Sports: Attention centers on three big men

Attention centers on three big men

Will McDonald, Gerrick Morris and Mike Bernard are the X-factors this season.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

TAMPA -- The preseason hype surrounding the South Florida men's basketball team is more prominent than perhaps at any time in school history.

The Bulls have the Conference USA preseason player of the year in junior forward B.B. Waldon, and he is joined by teammate Altron Jackson on the preseason all-conference team.

The coaches are confident their top two players will be able to shoot and there has been an emphasis on improved defense.

But what the Bulls have lacked in previous seasons, even some of the most successful ones, is a dominant man in the post -- someone who can bang inside with the best C-USA has to offer. Forcing opponents to respect the inside game would further open the perimeter shooters.

This season, the Bulls may have found their man -- or men as the case may be.

With the return of center Will McDonald and the addition of redshirt freshman Gerrick Morris and transfer Mike Bernard, the Bulls may have the tools to construct a viable inside presence.

"It's the question mark of this team," coach Seth Greenberg said. "Everybody knows what the other guys (Waldon, Jackson) can do. These are the guys people don't know about. We will have to play that position by committee. That's the hand we're dealt. They all bring something different to the table, depending on the matchups and style of play."

The players have been preparing vigorously in the off-season to solidify their roles because, as McDonald sees it, better post play could have made the difference in a post-season bid for the Bulls last season.

"A lot of us were kind of weak, so we dedicated our whole summer to working out and getting stronger," said McDonald, who averaged 1.9 points in limited playing time. "All of us are stronger, and I think that will help a lot. In our conference, we probably have the biggest post players."

Morris said the post players put an emphasis on getting stronger and playing better.

"We lifted, did individual workouts and worked a lot on our post moves," he said. "We really dedicated ourselves in the weight room because you've got teams like Marquette, Cincinnati and Saint Louis that have a bunch of big bruisers and we have to be able to fight back and try to match their size."

The Bulls are big inside. McDonald is 6 feet 11, 263 pounds. Morris is 6-10, 205 and Bernard is 6-11, 280.

"Each of them possesses different talents that we hope, by committee, will be an effective group," Greenberg said. "Morris is the best shot-blocker of the group and he has a natural ability to change and block shots. McDonald is the most physically imposing. He has great lower body strength and the ability to wedge people against the basket. And Mike is probably the most ready today, in terms of athleticism. But he doesn't have the experience needed to play at this level."

Bernard is a former community college player from England who is a solid shot blocker but is untested in Division I competition.

"Right now, I'm just getting used to what this team does," Bernard said. "I'm learning the plays and I have to get a lot stronger in my lower body. I feel like I'm picking up a lot more now than I did in the summertime."

Bernard said he feels some pressure to step in and perform well early.

"There is a little bit of pressure (on the post players) because we know we're the main ones to rebound the ball," Bernard said. "If we do that, it takes a lot more pressure off the outside guys. We have a lot of shooters, so having the inside game opens it up for everybody. I'm trying to get my legs strong so I can establish myself to go up for the rebounds and be more explosive."

Greenberg said he isn't expecting one of the three players to be the everyday starter. Instead, it will depend on whom the Bulls are playing and what is needed on any given night.

"Each team will present a different opportunity (for the three) and they need to be each other's best cheerleader," Greenberg said.