NCAA BK

Wed, Feb 27, 2013 - 7:00 PM ET
Game Preview
 

South Florida-Pittsburgh Preview

Share This Story

Updated Feb 26, 2013 3:45 PM ET
     
 

Pittsburgh allows the fewest points in the Big East and should be poised to avenge two losses from last season to South Florida, the conference's lowest-scoring team.

The No. 23 Panthers will likely be counting on their defense Wednesday night when they try to hand the visiting Bulls a 10th straight loss.

Pittsburgh (21-7, 9-6) is yielding 54.9 points per game to lead the conference while South Florida (10-16, 1-13) is averaging 59.0, making it obvious what concerns Bulls coach Stan Heath entering this matchup.

"I think they changed the size of the rim, I think it's smaller when we play because we can't throw it in the ocean," Heath said. "But you can see it across the country and I don't know if anybody can put a finger on one specific thing."

There's little chance that the Panthers will overlook a Bulls team enduring its longest slide since a 10-game skid Jan. 5-Feb. 9, 2008. That's because South Florida shot 54.2 percent in winning twice against the Panthers last February, with point guard Anthony Collins totaling 33 points and 12 assists for the Bulls.

Pitt guard Tray Woodall totaled 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting with five assists and seven turnovers in those contests.

Woodall, however, has reached double digits in points in seven straight games and scored a season-high 25 as the Panthers avoided a third straight loss with a 63-47 victory at St. John's on Sunday.

"I was comfortable," said Woodall, who made 8 of 14 shots. "I am a senior and I should be comfortable out here. I wanted to try and shift the momentum of the team. I was not surprised with the shooting, my team did a great job of rotating the ball and they found me for open shots."

The Panthers are 14-3 at home but have produced identical 34.8 percent shooting efforts in splitting their last two games at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt shot 34.6 percent in each loss to South Florida last season.

The Bulls outrebounded the Panthers in both of those meetings, but it could be difficult for them to repeat that feat. South Florida owns the Big East's second-worst rebound margin at minus-3.8 and Pitt owns the second best at plus-6.3, bolstered by the addition of 7-foot freshman Steven Adams.

"Steven Adams I think gives them that inside presence, a big physical body again to go along with some of those other guys that have improved," Heath said.

The Panthers were outrebounded by an average of 12.0 in their consecutive losses before managing to stay within 38-37 in that department against the Red Storm.

"Coach (Jamie Dixon) got after us and we should expect that with the way we played the last two games," forward Lamar Patterson said. "Rebounding was the main focus but those practices got us ready."

South Florida has not played since last Wednesday's 69-54 loss at St. John's. Victor Rudd scored 18 points as the Bulls dropped to 0-7 in Big East road games.

Tagged: South Florida, Florida, Pittsburgh, Tray Woodall

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA BK Videos

Kansas lands top recruit Posted: May 14, 2013
Reid Forgrave on Kansas landing top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Find out if he think...

Burke bolts for NBA after 2 season Posted: Apr 14, 2013
Wooden Award winning guard Trey Burke talks about opting to head to the NBA afte...

Zeller to enter NBA draft Posted: Apr 11, 2013
Hear what Indiana's Cody Zeller has to say about entering the NBA draft.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/885881/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_885000/ff_885881_xl.jpg&w=100 74.95 Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black
    Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Georgetown_Hoyas/browse/featuredproduct/1030243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1030000/ff_1030243_xl.jpg&w=100 119.95 Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue
    Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/1032710/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1032000/ff_1032710_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue
    Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oregon_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/1052002/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052002_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/1052645/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052645_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Indiana_Hoosiers/browse/featuredproduct/1124528/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1124000/ff_1124528_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Cri..
    adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Louisville_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/1127200/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127200_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/1127218/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127218_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey ..
    Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Gonzaga_Bulldogs/browse/featuredproduct/1155821/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1155000/ff_1155821_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue
    Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions Adjustable Hat – Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Hurricanes/browse/featuredproduct/1177723/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1177000/ff_1177723_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Cham..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft