The lowdown
2000-01 record: 18-13; 9-7 in C-USA (3rd in National)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: None.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Will Altron Jackson and B.B. Waldon deliver on getting the Bulls to the NCAA Tournament? Can they deal with the expectations that this is their last chance to get it done?
2. Can the Bulls avoid another hiccup in the middle of the season, stay consistent and get a tournament bid? Will erratic play offensively send them south again?
3. Cedric Smith is gone so who will help out Reggie Kohn at the point? Can Kohn handle the chore by himself, especially in a point-guard strong league?
Three Key Facts
1. Altron Jackson was named C-USA's Sixth Player of the Year in 2000-01, yet also made first-team all-conference as a junior.
2. Not only do the Bulls get their top two scorers back from a season ago (Jackson 18.9 ppg; B.B. Waldon 17.1 ppg), but also boast the fifth and sixth all-time leading scorers in C-USA history. Jackson is fifth all-time with 1,455 career points at South Florida, while Waldon is just 44 points behind his teammate heading into their senior seasons. The pair combined to rank ninth in the nation as a tandem in scoring last season.
3. Jimmy Baxter may not be a household name in college basketball, yet, but he certainly is a rising track and field star. As a freshman last season, Baxter qualified for the NCAA Championships with a C-USA record high jump of 7-feet, 2&189; inches. He was one of just two freshman to reach the NCAAs in the high jump. He was even better at the NCAAS, finishing sixth at the championships with a jump of 7-3 to earn All-American honors in track and field.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: The Bulls finally get their act together and make the NCAA Tournament, losing in the first round but at least getting to the Dance.
Worst case: South Florida wins its share, causes problems defensively but still can't get an NCAA bid and ends up in the NIT.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Altron Jackson
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Sr.
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F
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6-6/186
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PTS: 18.9 | REB: 4.9 | AST: 1.9
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B.B. Waldon
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Sr.
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F
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6-8/210
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PTS: 17.1 | REB: 7.2 | AST: 2.1
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Reggie Kohn
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Jr.
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G
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6-1/162
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PTS: 6.5 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 3.7
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Cedric Smith
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G
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6-4/220
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PTS: 10.3 | REB: 4.8 | AST: 3.5
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South Florida Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Kelvin Brown
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F
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6-7
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Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard H.S.
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Marlyn Bryant
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G
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6-4
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Wildwood, Fla./Leesburg H.S.
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Brian Swift
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F
G
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5-9
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Warrensville, Ohio/Warrensville Heights
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Brandon Brigman
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C
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6-9
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Philadelphia, Pa./St. John Neumann
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Greg Brittian
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F
F
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6-6
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Mt. Dora, Fla./Central Florida CC
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