Colleges

Bulls seniors shift focus to postseason

After losing five of six, USF must defeat Seton Hall to keep alive NCAA Tournament hopes.

By GREG AUMAN
Published February 26, 2007

TAMPA - Senior Night means roses and hugs from parents, but tonight at USF, it also means a must-win game for the Bulls, now squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

USF has lost five of six, including 75-63 at No. 19 Marquette Saturday night, while the Bulls' opponent, Seton Hall, has won nine of 10, making a push to take USF's ticket to the NCAAs.

Assuming the Big East puts eight teams in the NCAA field, USF 18-10, 8-7 and Seton Hall (18-9, 9-6) likely are battling for the eighth spot, with West Virginia (19-9, 10-5) ahead of both because of head-to-head victories.

"I can sense a little urgency," coach Jose Fernandez said Thursday before his team left for Milwaukee, playing two games in three days for only the second time since December. In addition, heavy snowfall in Milwaukee delayed the team's return home. The team flight didn't land in Tampa until 6:30 Sunday night.

There's more on the line for the final home game for seniors Jessica Dickson, Nalini Miller, Rachael Sheats and Tristen Webb.

"We definitely want to go out with a bang," said Dickson, who needs 16 points to pass Charlie Bradley as USF's all-time leading scorer, female or male. "We need to come home and win against Seton Hall on Senior Night, to play well our last time on that court."

The senior starters, Dickson, Miller and Sheats, were freshmen when USF made its first postseason appearance in the Women's NIT, then led the Bulls to their NCAA debut last season. This season's expectations started with a return to the NCAAs, a goal that now seems in serious jeopardy.

"You're anxious to see how your senior year is going to turn out," Sheats said. "We know what's at stake, but we're the type of team that, in that situation, can overcome that kind of adversity."

A win tonight wouldn't necessarily lock in an NCAA invitation. It would put USF no higher than eighth in league standings, which would set up a rematch with Seton Hall - with the same berth on the line - in the first round of the Big East tournament, which starts Saturday in Hartford, Conn.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3346. View his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/usf/.

Fast Facts:

Worth fighting for

These three teams are likely vying for the seventh and eighth spots that could be awarded to Big East teams in the NCAA Tournament. Here's how they compare - West Virginia has beaten USF and Seton Hall this season to own the head-to-head advantage.

Team Rec. Conf. RPI Last 10 Vs. RPI Top 50

West Virginia 19-9 10-5 49 8-2 2-7

Seton Hall 18-9 9-6 54 9-1 3-5

USF 18-10 8-7 50 4-6 2-9

USF women vs. Seton Hall

When/where: 7; Sun Dome, Tampa.

TV/radio: Catch 47; 860-AM.

Records: Seton Hall 18-9, 9-6 Big East; USF 18-10, 8-7.

Notable: Seton Hall is the most improved team in the conference after going 6-21 with a 3-13 Big East mark that included 11 straight losses to end last season. ... Six-foot senior forward Monique Blake (11.1 points, 8.2 rpg) and 6-2 Noteisha Womack (seven rebounds) are tough inside.

These three teams are likely vying for the seventh and eighth spots that could be awarded to Big East teams in the NCAA Tournament. Here's how they compare - West Virginia has beaten USF and Seton Hall this season to own the head-to-head advantage.

Team Rec. Conf. RPI Last 10 Vs. RPI top 50

West Virginia 19-9 10-5 49 8-2 2-7

Seton Hall 18-9 9-6 54 9-1 3-5

USF 18-10 8-7 50 4-6 2-9

[Last modified February 26, 2007, 05:39:04]