Welcome back to the best 14 player countdown on the USF basketball team this year. When we last left you, JAWANZA!
Poland checked in at number 9 not for his play, but for the long length of time he will miss this year due to his back injury. Up today is one of the new players on the team, and that could only mean one of two players left on the countdown. So the 8th Most Important Player For USF Basketball this year is Anthony Collins!
Collins comes to USF via Westbury Christian School in Houston, where he chose USF over offers from Baylor, Nebraska, and Texas Tech. Collins was a 3 time All-State selection, and led WCS to the state championship game his senior year while averaging 13 PTS/8.3 AST/3 STL a game.
At this point I'm pegging Collins to be the backup to Blake Nash at point guard. From what I've read, Collins has impressed everyone with his defensive tenacity and that's always a good thing if you want to see the floor with Stan Heath.
While there will be some growing pains as he gets acclimated to playing in the Big East, but the tough non-conference schedule should get him going before being thrown into the fire in Big East play. I don't think he will light up the statsheet this season, but as long as he runs the offense well and plays hard on defense he should do fine in the 10-15 minutes of playing time Collins will get a game.
So who do you think will be number 7 in TMIFUSFB countdown? Your answers are below.