As we approach a highly anticipated men's 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, SEPT. 22, 2014 - No particular order for this series either, but let's start here, at the beginning.
The opening seasons of USF basketball are a little bit of a mystery. Unlike football, which was documented from all angles when it debuted in 1997, USF basketball started quietly in 1970. Audio tape is rare, video tape is virtually non-existent, and recollections are growing hazy enough to conflict with each other.
A good example is John Kiser and the question of who scored the first USF basket, and when.
What's indisputable is that Kiser was a great high school athlete who helped put USF basketball on the map at the absolute dawn of the program. He was from Indiana, and had offers from around the country, including Purdue. He was a football star too, but something about Tampa and the chance to be part of a brand new program was enough to get him to head south.
The Bulls fielded a freshman only team in 1970-71 and that marked Kiser's USF playing debut. On December 4, 1970, the USF freshman beat the Florida freshman 85-78. On this date, it's clear that Kiser scored the first USF point, hitting a free throw moments in to the game. He had 17 rebounds as well as the Bulls opened their basketball program with a win.
The first game confusion comes from the fact that the Bulls had a second “first game” a year later. The Bulls fielded a varsity team for the first time in the 1971-72 season, and their debut occurred December 1, 1971 against Stetson. Kiser is widely credited with scoring the first USF basket in this game, although an audio play-by-play tape of the broadcast, unearthed just recently, clearly credits another player with the first hoop.
Regardless, it's documented that Kiser scored 30 in that game, which the Bulls won 74-73. He averaged 18 points per game that season.
Despite being slowed by an injury late in his career, Kiser played all four years at USF; one on the freshman team and three on the varsity. He scored 920 varsity points.
Kiser returned to USF in 1995, to be honored with his team on the 25th anniversary of Bulls basketball. He died in 2007 at age 55.
USF basketball recruiting was surprisingly national in the early days. Pulling Kiser out of basketball rich Indiana was a coup for Coach Don Williams and his staff. Regardless of who actually scored that first varsity basket, Kiser made a huge contribution to the program, taking the leap of faith to be a Bull before anyone else did.
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.
