overall).
KEY PLAYERS: South Florida -- Altron Jackson, G/F, 6-6 Sr. (19.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.0 spg); B.B. Waldon, PF, 6-8 Sr. (12.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 spg); Will McDonald, C, 6-11 Jr. (13.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg). TCU -- Junior Blount, G, 6-0 Jr. (18.0 ppg, 4.1 apg); Jamal Brown, F, 6-7 Jr. (11.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg); Bingo Merriex, PF, 6-9 Jr. (12.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg).
NOTES: Contrary to published reports, the Bulls' chance for an NCAA at-large bid is not dead. It likely would be, though, with a loss to the surging Horned Frogs, who have won three straight in C-USA. USF's rating on collegrpi.com dropped from 40 to 51 after Tuesday's 91-75 loss at Houston. Wins in the final five regular-season games (including Wednesday at home against Memphis), plus a strong C-USA tournament showing (minimum two wins), would make USF 23-9 and likely lift it into the NCAAs. Anything less probably means NIT. Much less means a reprise of last season, i.e. no postseason. "Time to bounce back and try to win 20 games," Greenberg said. ... TCU is the league's highest scoring team (86.3 ppg), and USF's 117-108 win over the Horned Frogs on Jan. 5 is the highest scoring game in C-USA history. "I don't want to play a 100-point game with them again," Greenberg said. ... Waldon had 13 rebounds, a season-high nine offensive, at Houston. He needs 44 to pass Hakim Shahid (893) to become USF's all-time leader. ... PG Reggie Kohn (leg stress fracture), SF Greg Brittian (likely foot stress fracture) and Waldon (sore knees) haven't been practicing but will start today, Greenberg said. .
WHEN/WHERE: 3; Tad Smith Coliseum, Oxford.
TV/RADIO: Ch. 38; WDAE-AM 620. RECORDS: Florida 19-4, 8-3 SEC; Mississippi 18-7, 7-5.
COACHES: UF -- Billy Donovan (121-60, sixth season; 156-80 overall). Mississippi -- Rod Barnes (88-42, fourth season).
KEY PLAYERS: UF -- Matt Bonner, F, 6-10 Jr. (16.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg); Udonis Haslem, C, 6-9 Sr. (16.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg). Mississippi -- Justin Read, F, 6-8 So. (14.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg); Aaron Harper, G/F, 6-7 So. (11.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg).
NOTES: A win would give Florida four straight 20-win seasons for the first time. ... Florida's 85-70 win over Georgia on Tuesday put the Gators in sole possession of first place in the East. ... Florida is a league-best 4-1 in conference road games and plays three of its last five on the road, including two ranked teams. Ole Miss is 11-1 at home, with nine players who return from last year's Sweet 16 team. ... Four Rebels are averaging in double figures in scoring. ... Since a three-game losing streak ended four games ago, the Gators defense has been stellar, holding opponents to 58.8 points per game and 37 percent shooting from the field. ... Florida has lost three of its past four games against the Rebels.