Colleges

Men's hoops: USF up next

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published February 9, 2008

USF at DePaul

When/where: 2 p.m.; Allstate Arena, Chicago

TV/radio: ESPNU; 1250-AM

Records: USF 10-13, 1-9 Big East; DePaul 9-13, 4-6

Scouting report: Could this be the Bulls' first Big East road win after 21/2 seasons without one? DePaul is 6-5 at home and has dropped four straight since a 4-2 start. The Blue Demons are second worst in the league in defense and rebounding margin, both of which could help USF today. DePaul's top scorer is 6-foot-4 guard Draelon Burns (17.5 points), with two freshmen next in 6-4 forward Dar Tucker (12.9) and 6-10 center Mac Koshwal (11.4). The Bulls start with senior center Kentrell Gransberry (16.5 points, 10.7 rebounds), with freshman guard Dominique Jones next at 15.7 points per game. Junior B.J. Ajayi has shined at power forward, scoring 20 in the past two games after totaling 26 in his first 19 with the Bulls. Only the top 12 teams make the Big East Tournament, and USF is three games out of that chase with eight to play. A win would give the Bulls momentum heading into a two-game homestand next week against conference powers Syracuse and Connecticut.

[Last modified February 8, 2008, 19:38:32]