Just another wild Wednesday

Before making my way to the Sun Dome for the men’s game against Connecticut, I stopped off at USF softball’s televised game against Florida. That’s right, televised. The game was televised because of a contract between USF and Catch 47, and there are plans to do more telecasts of other USF sports in the near future such as baseball.
From what I could see, the USF Softball Complex was ill-equipped to handle the game as cameras were set up on top of each dugout.
Coach Ken Eriksen was pleased with the television crew being at the game. For Eriksen, the television crew, along with the team’s arrival in the Big East proves to him that his program is entering the upper-ranks of collegiate softball. The only thing Eriksen said is missing: a nice new stadium…

— Speaking of renovations. Forget screens. Forget powerwashing or getting a new arena. What the Sun Dome needed all along was bodies. The 25-year-old structure looks like new with the addition of more people.

— The score started off 18-0 and four out of the five first baskets for Connecticut came by dunk, including two by alley-oop. I feel like I’m watching NBA Jam — I’m just waiting for Huskies sophomore Rudy Gay’s shoes to catch on fire.

— With 12:17 left in the first half, forward Melvyn Richardson scored the Bulls first point on a free throw, then 30 seconds and a putback later, Richardson scored USF’s third and fourth point. The score was Connecticut 18, Melvyn Richardson 4.

— Four guys calling themselves the “All-Star Dunk Squad” performed at halftime. Problem is, they looked more like people who hang out in a tattoo parlor than “stuff” specialists. The kind of guys who know more about the subtleties of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” than the intricacies of the slam dunk.
Hijinks from this crew included some sort of stomp routine and leading the crowd in the Y.M.C.A. The four “dudes” with the aid of a small trampoline, made about 23 percent of assorted jams then would meet at different areas of the court to have impromptu dance sessions with each other. The grand finale featured the quartet lying down at midcourt in some sort of plus-sign formation. If you would like to experience the All-Star Dunk Squad in person, they can be found performing at the corner of Nebraska and Fowler for spare change.

— I spent at least 20 minutes chasing down a Bob Huggins look-alike. Turns out, his name is Bernie and he is available for Bar Mitzvahs and weddings.

— On that note, former Georgia coach Jim Harrick was in attendance. The same Jim Harrick that has been mentioned for the USF job that Athletic Director Doug Woolard said is not available. The former Georgia coach was pulling double-duty as an employee of an USF sponsor and a scout for the Denver Nuggets. Despite his rare appearance, Harrick told me he has no interest in returning to coaching.

I’m closing up shop with one final question/comment. I know there is only one game left, but can someone put walk-on guard Eddie Lovett’s name on the back of his jersey?

Tony Marquis