Are USF and Thomas still a possible match

When Rob Thomas didn't sign with USF as expected last November, it might have signaled to some that the star prep school forward had written the Bulls off, but that is definitely not the case, according to South Kent (Conn.) Prep head coach Raphael Chillious.

"Coach (Robert) McCullum was here and they spoke last week," Chillious said. "(Thomas') interest in USF is still pretty strong because he really likes Coach McCullum. He came to me and asked to talk to him. They have a very good relationship."

Although the Bulls were once the clear front-runner, however, Thomas is now involved primarily with five schools – USF, St. John's, Arizona, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech. Chillious said Thomas expects to schedule official visits in the spring, but will wait until after he takes the SAT to set those dates.

Thomas, a native of Harlem, N.Y., figures to have extra time to weigh his options. He was leading the way for powerful South Kent – averaging 23 points per game – until recently suffering an injury to the peroneal tendon in his ankle. Thomas is currently wearing a boot to protect the injury and is expected to miss the final three weeks of South Kent's season.

Prior to the injury, Chillious said Thomas had added an extra dimension to his game.

"He'd always been good in the post, but he's developed more of a perimeter package and his ball handling is better this year," Chillious said.

So what made Thomas ultimately decide not to sign with USF last fall?

"I think the main thing is that he wasn't quite sure because he never saw (the campus). He has to be comfortable at a place or it's going to affect him. He's that kind of kid," Chillious said. "But I know the Big East is a draw for him whether he's playing in New York or Florida because he wants to be able to have his parents come to the games in New York."

Chillious also thinks the Bulls' initial struggles in the Big East have not had a negative impact on his star forward.

"I know he's watched a lot of their games and seen that they're in so many of them right down to the end. If anything, I think he sees that he'd have a chance to come in and make an impact right away for them," Chillious said.