The Georgia Bulldogs.
It sure sounds like a good opponent.
Even though Georgia men's basketball has seen better days ? only two NCAA tournament appearances in the past eight seasons ? the University of South Florida Bulls (4-2) will relish the opportunity when the Bulldogs (2-4) visit the Sun Dome for tonight's Big East/SEC Challenge.
"These games mean a lot as a whole, not just for us, but for our league,'' USF coach Stan Heath said. "When they start rating your league in RPI, these games and head-to-head matchups determine a lot at the end of the year, like how many teams get (NCAA) bids from certain leagues.
"We want to put ourselves in the best position we can. We had some games where we've stubbed our toe in non-conference. Now we can prove ourselves. We've got to put it all together, especially with this stretch in front of us.''
USF travels to No. 15-ranked Oklahoma State (5-0) on Wednesday night.
For tonight, the Bulls expect sophomore point guard Anthony Collins back in the lineup. Collins, a second-team All-Big East selection, sat out Monday's win at Stetson to rest a calf injury that has rendered him subpar all season.
"Certainly, his presence will help our basketball team,'' said Heath, whose team will pick up more backcourt depth when injured sophomore Musa Abdul-Aleem makes his USF debut, perhaps as early as next week. "Right now, we're getting better. Getting a win on the road, especially short-handed, is never easy. I think we're coming together and making progress.''
Heath has emphasized the importance of a good non-conference performance. Last season, the Bulls were 7-6 heading into Big East play and it nearly cost them an opportunity at the program's first NCAA tournament at-large bid since 1992.
Beating Georgia would be a positive step.
USF is 7-36 all-time against SEC teams ? Florida (5-17) has been the only regular opponent ? and Heath is looking for any way to generate momentum. He has gotten valuable minutes from senior forward Kore White, the transfer from Florida Atlantic and pivot presence, and senior guard Jawanza Poland, who has provided electric offense off the bench.
"We want to build a homecourt advantage,'' Heath said. "I hope our fans saw that in our last home game (against Bradley). We had a high level of energy and intensity. We want to play that way all the time and turn things up another notch at the Sun Dome.''
It sure sounds like a good opponent.
Even though Georgia men's basketball has seen better days ? only two NCAA tournament appearances in the past eight seasons ? the University of South Florida Bulls (4-2) will relish the opportunity when the Bulldogs (2-4) visit the Sun Dome for tonight's Big East/SEC Challenge.
"These games mean a lot as a whole, not just for us, but for our league,'' USF coach Stan Heath said. "When they start rating your league in RPI, these games and head-to-head matchups determine a lot at the end of the year, like how many teams get (NCAA) bids from certain leagues.
"We want to put ourselves in the best position we can. We had some games where we've stubbed our toe in non-conference. Now we can prove ourselves. We've got to put it all together, especially with this stretch in front of us.''
USF travels to No. 15-ranked Oklahoma State (5-0) on Wednesday night.
For tonight, the Bulls expect sophomore point guard Anthony Collins back in the lineup. Collins, a second-team All-Big East selection, sat out Monday's win at Stetson to rest a calf injury that has rendered him subpar all season.
"Certainly, his presence will help our basketball team,'' said Heath, whose team will pick up more backcourt depth when injured sophomore Musa Abdul-Aleem makes his USF debut, perhaps as early as next week. "Right now, we're getting better. Getting a win on the road, especially short-handed, is never easy. I think we're coming together and making progress.''
Heath has emphasized the importance of a good non-conference performance. Last season, the Bulls were 7-6 heading into Big East play and it nearly cost them an opportunity at the program's first NCAA tournament at-large bid since 1992.
Beating Georgia would be a positive step.
USF is 7-36 all-time against SEC teams ? Florida (5-17) has been the only regular opponent ? and Heath is looking for any way to generate momentum. He has gotten valuable minutes from senior forward Kore White, the transfer from Florida Atlantic and pivot presence, and senior guard Jawanza Poland, who has provided electric offense off the bench.
"We want to build a homecourt advantage,'' Heath said. "I hope our fans saw that in our last home game (against Bradley). We had a high level of energy and intensity. We want to play that way all the time and turn things up another notch at the Sun Dome.''
