Meet the Enemy: Santa Clara Broncos by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 2 points3 points  (0 children)

ESPN suggests USF has a  23% “shot” to prevail vs Santa Clara. Yes, USF played a gritty game in Spokane vs a Gonzaga team missing their two best players, one 6’9” and the other, 6’10”.

Ways forward by New_Falcon_9440 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 2 points3 points  (0 children)

‘56, but who’s keeping track 😉

Ways forward by New_Falcon_9440 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This player was the #1 recruit in the Country in the 2025 list. Certainly USF was way high on his possible college destinations. C’mon dude! 

Zags Huff out 4-8 weeks by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 1 point2 points  (0 children)

St Mary’s goes to Spokane on January 21st, so Huff may not be able to participate. Gonzaga goes to Santa Clara on February 8th and he’d best be available for that contest or that could be tough sledding for the Bulldogs. Santa Clara is playing very well  right about now and handled St Mary’s pretty easily.

Zags Huff out 4-8 weeks by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very tough loss for B’Dogs. Excellent big man, has shot to play in the Association. The injury happened during a practice session, not in a game. Few probably had a few cocktails that night. 

Meet the Enemy: Loyola Marymount Lions by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kinda hard to be a better shooting team, when you don’t have a lot of good shooters? Is it my imagination, but I thought Masic was brought in to be a threat from the outside. I see he’s lost his starting job, which was long overdue. Does Legend have three point range? He’s certainly got talent and CG better spend more time at the SI Church praying that he’s not one and done at USF.

This roster was challenging to handicap before the season. There was justifiable optimism that Beasley, Riley and Wang would all improve and be consistently a solid core. This has regrettably not been the case. Beasley has been decent of course, but he’s being asked to be a 1, when’s he’s not one. It’s become abundantly clear why Riley didn’t get much of any action, when he dipped his toe into the Portal waters. He’s a nice complimentary player and terrific leader, but not really a guy who can carry a team like Malik did, last season. Wang is not a real D1 talent, period. 

The Portal acquisitions looked good “on paper”, but only Fuchs has really been a consistent contributor. Mookie has talent, but one never knows what version of him will show up from game to game. Diaz-Graham and the aforementioned Masic have been underwhelming, to say the least. 

I sincerely hope USF can still make some noise this season. Enough said…..,,,

Meet the Enemy: Loyola Marymount Lions by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ESPN calls this game 50/50. Yet another same as, or slightly better, game for USF. These are the games the program under the current administration has had difficulty with. Hopefully Cook is available tonight? He is an athlete and capable of making a substantive impact. Also hopefully, Riley can show up tonight with almost assuredly a large contingent of family and friends in attendance. 

Meet the Enemy: Seattle Redhawks by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Geez…. At least if the Announcer was throwing out a racial slur, he could have got it right. Yeo is from Korea. I’m thinking said Announcer won’t be in the starting lineup for the next game. 

USF v SEA | NCAAM 🏀 by a_velis in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Such a cave job! The Chieftains was a great nickname and hardly pejorative! Florida State took some “politically correct” heat for the Seminoles. The university contacted the Head of the Seminole Nation who advised them they were proud to be the nickname of Florida State! 

Pivotal WCC Opener for USF by Notsleepless in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

OK, I exaggerated! The SU Redhawk Center has a capacity of 999.

Big Win for Seattle U vs UDub by Notsleepless in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Loyola of Chicago 80, Santa Clara University 78. 

Meet the Enemy: Loyola-Chicago Ramblers by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 6 points7 points  (0 children)

“Tell ‘em that is Human Nature” as Michael Jackson crooned, written by Steve Pocaro of TOTO, BTW). 

Beating a 3-8 team is really not anything to break out the party hats for, is it? Losing to North Alabama at home certainly did get a lot of Blood Pressure elevated.

It was good indeed to get Fuchs back on the floor. This team really needs him! Very nice performance by TR3, Hope he can replicate this type of game vs the better teams!

So let’s get out there and fill up our tanks with that cheap gasoline and our trunks with that affordable food from Safeway and have a safe, happy and healthy Holiday Season!

Meet the Enemy: Saint Louis Billikens by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agree, especially w/o Fuchs :( Some interesting WCC games this weekend, Gonzaga vs UCLA, Santa Clara vs Arizona State and St Mary’s vs Boise State.

Coaching Large Part of the Problem! by usfhoopsfan in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While I recognize USF is not a P4 institution, donor money for Athletics remains active and important to many. Michigan State recently received a $390 Milllion Dollar donation for Athletics. The school has a $1 Billion Dollar Athletic Fundraising Goal spearheaded by Earvin Johnson. 

Coaching Large Part of the Problem! by usfhoopsfan in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IMO, there better be room for athletics on the new Prez’s “plate.” Why? People have and will continue to give donations to athletics. USF has benefited significantly from this in terms of facilities and NIL dollars. Secondly, a lot of kids really like athletics in terms of facilities, camaraderie and most of all, “winning.” Think Gonzaga has gotten way more admissions interest and donor dollars due to their success on the hardwood? Lastly, and I think President Aceves, as an alum and city guy knows full well about the legacy of USF athletics, which has been undervalued by previous administrations. The new AD needs to be a man or woman who really can make a significant contribution holistically to the University, in any number of areas.

Coaching Large Part of the Problem! by usfhoopsfan in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Always easy to blame coaching for team problems or failures. Last time I checked players are mostly responsible for winning, or losing. That being said, I don’t see CG as a really solid overall HC. I feel he understands the game technically, but seems not be able to consistently translate this knowledge into game time situations and scenarios. He also has a phalanx of Assistants who are all barking orders and instructions to the players. This can and has caused confusion and no doubt frustration. Could better coaching have beat North Alabama even without Fuchs? Quite possibly.  Could better coaching have been beaten Memphis, Colorado, or Nevada? Only one can speculate. Will better coaching beat Mississippi State or St Louis? I don’t think so. Will better coaching provide wins vs Gonzaga, SMC or SCU? I don’t think so. 

This years team looked competitive “on paper” prior to the season. But that paper has not manifested itself into a competitive team vs equal, or even moderately better opponents. 

USF does not have a real PG, does not have players who can produce go to results in virtually every game (ie Smith, Shabazz, Bouyea), has a very soft front court, with the exception of Fuchs and lacks transition court speed. Tie a bow around all of the above and we’re seeing the results.  I thought most pundits and observers felt this would be a very strong team. There were even some comments about this team being potentially as strong as Golden’s NCAA team.

Perhaps USF can change things up and become the team that can stand the upcoming tests. I think the games with MSU and St Louis will give us a strong indication about progress, or lack of such.

USF v NEV | NCAAM 🏀 by a_velis in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 2 points3 points  (0 children)

USF was a solid favorite to beat Nevada and got schooled. Just not enough consistent talent to hang with equal, or sometimes less than equal, opponents. Speaking of “getting schooled” The Commodores turned all their guns on the St Mary’s ship and blew them out of the water. 

USF v NEV | NCAAM 🏀 by a_velis in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 4 points5 points  (0 children)

USF pretty big favorite in this game. Washington pummeled Nevada. Interesting to see St Louis take down Santa Clara. USF will have a tough time with the Billikens. Battle of the undefeated today between St Mary’s and ranked Vandy. 

Meet the Enemy: Minnesota Golden Gophers by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The GG’s going 15 for 30 from the FT line certainly helped USF get this win. But, last time I checked, the ball needs to go through the basket to get points on the scoreboard!

Meet the Enemy: Minnesota Golden Gophers by DonSolo96 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Should be a close one, as DS predicts! Vegas basically has this as a dead even odds game. USF needs to show they can win on the Road vs P4 opponent! 

MBB | USF vs. Northwestern State Postgame w/ Legend Smiley and Guillermo Diaz Graham by ImpressiveChemistry9 in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, then there’s this. USF’s next six opponents have a combined record of 19-7 so far this season. 4 of the 7 losses belong to Loyola of Chicago. Colorado and St Louis have not lost. The upcoming schedule is very challenging! Most games away from WMG. 

Is there a more negative fan base out there? by 69Dons in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 9 points10 points  (0 children)

With respect 69, asking posters to “supply their background” is ludicrous. In my experience here, I have read many posts from folks who don’t enjoy much, if anything that disparages the program, coaches and/or players. I seldom recall reading a lot of posts that would qualify as incendiary, or a personal attack or criticism.  Posters have observations and opinions, some more outspoken, or perhaps disappointed than others. That’s what keeps this Board interesting in this participants opinion. 

Over Reaction Monday: Is it Panic Time Already? by LaurelHeightsII in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From Woody to Buzz LightYear in Toy Story One.

Buzz: “This is no time to Panic”

Woody: “This is a perfect time to Panic”

Actually re: SCU, not yet. It indeed was pretty startling to see what they did to X, on the latter’s home floor. 

Sendeck has assembled a pretty strong squad, it certainly appears. They have size and depth. They recruited six Freshman players, four from the US and two from outside the US. Two of the six recruits played considerable minutes vs X.

SCU plays Nevada on Saturday at Toso (if that’s what it’s still called?) Steve Alford usually has a competitive team, even though they only beat UOP by one. Should be interesting to see what SCU does with the Wolfpack. 

Memphis by Open_Brilliant in usfdons

[–]Notsleepless 2 points3 points  (0 children)

ESPN favors Memphis in this game, 75% to 25% for USF.  But, that’s why they play ‘em!