The sign of the goat, nameless Bulls, and Kool and the Gang

The score of the women’s game Big East Tournament game against Notre Dame is occupying most of my time in the first half of the men’s game. I might have to do a straw poll to decide what would mean more to USF athletics: a men’s Big East win or an NCAA invitation for the women. Apparently I’m not the only one: The announcer gave the score of the women’s game to the Sun Dome crowd, 31-31 at half.

— It’s been hard to pinpoint at what point it exactly goes wrong for USF in a game. Ignoring their record, the Bulls moved the ball better (10 assists to six assists), shot better (12-for-21 compared to 10-for-18) and had a turnover margin of minus-3, yet they trail 31-30 at half.

— Time out. Time for a news story. USF convicted of “Metal Hand Sign” abuse. Not really, but I found this article in The Onion, which is a fake newspaper, and it’s worth the read. Something to think about next time someone flashes the “U.”

— Second half, Chris Capko missed a layup off a rebound and went barreling head first over a cheerleader and into the seats. After a few seconds, Capko appeared unharmed; then, as if the mere sight of him startled them, the Hoyas, on a 5-4 fast break, turned the ball over.

— Walk-on guard Eddie Lovett, still with a nameless jersey, checked into the game.

— Bad news: The women’s team lost to Notre Dame, and its NCAA fate is out of its hands and into the hands of tournament selection committee. Good news is that the men are in the middle of a bizarro game. What would be turnovers in the past are now assists, missed shots are swishes, and the Hoyas are making all the mistakes down the stretch.

— The Bulls are in unfamiliar territory. Georgetown is desperately fouling just to have a chance to win. I think Hoyas coach John Thompson III needs to take a look at the stat sheet as his team is fouling Solomon Jones, USF’s best foul shooter at 80 percent.

— It’s all over. Now for the first time in two months, the fans get to hear Kool and the Gang, and look at the “Bulls Win” graphic on the Sun Dome screens.

Tony Marquis