Georgetown 8-USF 7. Final.

The Bulls let another one slip away, and the Hoyas are back in the Big East hunt.
Strong points of the weekend:
USF's top of the order.
Geotrgetown's amazing resiliency.

Low points:

USF Bullpen

Georgetown 8-USF 7. Bottom 9th

pinch hitters Junior Carlin, Trey Manz and right fielder Mike Consolmagno are scheduled to come to bat in the bottom of the ninth.
Jack Bender is closing for the Hoyas.
Carlin just walked and the fans in the stadium are getting excited.

Unbelievable game. Georgetown 8-USF 7. Top 9th

USF was up 7-1 in the top of the seventh. Georgetown then goes on to score seven runs in the next two innings, including five in the eighth.
The Bulls are 4-4 in the Big East, Georgetown is 2-7.
USF had a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the inning, but Smith's line drive went right to the shortstop who tagged out Angelberger to end the inning.

Georgetown beats USF with explosive 7th inning

If this series against Georgetown is a test of whether USF is a contender or a pretender, the Bulls failed the second test of the weekend as they allowed all six runs from the Hoyas in the top of the 7th inning.
Coach Prado is out because of the flu and was replaced by Assistant Coach Lazer Collazzo. Nobody knows if he will be ready to go on Sunday.
Tomorrow's series finale starts at 1 o'clock at Red McEwen Field, and the Bulls need to win it if they don't want to fall under .500 for the first time since they were 3-5

Devin Hester talks about his cousin, USF receiver Jessie Hester Jr.

The first USF spring football scrimmage on Saturday was sort of a hot spot for NFL players — both current and future. Two former Bulls — Mike Jenkins, who was wearing a Denver Broncos beanie hat and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry were seen watching.

Another NFL player — Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester, cousin of USF junior wide receiver Jesse Hester Jr. — was also seen watching the action. Hester took time to answer some questions for The Oracle.

Oracle: What is it like to watch your cousin playing Big East football?

Devin Hester: I'm just glad to see him out there. First of all, you've got to thank God for putting him in the situation that he's in now. A lot of kids don't get the opportunity to play in high school, and he's out there playing college football. I just hope that God continues to keep blessing him and hopefully, one day, he's out there with me.

O: Did you see his game-winning catch against Auburn?

DH: Yeah, I did. It was great to have somebody else have the ability to go out and do the things that you hope for kids to do.

O: How much progress have you seen from Jesse during his USF career?

DH: I'm just glad that he's making plays right now. He's getting better each year, and hopefully, by the time he's ready to go to the (National Football) League, he'll be ready to compete at the highest level.

-Joe Rienzi

Bulls have first scrimmage of spring

An estimated crowd of about 250 people — mostly family and recent signees — gathered to watch the first scrimmage of the Bulls 2008 football season.

The most obvious positive for the Bulls was the defense, which produced five turnovers and blocked two field goal attempts.

"The defense was good," Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said. "It's not good for the offense."

The first-team defense seemed to be ready to play, as they forced a Mike Ford fumble which was returned for touchdown, blocked a Delbert Alvarado field goal attempt, and intercepted quarterback Matt Grothe twice (cornerback Jerome Murphy and strong safety Carlton Williams made the picks).

"That's one thing we're always stressing is turnovers," defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. "The only real negative I saw today was that we gave up too many long passes."

Grothe finished the day 10-of-15 for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 23-yard pass to sophomore A.J. Love. Senior quarterback Grant Gregory — who was 12-of -14 on the day, connected on a 53-yard pass to Sophomore Dontavia Bogan. He was also the only quarterback out of the three who participated that did not turn the ball over.

"I didn't think we made real good decisions at quarterback. Those turnovers didn't have to happen," Leavitt said. "I'd have to say that Grant played better than Matt today. I don't think there's any question."

For more on Saturday's scrimmage, check out Monday's edition of The Oracle — which was voted the best university daily newspaper at Saturday's Society of Professional Journalists Awards.

-Joe Rienzi

Clutch

Sanford struck out the last two batters with runners on second and third to close out a huge 2-1 win for the Bulls, who now improve to 4-3 in the Big EAST

USF 2- G'Town 1. Top 9th. Fontanez gets standing ovation.

Randy Fontanez is out of the game after pitching eight stellar innings, allowing just four hits and a run. As he left the mound, Fontanez got an standing ovation from the crowd.
Right now we are set for another dramatic ending here at Red McEwen Field, as the Hoyas have runners on second and third with one out and closer Shawn Sanford is about to attempt to get the last two outs.
Tension in the air at Red McEwen Field.

Fontanez had no hitter for 5 1/3 innings

Randy Fontanez, a USF freshman, had a no hitter through 5 1/3 until an infield single put an end to it just as the fans were starting to think about it.
Right now, in the top of the 7th inning, the Bulls are hanging on to a 2-1 lead.

USF 2- G'town 0. Top 5th

The Bulls are up against the Hoyas more than halfway through the game Maruszak was driven in by Angelberger and Hobbs drove in Lovckwood in the first inning for the only runs in the game so far.
Fontanez looks solid and poised.

Former USF volleyball star to be assistant coach

South Florida volleyball coach Claire Lessinger announced Thursday that the team hired a new assistant coach for the 2008 season -- Michelle Collier. She is the only volleyball player with a retired jersey for the University.

“I am very excited about coming home,” Collier said in a press release. “I always knew I would coach after I finished playing, and I couldn’t ask for a better place to start than here at USF. I love Tampa, the school and the athletics program, so I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to start my coaching career at home.”

Collier holds multiple all-time records at USF, including her 2,729 kills and 1,747 digs. Her kills rank fifth all time in NCAA Division I, and she was the first volleyball player from USF to be an All-American.

Collier also played outside of the United States after she graduated from college, which gave her multiple perspectives on the game and how it is played.

“I have been coached by the Chinese, Europeans, Brazilians and others, and they have a lot of different strategies about the game. In hope I will be able to bring what I have learned across the world to USF,” Collier said.

Lessinger said that USF “hit the jackpot” when it hired Collier. “She brings a wealth of playing experience, intense passion for the game, impressive knowledge of the sport, and extreme pride in being a Bull. I look forward to working with her on a daily basis and watching her impact our players.

“She is a natural leader with an impeccable work ethic. She is a perfect fit for this program in so many ways.”

Georgetown-USF preview

There are certain games and certain series that determines a team's personality and aspirations.
This is one of those games for the Bulls, as they will try to leave their inconsistencies behind and assert themselves as Big East contenders.
Georgetown is a dangerous below .500 team that is woefully inconsistent but catches fire offensively sometimes.
For those of you who read this blog, I encourage you to post your comments and your opinion: Are the Bulls contenders or pretenders?

Our picks for the Final Four

March is always a crazy time for college basketball fans everywhere. Many people (myself included) sit by and watch their brackets bust on last second shots (such as the one by Western Kentucky's Ty Roberts) or pure upsets (like San Diego State shocking UCONN at the St. Pete Times Forum today).

The Oracle sports staff, however, is hoping to find some order in the chaos that is the NCAA Tournament. Here are the Staff picks for the Final Four:

Joe Rienzi, Sports Editor:

I've always enjoyed seeing upsets, which is why I love March Madness. My Final Four consists of some teams that people expect to be there, and some that maybe don't belong.

Louisville over Georgetown: Two foes from one of the toughest conferences in the nation battle for a spot in the National Championship game. Rick Pitino has the experience, and his team has the skills to get past the Hoyas for a spot in the title game.

UCLA over Texas: Texas has beaten Memphis once this season, and they will do it again in the Elite Eight. I just don't think Texas has what it takes to get past the Bruins.

National Championship: UCLA 79, Louisville 72: I was bold by picking a score, but I just had to try. I think that Kevin Love will emerge as a star, and carry UCLA to the 'Promised Land'.

Aaron Oberlin, Asst. Sports Editor:

My picks for the Final Four: Georgetown, North Carolina, UCLA, Texas.

Martin Bater, Staff Writer:

Final Four:
N. Carolina 85- Kansas 87
Pittsburgh 83-Duke 73

Championship:
Pittsburgh 80-N. Carolina 76

Carrie Johnson, Staff Writer:
Tennessee: Despite losing in the SEC championship tournament, Tennessee has a legitimate chance of making it to the final four. Tennessee is the only team to defeat Memphis in the regular season. Tennessee’s guard Chris Lofton leads the Vols in scoring of 16.1 points per game. With a strong defense and depth, Tennessee has all the components to pull an upset against No. 1 North Carolina in the Elite 8 to advance to the final four and possible championship game.

Georgetown: The regular season Big East champion Hoyas has a legitimate chance to make it to the final four. Georgetown playmakers Roy Hibbert, DaJuan Summers, and Jonathon Wallace lead the team in scoring averaging double digit points every game and are a few of the reasons the Hoyas have had success in the Big East. Georgetown’s defense will be tested going up against No. 1 Kansas, who averages 81 points per game, and 40% in 3-point field goals this season, in their quest to the championship.

Texas: Texas guard D.J. Augustine is the reason why they will make it to the final four. Augustine averages almost 20 points per game. When Augustine is on his game, it is tough to defeat the Longhorns. Some people thought that Texas wouldn’t be the same since Kevin Durant left to go to the NBA after his record-breaking freshman season. However, Texas went 28-6 during the regular season.

Despite Memphis being No. 1 in the South Bracket, Memphis has failed to deliver in big time games against big time opponents, one of which was to then No. 2 Tennessee where the Tigers lost the game that went down to the wire, going just 8-17 from the free throw line. Poor free throw shooting will be the downfall of the Tigers in the tournament, advancing Texas to the final four.

UCLA: The sole No.1 seed going to the final four is UCLA. Despite losing in the championship game two years ago and in the final four last year both to Florida. Since the Gators are not in the tournament, the Bruins will finally make it over the hill and win their 12th national title. UCLA has relied on freshman center Kevin Love to attain a 31-3 record in the Pac-10. Love averages 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. UCLA’s road to the final four won’t be as difficult as the road for other No.1 seeds. Xavier might give UCLA a hard time, but I think they'll will find a way to get it done and win the championship.

Gotta love the maddness!

Any comments? How about your picks? Let us know what you think.

Bulls win it in the 9th

a single to deep CF with 1 out and a runner on third was all that USF needed to pull off yet another miraculous comeback. USF is now 10-5 overall and 2-0 in the Big East.
USF will try to get the sweep tomorrow at 1 P.M

8th inning. USF 6- Seton Hall 6

The Bulls keep coming back. Seton Hall's head coach must be ripping out his hair right now.
The Pirates came right back with 3 runs in the top of the seventh, but what was a 6-4lead dissapeared in the eighth thanks to a two run home run by Joey Angelberger.
USF seems to have nine lives, and it isn't afraid to use them.

Midgame Report. Seton Hall 3- USF 4. 7TH Inning

USF just got three runs in the bottom of the 6th to finish the comeback from a 3-0 deficit, but I've got the feeling that neithe team is done having a say in the way this second game o a day/night doubleheader will turn out.

RF Brian Hobbs hit a two-run homer to tie the game and LF Chris Rey also hit a solo shot in the 5th.
Seton Hall's starting pitcher is out of the game, but USF starter Randy Fontanez is still out there, but this is probably his last inning.

Seton Hall 4- USF 6. Heated game, unbelievable ending

USF shortstop and cleanup hitter Addison Maruszack hit a two run walkoff Home Run to left field in the 9th inning with two outs to give the Bulls their 6th straight victory and its first Big East win as well.
USF is oficially on a roll and improves to 9-5 overall.
The second part of the doubleheader will be played in 45 minutes, since last night's game was canceled due to inclement weather.

Baseball report: Solid offense + stellar pitching = Fifth straight win

the USF baseball team is on a roll. The Bulls earned their fifth straight win with a solid 7-1 victory over the University of North Florida that took them to 8-5 for the season.

Up next for USF: vs Seton Hall Pirates in the Big East opener. The Oracle will be back on Monday with full coverage of the series.

Despite record-setting season, Jones passed over for Big East Rookie Honors

Freshman guard Dominique Jones set the USF freshman scoring record and became the first Big East freshman to score 30 points in consecutive games since Allen Iverson did it while playing for Georgetown.

However, despite leading the Bulls in scoring, Jones was passed over for the Big East Rookie of the Year honor.

Two players shared the award — Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and Pittsburgh center DeJuan Blair. Jones, however, was a unanimous selection to the Big East's all-rookie team.

Leavitt to stick around, WBB looking for postseason berth

The only football coach USF has ever known has decided to stick around the Bay area a little while longer. On Monday, Jim Leavitt signed a contract extension that runs through 2014 and increases his annual salary to around $1.5 million per season.

No funding from the state was used in the deal.

During his 11 seasons, Leavitt has led the Bulls to a 79-47 record (63%) and three consecutive Bowl games (1-2).


Now, lets talk women's hoops. The Bulls ended the season needing two wins and help just to get into the Big East Tournament. The Bulls upset both Pittsburgh (at home) and Marquette (on the road) to earn the No. 11 seed in the Tournament.

While in Hartford, USF pulled off another upset, knocking off No. 6 seeded Syracuse 68-67 in overtime to become just the fifth No. 11 seed to advance into the second round.

The Bulls luck, however, ran out on Sunday. The Bulls lost 64-42 to No. 3 seed (and No. 14 ranked in the nation) West Virginia.

Bulls junior guard Shantia Grace was also recently named to the All-Big East Conference second team, after finishing the season fourth in the Big East in points (18.6) and sixth in the Conference in assists (4.1) per game.

All of the upsets that USF ended its season with did a lot for USF, namely giving the team some life at making a postseason tournament for the fifth straight year. The Bulls finished 16-15, 5-11 on the season.

-Joe Rienzi

Bulls win in dramatic fashion once again

Welcome to The Oracle's Spring Break Update. Hope you are enjoying spring break.

The USF Baseball team swept its weekend series against Savannah State. But it wasn't easy.

The Bulls were down by three runs or more in two out of the three games.
A series sweep and a 6-5 record certainly sounds better than "team crisis" and "4-7" doesn't it?

Meanwhile, the men's tennis team feels very comfortable under the radar at 10-2 overall and having earned its seventh straight win against Georgia State while battling 20 mph winds.
The women's tennis team is also on fire at 11-5 and having won five straight.

All in all a good weekend for Bulls Country. I'll be back on Wednesday with updates on the baseball team's two games against UNF and FAU and more tennis.

-Martin Bater

Bulls sweep Under Armour Invitational

The USF softball team(15-8) went undefeated in the Under Armour Invitational in Clearwater defeating Maine, St. Joseph's, NC State, Jacksonville, and Penn State. Junior second baseman Britta Giddens led the Bulls in batting for the tournament with five runs, seven hits, four RBI, and a home run. Senior pitcher Courtney Mosch led the pitching staff with four wins and freshman Capri Catalano was credited with a win and a save in the tournament.

The Bulls were no match against the defending Olympic Gold Metalist US National Team dropping the exhibition game 18-0.The atmosphere was electric as the at the beginning of the game as the team and spectators cheered when the Bulls were able to hit pitches against Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman.

The Bulls' only offense of the game came from lead off hitter Giddens starting the game off with a single and Senior outfielder Kit Dunbar followed with a single of her own. Sophomore catcher Hillary Wolf added another hit in the fifth inning.

The team will play in the spring break tournament Tuesday and Wednesday at the USF softball field where they will take on Indiana, George Mason, Boston University, and Ball State.

-Carrie Johnson

Notre Dame holds on for 67-60 win

The Bulls had several chances to make the game closer, but two missed three-pointers and a missed layup by Gransberry seemed to doom the Bulls.

The Bulls finished the season 12-19, 3-15.

Quick Stats:

Notre Dame:

Harangody: 21 points, 9 rebounds,


USF:

Jones: 9/24, 20 points, 7 rebounds.

Ajayi: 6/9, 12 points, 9 rebounds.

Bulls hanging tough, trail by 5

USF cut the ND lead to one with just under 5:00 remaining here at the Sun Dome, but the Fighting Irish built the lead back to 5, 60-55, with 3:50 left to play.

The Sun Dome continues to give life to a Bulls team looking for a season-ending upset.

Sun Dome erupts as Bulls trail by 3

The USF scoring run continues, and the Bulls now trail 56-53.

Jesus Verdejo has scored five points in less than 30 seconds to continue to chop at the ND lead.

The Sun Dome has erupted into a frenzy as the Bulls are continuing their run.

Bulls still fighting, trail by 9

USF trailed by as many as 19, but it is not going down easy to No. 19 Notre Dame.

The Bulls are on a 14-4 run, and the Ajayi/Harangody battle is still very physical. The referee appeared to make a comment to Ajayi in order to keep the peace. With 7:36 remaining, the game could go down to the wire.

Ajayi taking over

Just under 12:00 remaining in the game, and junior BJ Ajayi has been a wrecking crew for the Bulls. Since falling behind by 19, Ajayi has scored 8 of 12 points for the Bulls — putting the Sun Dome into a frenzy and cutting the ND lead to 52-43.

Irish begin to pull away

USF started the second half with turnovers on consecutive possessions, and the Fighting Irish have been on fire, jumping out to a 52-33 lead just four minutes into the final period.

The Bulls have had several shots bounce around the rim, but haven't had many of them fall.

As I've been writing this, however, the Bulls have gone on a 8-0 run, cutting the Irish lead to 11.

Bulls down at the half

A buzzer-beating three-pointer by Notre Dame's Troy Jackson gave the Fighting Irish a 36-27 lead going into the half.

USF had closed the gap to one with just under 6:00 left, but ND ended the half on a 13-5 run.

The Bulls are only shooting 34 percent from the field, which looks dismal next to ND's 51 percent.

Harangody leads all scorers with 10 points at the half, with Dominique Jones leading the Bulls with eight.

Bulls still trail physical game

USF trails 27-22 with 3:37 remaining in the first half, but the game is getting physical.

Junior guard Jesus Verdejo seemed to injure his wrist diving for a lose ball (but he remains in the game and shows no ill-effects), Luke Harangody has been harassed with double teams, hitting the floor three times, and Bulls' sophomore guard Solomon Bozeman was nearly put in a headlock while going after a lose ball.

Bulls pulling closer

The Bulls have found the touch on offense, going on a 14-4 run over the last 6 minutes to cut the Notre Dame lead to 23-19.

Freshman guard Dominique Jones was quiet at the beginning of the game, but has scored eight of the Bulls' last 14 points.

Bulls still trail

There is 11:21 remaining in the first half, and the Bulls trail 21-11. USF trailed by as many as 13, but a 6-0 run cut the Notre Dame lead to 7.

The Bulls have not been able to get going defensively, and the Fighting Irish — who average a Big East leading 81.0 points per game — have been able to to run their offense.

Bulls trail 13-5 early

The game is just getting started, but Notre Dame is playing its game here at the Sun Dome.

Harangody has four points, and is being guarded by junior forward BJ Ajayi. The two have been very aggressive early on.

Live on senior night

The Oracle is at the Sun Dome, keeping everybody up to date on the USF men's basketball team.

Tonight is the season finale the last time for Bulls fans to watch seniors Kentrell Gransberry, Mohamed Esseghir, and Eddie Lovett.

The Sun Dome is filling up with what could end up being a season-high number of fans.

Gransberry will end his USF career trying to stop Notre Dame's sophomore forward Luke Harangody — who leads the Big East in points per game (21.0) and is second in rebounding (10.4).

-Joe Rienzi, sports editor

Kiffin talks about Jenkins

NFL scouts came to the University of South Florida today to watch 15 draft-eligible seniors -- 11 from USF -- work out and showcase their athletic abilities on Pro Timing Day.

Monte Kiffin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator, showed up and offered his thoughts about one player in particular -- former USF cornerback Mike Jenkins. Kiffin likes Jenkins' coverage skills, hands and speed.

"(Jenkins has) got good man (coverage) skills," Kiffin said.

USF played a lot of man coverage last season because of the talent at the cornerback position. Jenkins played right cornerback last year with Trae Williams -- who also worked out today -- at left cornerback. Jenkins has some left-side cornerback experience, which he might have to switch to in the NFL, according to scouts.

Kiffin said switching from one side to the other will not be a problem. "There is no adjustment needed. No way. Corners are corners."

Jenkins speed helped him be an effective corner.

He recorded 4.38 seconds at the NFL Combine last month, which was tied for seventh among cornerbacks, according to NFL.com.

"We can't teach speed," Kiffin said.

Kiffin also said that Jenkins didn't need to be taught how to catch the ball.
"Some young DB's will come in (the NFL) and not have great hands. We'll get the ball machine out there -- throw the ball, throw the ball -- and they'll get better and better. But the real good ones, they just got the hands, and you don't have to coach them.

"And that's what this kid has."

Last season, Jenkins intercepted three passes.

-Aaron Oberlin, assistant sports editor

The wait for football continues

Today was supposed to mark the first football practice of the spring, but the bad weather forced the coaching staff to cancel the practice.

The practice is scheduled to be made up after Spring Break, but no exact date is known.

Practices are closed to the public, but they mark the beginning of the 2008 football season. The Bulls will have some good position battles going on this season — namely on defense — as the Bulls try to fill the void left by former players Mike Jenkins, Trae Williams, Richard Clebert, and Ben Moffitt.

Oklahoma State 14-USF 3. Final

The last few innings went by without much fanfare, and most of the fans left after the seventh inning.
The Bulls can't seem to hang with a Top 25 team, as they were outscored 20-5 in the series by the Cowboys.
Pitching is a concern for USF, as it allowed 28 runs during this weekend's three games.
The offense, which looked like it had come alive against Nortwestern, only managed to get five hits and went scoreless after the third inning.
Prado will have to address these issues if the Bulls aspire to do big things this season.

Oklahoma State 13- USF 3. Top 7th

USF leading 3-0 is nothing but a fading memory now, as the Cowboys pull away. The Cowboys scored five runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh.
Most of the fans are still in their seats.

Cowboys score 7 in the 4th

If you are a Bulls fan, the top of the 4th inning was like a horror movie you want to stop watching but you just can't. The Cowboys chased away Randy Fontanez, who lasted 3.2 innings after Oklahoma State scored four unearned runs. The Cowboys then added on three more with two outs to give themselves a four run cushion.
On the bright side for the Bulls, OK State did score 8 runs in the third inning aganst Nortwestern yesterday, had an 8-4 lead and then ended up losing 14-12

USF 3- OK State 0. Top 4th

The Bulls struck first with their only hit of the day so far, albeit a loud one, a two-run HR to right field by 1B/OF Brandon Smith, who is seventh in the lineup. DH Brian Hobbs just hit a solo HR to right field to widen the lead. The wind is blowing hard towards right field.
Fontanez got out of a bases loaded, 2 out jam in the bottom of the 2nd by striking out Cowboys' outfielder Donnie Webb.

Live at Red McEwen Field

The Oracle is live at Red McEwen Field for the rematch and end of a two-game series between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the USF Bulls.
USF is 3-2 after a dramatic 9-8 victory over Nortwestern last night. The Cowboys are 4-1 and ranked No. 21 in the nation. The Cowboys lost to Northwestern 14-12 yesterday despite putting up eight runs in the third inning.
Starting Pitchers today: Randy Fontanez (USF, 0-0) vs Matt Gardner (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
Things to look for today:
The Bulls' offense carrying over what it did last night.
Fontanez vs Oklahoma State's top of the order.

-Martin Bater

The streak is over

When it comes to Big East road games, it appears the 24th time is the charm. The USF men's basketball team won its first conference road game since joining the league in 2005.

Once again the game went down to the wire, but USF made the shots when they counted.

Check out Monday's edition of The Oracle for a full recap of the Bulls' 54-52 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

-Joe Rienzi