Men's Basketball October 21, 2014 USF

10 Essential Bulls: Radenko Dobras

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As we approach a highly anticipated USF basketball season, let's look back at some of the student-athletes who got us here. Our list of 10 essential USF basketball players may not line up perfectly with yours; discussion and debate is welcomed.

We'll list these 10 players in no particular order. They may or may not have huge statistics, and they may or may not have been a part of the big plays we all remember. But because of their talent, their effort or even their timing, they provided a major influence on our USF men's basketball program.

By JIM LOUK
Voice of the Bulls

TAMPA, OCT. 21, 2014 - The 1988-89 USF basketball season ended on March 4 in the old Charlotte Coliseum at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. USF lost in the first round, and the team finished 7-21. That made the cumulative record 21-63 over the prior three seasons.

And we felt pretty good.

Not about the past, obviously, but about the future. There had been signs that year. Not wins, but signs. The Bulls had taken Florida to overtime before losing. They had taken Miami to double overtime on the road before losing. Even in the Sun Belt Tournament, they had led heavily favored South Alabama most of the way before falling in the final minutes. Nothing to be satisfied with; losses are losses; but there were signs. There was talent, and the team was extremely young. Virtually everyone was coming back.

Among the returnees was a guard from Yugoslavia who had seemingly gone directly from the Tampa airport to the opening game that year. Learning English along the way, Radenko Dobras had averaged 16 points per game in his first year, all the while adjusting to life in America.

He was 6-foot-7 and could hit a three. In early 1990's basketball, that was exceedingly rare. Opponents didn't know how to defend him; guards weren't big enough, forwards weren't quick enough. It's amazing to think what an anomaly Dobras was in the college game, only 25 years ago.

As that 1988-89 season ended, none of us could predict the turnaround the next three years would bring, but we did know we had a chance, in part because of Radenko Dobras.

If you know Bulls basketball history, you can take the narrative from here. The next three years, the Bulls went 58-32 with the program's first two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT game as well.

Dobras was far from the only reason, but he was at the heart of this great time in Bulls basketball history. Over his four year career, he played in 114 games, starting every one. His 1,935 points is still third all-time at USF. He brought the same game every night; never averaging less than 16 points or more than 18 points per game in any season.

His final game was in Boise in the NCAA Tournament in March 1992. It wasn't hard to see that it was the end of an era; Dobras was one of seven seniors finishing their USF careers that day. It was soon time to rebuild again; the 1992-93 squad won just eight games.

During his career, the Bulls transitioned from the Sun Belt to the Metro. Conference competition improved and the Bulls drew a reputation as a difficult team to play. After that first season of success, they snuck up on no one. Dobras's numbers never wavered.

It took the Bulls two decades to get back to the NCAA Tournament. Dobras, now a USF Athletics Hall of Fame member, is still visible in the stands at many home games, a pleasant reminder of a great time in USF basketball history.

USF men's basketball season tickets are on sale now and available online at GoUSFBulls.com, by calling 1-800-GoBulls, or in person at the USF Ticket Office. Season ticket members may renew their tickets online today.

The Bulls return three players who saw playing time last season in Corey Allen Jr., Anthony Collins, and Chris Perry. USF welcomes six newcomers as well as Jake Bodway, Dre Clayton and Bo Zeigler who redshirted their freshman season. Orlando Antigua is in his first season as head coach after spending the past five seasons as an assistant coach at Kentucky.