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Record: 7-12, 1-5 AAC
Head Coach: Orlando Antigua
Kenpom: 250
RPI: 206
BPI: 240
In South Florida's first meeting against UConn, they shot just 38.3% from the field and 2-9 from behind the arc in a 58-44 loss. Despite leading early and only being down 28-24 at half, the Bulls could not get in any rhythm in the second half on offense and only had one player score in double figures. Senior Corey Allen Jr. finished with 12 points on 4-12 shooting while adding six rebounds.
Since the loss to the Huskies, the Bulls have dropped three in a row, giving them a conference record of 1-5. They lost at Tulane in overtime 56-51, and then got blown out by Tulsa and Temple, losing 75-58 and 73-48, respectively. South Florida's lone conference win came in their second AAC game, defeating East Carolina 58-50 behind Ruben Guerrero's 13 point, 7 rebound, 3 block performance. Scoring has been a major issue for the Bulls in conference play as they have yet to break the 60 point mark against an AAC opponent.
First year head coach Orlando Antigua has had the tough task this season of replacing four players who averaged double-digits last season. The Bulls only have three contributors come back from last year, which has led to Antigua employing many different lineups, and going nine deep in some games. South Florida has six guys who play over 20 minutes a game, and three more that play more than 10 minutes a game.
Key Players
#4 Corey Allen Jr., Senior, Guard (6-1, 152): The team's best scorer at 14.6 PPG while also averaging 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG in 32.7 MPG. Allen Jr. can play both guard positions and has a great ability to score the basketball. The senior guard is the team's best shooter, as he is shooting 34.8% from three and 45.7% from the field. He has filled up the scoring column in almost every game this season, scoring in double figures in all but five games. Allen Jr. scored 12 points on 4-12 shooting in the loss to UConn earlier this season.
#11 Anthony Collins, Junior, Guard (6-1, 175): Averaging 7.8 PPG, 5.4 APG, and 2.2 RPG in 33.3 MPG this season. Collins is arguably the most important player for the Bulls and has improved his shooting, now up to 43.8% on the season. The junior guard is an excellent distributor and defender and has been known throughout his career to be a pass-first point guard. Collins has struggled in conference play, just averaging 3.5 PPG and 4.2 APG. He scored five points on 2-9 shooting while adding five assists in the loss to UConn.
#1 Chris Perry, Sophomore, Forward (6-8, 242): Averaging 10.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 1.3 BPG. Perry is the only returning big man on the team from last season, and has played a lot more due to his improved conditioning. He can finish around the basket and has a pretty nice stroke leading to his 49.1% from the field. Before the season, Antigua expected him to be one of the top rebounders in the conference, something that he has certainly been. Perry has struggled of late, though, averaging just 4.3 PPG in his last four games. He scored five points and added eight rebounds in the loss to UConn.
#5 Nehemias Morillo, Junior, Guard (6-5, 180): A JUCO transfer who has made an immediate impact for the Bulls. Morillo is averaging 9.1 PPG and 5.6 RPG while shooting 28.4% from three. Antigua likes him a lot as can play a variety of positions, including point guard. He is quick, athletic, mature, and has the ability to shoot it well if he can get in a rhythm. Morillo is averaging 7.8 PPG and 5.3 RPG in conference play, but only recorded four points and three rebounds in the loss to UConn.
#35 Bo Zeigler, (R) Freshman, Forward (6-6, 202): Averaging 5.9 PPG and 4.4 RPG while shooting 54.7% from the field. He is a defensive specialist, having the ability to guard positions 1-4. Zeigler has been emerging as a scoring option in conference play, averaging 7.6 PPG while also pulling down 4.6 RPG. He scored six points on 3-4 shooting in the loss to UConn.
#33 Ruben Guerrero, Freshman, Center (6-11, 225): A member of Spain's 18U team, he is averaging 5.8 PPG and 4.0 RPG while shooting 50% from the field. Guerrero was picked up late in the recruiting trail, but has continued to develop throughout the season. Like Zeigler, Guerrero is coming along in conference play, as he has scored in double figures three times against AAC opponents. He has six points and four rebounds in the loss to UConn.
South Florida is coached by Orlando Antigua aka "Hurricane." Antigua is probably the coolest thing about the Bulls since his story is pretty awesome. Living in the Bronx at the age of 15, he was shot in a drive-by shooting with the bullet being lodged in his head. He recovered well from the incident and was playing basketball just two weeks later. Antigua also experienced homelessness through his teenage years, but was able to overcome all of this, serving as student council president and becoming a McDonald's All-American in high school. He then signed with Pittsburgh where he ranks sixth in career three-point percentage.
After college, Antigua played with the Harlem Globetrotters for seven years, becoming the first Hispanic player on the roster. He earned his nickname "Hurricane" because of his dazzling moves and quickness while on the team. He then went on to become an assistant at Pitt from 2006-2008 before finding his way onto John Calipari's staff at Memphis. Antigua followed Calipari to Kentucky where he was his top assistant before eventually taking the job at South Florida.