FAMU Rattlers vs. USF Bulls Preview & GameThread

FAMU is the toughest 297th ranked RPI you'll ever see. They're 1-8 against D1 teams, and they've been beaten by everyone that's not Stetson on their schedule, but they tend to hang around. They lost to Toledo (41 in RPI) by only 10, and have a scoring margin of just -8.30 per game, which isn't horrendous for a team this far down the ladder that's taken some paycheck games already.

Plus FAMU plays lots of people, with nine guys averaging over 14 minutes but no one getting more than 28 minutes per contest. They'll want to run and jump at the Bulls and force some tempo. Jamie Adams is the Rattler the Bulls should be the most aware of, as he's averaging 16.7 points per game and a gaudy 47.2% from three-point range. The Bulls as we know have struggled to contain opposing shooters at times this year (see Bernard Thompson two nights ago for FGCU), and FAMU is a team that can be efficient from deep shooting 34.8% from downtown as a team this year. But they're also 304th in America in points per possession at 0.917. It's still a team USF should roll easily.

The Bulls have been doing it with defense so far, but are tremendously struggling to find their shot. USF enters tonight as the 338th team in America in three-point shooting percentage out of 351 schools. They are 349th in points per game from scored from downtown in the country. Below them? North Carolina, and the Bowling Green Falcons USF beat earlier this season for their best road win. They're also 248th in eFG%. Yuck.

USF's 0.992 points per possession ranks them 215th in offensive efficiency, which considering the ease of the schedule so far just isn't good enough. But their defense has been above-average, allowing only 0.939 points per trip by their opponents. They've also been exceptional at getting to the free throw line, with 27.2% of their scoring coming from the charity stripe.

Four Factor me!

Anthony Collins continues to struggle to return from his knee surgery, with his shooting falling under 29% from the floor this year following the FGCU game. He's still the Bulls most efficient 3-point shooter at almost 39%, but his 5.6 assists and 3.7 turnovers per game aren't numbers you'd expect from a fully-healthy AC. Vic Rudd stepped up with 23 points and 14 boards in his best game so far this season in double overtime against FGCU, so let's see if he can continue the trend. Also Corey Allen Jr. after a torrid start has cooled off a bit, making only one of his last 12 attempts from three-point range. He should get some chances tonight to knock down some shots.

Also cool thing to watch out for: Twins Musa Abdul-Aleem (USF) and Muhammad Abdul-Aleem (FAMU) should take the court against each other at some point. Congratulations also to Musa for graduating from USF last Saturday with a year-and-a-half of eligibility remaining.