USF Athletics

Grad Transfers Lead Bulls Into Five-Game Home Stand

December 10, 2017

MATCHUP: Florida International (4-4) at USF (4-5)
DATE: Monday, Dec. 11
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Sun Dome
TV: ESPN3 (Drew Fellios, Mark Wise)
RADIO: 820-AM | USF Bulls Unlimited (Jim Lighthall, Joey Johnston)
TWITTER UPDATES: @USFMBB
TICKETS: USFBullsTix.com
USF GAME NOTES
LIVE STATS
 

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, DEC. 10, 2017 – Nine games in, USF's new leaders are looking to boost the Bulls during a crucial, five-game home stretch.

USF (4-5) returns to the Sun Dome for the first time since Nov. 26 to host Florida International (4-4) on Monday at 7 p.m.

Heading into the season, head coach Brian Gregory said he would lean heavily on USF's three new grad transfers for leadership and production. So far, Payton Banks, Stephan Jiggetts and Terrence Samuel are off to promising starts.

"Thrown into a difficult situation, all of them in new, expanded roles with greater responsibility thrown on their shoulders. You couldn't ask for more of what they've done for us," Gregory said. "At the same time, you've got to keep asking for more."

Banks (Orange, Calif) leads the team in scoring (13.4 ppg) and three-pointers (2.3 pg) while averaging 4.2 rebounds as a trusty wing. The Penn State transfer has knocked down four three-pointers in three different games this season, including his 23-point night at Elon on Nov. 30.

Jiggetts (Forestville, Md.) has provided some excitement at point guard, averaging 12.1 points, 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. Home fans rocked the Sun Dome on opening night, when Jiggetts hit a go-ahead, pull-up jumper with 12 seconds left in a 60-59 victory over Florida Atlantic on Nov. 10.

"(Gregory) sees us as the leaders of the team. He wants us to run the offense and things like that, get our guys going," Jiggetts said. "As far as us getting in the swing of it, we're just embracing our role."

Samuel (Brooklyn, N.Y.) has proven to be a gritty guard Gregory can rely on for scoring (8.0 ppg), assists (team-best 4.3 pg) and rebounding (4.9 pg), even if it requires throwing his body on the floor for a board.

"He's kind of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type of player," Gregory said. "That versatility gives him the opportunity to impact the game in different ways."

Grad Transfers Stick Together
Coming to USF from Penn State, Banks and Samuel already knew each other well and have quickly formed a close bond with Jiggetts, a transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson.

"We all have the same exact schedule, from study hall to class, to practice, to film session, to one-on-one meetings with Coach Gregory," Jiggetts said. "I'm with them 24/7 and they're right next door to me in the apartment. We see each other all day."

Bulls Bits

• REFRESHED BULLS READY FOR HOME STAND: Finals week served as a blessing for USF, which got to rest up last week after playing nine games in the span of 23 days. Monday's test against FIU marks USF's first game in nine days. "Having a week off, our guys did a great job in the classroom, so that's a positive, a very important part of the program," Gregory said. "Now we need to get back on the court, get to some practice and start making some development in some key areas."
• USF-FIU SERIES HISTORY: USF is 12-2 in its all-time series with FIU and 8-0 at home. USF posted a 77-69 victory in the programs' last meeting on Nov. 26, 2007.
• HOME, SWEET HOME: USF will play four home games before opening conference play against Houston at the Sun Dome on Thursday, Dec. 28. The Bulls won't hit the road again until a New Year's Eve matchup with SMU in Dallas.

 
About USF Men's Basketball
The USF men's basketball team is led by head coach Brian Gregory. On March 22, Gregory was introduced as the 10^th head coach in program history. He previously led programs at Georgia Tech (2011-16) and Dayton (2003-11). Gregory spent nearly a decade as an assistant coach under Michigan State's Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo and helped the Spartans win the 2000 NCAA National Championship. Gregory brings nearly 250 career head coaching wins and six postseason appearances, including the 2010 NIT Championship, to Tampa.

USF has retired three numbers in its 47-year history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30) and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids and appeared in the NIT eight times.

For tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com.