TRIO OF BULLS FINISH AMONG NATION’S BEST

[Brad]

Courtesy USF SID

TRIO OF BULLS FINISH AMONG NATION’S BEST

GRANSBERRY, MATTIS AND BOZEMAN ALL AMONG TOP NCAA DIVISION I PERFORMERS

Tampa, Fla. (April 5, 2007) –  A trio of University of South Florida men’s basketball players distinguished themselves among the nation’s top performers in 2006-07 and each student-athlete can find his name in the final statistics compiled by the NCAA.

Junior center Kentrell Gransberry, senior forward McHugh Mattis and freshman guard Solomon Bozeman all posted season-long efforts few players were able to surpass.

Gransberry concluded the campaign ranked third in the nation in rebounding (11.4 rpg.) and topped the BIG EAST in that category as well.  The Baton Rouge, La., is the first USF player to lead the conference in rebounding since Gary Alexander in 1992.  The All-BIG EAST Second Team member also finished the year 30th in the nation in field goal percentage (.577) and sixth in the league.

Mattis swatted a program single-season record 109 shots in 2006-07 and finished fourth in the nation with 3.6 blocks per game.  The 6-6, 190-pounder was second in the BIG EAST in that category and also finished 44th in the nation in field goal percentage (.553).  He owns third place all-time at USF with 171 blocks, despite playing just two seasons.

Bozeman converted on 88.4 percent (130-of-147) of his free throw opportunities to rank 16th in the nation and second in the BIG EAST in that category.  Only Cal Glover’s season-long effort of 88.9 percent in 1976-77 surpasses Bozeman’s debut campaign.

The Bulls also collected a pair of single-game performances rarely matched in 2006-07.  Mattis’ 10 blocks helped him to a triple-double against Winston-Salem State (12/7) and tied for the eighth-best effort in one outing this season.  Gransberry’s 23 rebounds at DePaul (3/3) were surpassed by only Arizona Reid of High Point, who corralled 25 boards against VMI.  Texas freshman Kevin Durant also posted a 23-rebound game.

Rebounds Per Game

Kentrell Gransberry, 3rd (11.4 rpg.)

Blocks Per Game

McHugh Mattis, 4th (3.6 bpg.)

Field Goal Percentage

Kentrell Gransberry, 30th (57.7)

McHugh Mattis, 44th (55.3)

Free Throw Percentage

Solomon Bozeman, 16th (88.4)

[SeaBull]

If we pick up one or two outstanding freshman, I think we'll have a team.

We'll need a 3-pt shooter and someone to replace Mattis on D...but what do I know?

[Velcro]

3 pt shooters playing next season:

Aaron Holmes

Dante Curry

[Unintelligibull]

We're in good shape if we can get a replacement for Mattis. We have a legit shot at Beverly as well as Jenirro Bush. If those two come aboard we're looking at a major turnaround with a possible NCAA bid.

Mac obviously did get us some solid players, just not enough.

[NormalBull]

Reminder:  If, and that is a huge IF, Beverley transfers he will have to sit out all of next season.  Bush might eventually become a good replacement for Mattis, but only if and that's only a big If, he signs with us and develops his game in the Big East like Mattis did.

Normal

[Guest BasketBull.]

3 pt shooters playing next season:

Aaron Holmes

Dante Curry

I saw Curry shoot 3s ---he shoots them just like me...

[ProfessaBull]

Good post Bulliever, this just further solidifies the fact that MAC didn't know how use his power tools.

Congrats to those 3 and I can't WAIT to see what STAN the MAN will do with this kind of talent.

[Velcro]

3 pt shooters playing next season:

Aaron Holmes

Dante Curry

I saw Curry shoot 3s ---he shoots them just like me...

well then we should sign you up!

[Triple B]

Good post Bulliever, this just further solidifies the fact that MAC didn't know how use his power tools.

Actually, he used his power tools fine ... what few he had ... this year, and the years to come, the tool box will be fuller.

[Triple B]

We're in good shape if we can get a replacement for Mattis.

If Stan has the people that can develop those type players like Mac's guys did with Mattis and Jones, Saaka should replace McHugh with no problem.