Your USF Bulls (6-5) are finally at full strength for the first time all season as they take on the Cleveland State Vikings (10-1) at the St. Pete Times Forum. Game is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be aired regionally on Bright House Sports Network along with being streamed on ESPN3.com. If you can't get in front of a TV or your computer, Jim Lighthall and Todd Kalas will have the call for you on 1250 WHNZ. Here are your probable starting lineups for tonight.
| Cleveland State |
USF | |
| 6'1" Sr. Trevon Harmon | G | 6'1" Fr. Anthony Collins |
| 6'2" Sr. Jeremy Montgomery |
G | 6'4" Jr. Shaun Noriega |
| 6'4" Sr. D'Aundray Brown | G | 6'5" Sr. Hugh Robertson |
| 6'7" Jr. Tim Kamczyc |
F | 6'8" Jr. Toarlyn Fitzpatrick |
| 6'9" Sr. Aaron Pogue |
F | 6'10" Sr. Augustus Gilchrist |
After missing the first 11 games due to injury and a 2-game suspension, Jr. G Jawanza Poland is finally set to make his season debut for USF. Poland was 2nd on the team last year with 9.1 PTS, and with the way our offense has looked the past few games, his arrival couldn't have come at a better time. Shaun Noriega should get the start at SG, but Poland will get his fair share of minutes on the wing tonight.
Cleveland State has become one of the better mid-majors in the country, and this year is no different. With Butler taking a step back this year, the Vikings are the clear leader in the Horizon League this season. While CSU won't have Norris Cole and his hi-top fade to cause fits, the Vikings have three excellent guards who will cause problems all night. The trio of D'Aundray Brown (12.7 PTS/4.7 REB/3.1 STL), Jeremy Montgomery (9.2 PTS/2.3 REB/3.2 AST/1.5 STL), and Trevon Harmon (11.4 PTS/2.5 REB/2.5 AST/1.5 STL).
Brown has emerged from Cole's shadow as the go to scorer for the Vikings, getting his points with his mid-range game and driving towards the basket. Montgomery and Harmon are the three-point shooters on the team, and while they aren't the best from distance (26% and 35% respectively), the sheer amount of attempts will have the ball go in eventually. The three are excellent defenders, and CSU's pressure defense force almost 20 turnovers a game which lead to a lot of easy baskets for the Vikings.
Rounding out the starting lineup are forwards Tim Kamczyc (7.5 PTS/3.1 REB/2.3 AST) and Aaron Pogue (7.1 PTS/5.0 REB/). Neither are really known for their offensive prowess, Kamczyc can hit the outside shot when asked to on occasion.
CSU does go 10 deep in their rotation, with 6'8" Fr. Anton Grady (6.4 PTS/4.5 REB/1.5 BLK) 6'4" Fr. Sebastian Douglas (2.8 PTS/2.2 REB), and 5'9" Fr. Charlie Lee (2.7 PTS/1.3 REB/1.1 AST) as the first options off the bench. 6'4" Fr. Ike Nwamu (3.3 PTS) and 6'9" Soph. Luda Ndaye (1.7PTS/1.5 REB) are used mostly to give the starters a break.
While I think USF will have an advantage down low with Cleveland State's lack of size, the Vikings backcourt will be a headache for us all night. USF should score more than 40 points tonight, I just don't think we will avoid another Red Line Upset.
Bulls lose by 8