Friday, November 14th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: USF Sun Dome (10,411) -- Tampa, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: SMU 0-0, USF 0-0. Away Record: SMU 0-0, USF 0-0. Neutral Record: SMU 0-0, USF 0-0. Conference Record: SMU 0-0, USF 0-0. Series Record: SMU leads, 2-0.

GAME NOTES: A couple of teams hoping a new season will bring them better fortunes clash in Tampa tonight, as the South Florida Bulls host the SMU Mustangs in a non-league battle. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Stan Heath, the Bulls were more competitive last season, but they still finished well below .500 at 12-19. A majority of those setbacks though, came against tough Big East competition, as USF owned a solid 9-4 record against non-league foes. Four starters are welcomed back from last year's club, but the Bulls still have a lot of improving to do before they could be considered a challenger the postseason. As for SMU, it took a step in the wrong direction in its second season under head coach Matt Doherty, finishing just 10-20 in 2007-08. Doherty however, has brought in a highly regarded recruiting class and that should have this program on the rise. Even though four starters do return from a year ago, the Ponies still don't have what it takes to be a contender this season. SMU leads the all-time series with USF, 2-0, but this will be the first meeting between the programs since the 1987-88 season.

The only senior on the roster for SMU this season is Bamba Fall, a 7-1 center that is a solid defensive presence and a decent scorer (11.8 ppg) and rebounder (5.6 rpg). He will be joined down low by 6-9 Papa Dia, who turned in 9.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg as a freshman last season. Alex Malone also enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2007-08 and the 6-8 forward will look to improve on his 7.6 ppg average. In the backcourt, Mike Walker (5.4 ppg) and Ryan Harp (4.4 ppg) return to their starting roles following respectable freshman campaigns and don't be surprised to see heralded recruit Paul McCoy log a lot of minutes at the perimeter as well.

The Bulls' strength this season will reside in the backcourt thanks a trio of returning starters in Dominique Jones, Jesus Verdejo and Chris Howard. Jones highlights the trio and the team and he could be ready to emerge as one of the top players in the nation after averaging 17.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg as a freshman last season. Verdejo was also a steady contributor with 10.7 ppg last season, while Howard ran the show with a team-best 5.0 apg to his credit. Up front, USF doesn't have many options so they are hoping 6-9 Mobolaji Ajayi is ready to step up and improve on his mere 2.7 ppg from a season.

USF clearly has the better backcourt here and that should help it control the game and walk away with the victory.

Predicted Outcome

South Florida 67, SMU 53