By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 7, 2005
WHEN/WHERE: 7; Sun Dome, Tampa.
BROADCAST: Bright House Networks, Ch.47, 9 p.m. (taped); live audio broadcast at gousfbulls.com.
RECORDS: Louisville 9-4, USF 10-4.
COACHES: Louisville - Tom Collen (29-14, second season; 158-47 overall); USF - Jose Fernandez (49-76, fifth season).
NOTES: Both teams open their final Conference USA season, hoping for a strong showing before moving to the Big East. ... Louisville has won all 17 meetings, but USF goes in slightly ahead in the RPI ratings, 59th to Louisville's 60th. ... It's a showdown of four outstanding sophomores in USF forward Jessica Dickson (15.1 points per game) and center Nalini Miller (10.9) and Louisville center Jazz Covington (16.5) and forward Missy Taylor (15.8). ... The Bulls lead the conference in scoring defense and turnover margin, but a key tonight will be their post play, where their depth and size will be challenged. USF has no players taller than 6-foot-2, while Louisville has four 6-3 players. ... Look for some subtle upgrades to the Sun Dome, including new green carpeting and black curtains in the corners of the floor area, as well as carpeting and a fresh paint job on the interior northwest entrance, now designated as a "student lounge."
