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Game Preview: USF at Appalachian State

South Florida looks to end a two game losing streak, and avoid falling below .500 on the season, when they take on Appalachian State tonight in Boone, N.C. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

This is the second game in a two game road trip in North Carolina. Thursday night the Bulls fell in overtime at Elon 79-78. Graduate transfers Payton Banks and Stephan Jiggetts each set season highs in points with 23 and 21, respectively. It was the first time since Dec. 12, 2016 that two USF players scored 20 or more points in a single game.

Brian Gregory (Photo by: Jason Getz/USA TODAY)
Brian Gregory (Photo by: Jason Getz/USA TODAY) (Jason Getz)

RunningTheBulls.com has your quick facts and what to watch for against Appalachian State:

Quick Facts

Matchup: USF (4-4) at Appalachian State (4-4)

Date: Saturday, Dec. 2

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Boone, N.C. | Holmes Convocation Center (8,325)

Watch: None

Radio: AM 820 | USF Bulls Unlimited (Jim Lighthall, Joey Johnston)

History: This is the second meeting all-time between the two schools. USF won the only previous meeting in the 1994-95 season 86-71 in the Sun Dome.

The Opponent: Appalachian State is a solid opponent that returns 12 players, including three starters, from last season’s team. They gave Iowa State all they could handle, before losing by six, and they beat a good Texas-El Paso team. App State is a young but dangerous team and they love to push pace. They are sixth in the nation in three-pointers made (88) and is 15th in scoring offense (90.0 ppg). The Mountaineers are also one of the top rebounding teams in the nation, averaging 47.3 rebounds per game, which is third in the country. In addition, App State also ranks fourth in total rebounds (378) and 12th in rebound margin (+11.6).

Junior Ronshad Shabazz moved over to point guard this season but he is still wired to score and not afraid to let it fly. He leads the team in scoring at 22.1 points per game. His scoring total ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference and 22nd in the nation. Shabazz gets to the free throw line frequently, drawing 6.3 fouls per 40 minutes played.

Freshman guard Justin Forrest did not start Appalachian State’s first six games, but he has started the last two. In the two games he started Forrest has averaged 14 points and four rebounds. He’s also hit 35.7 percent (5-of-14) three-point attempts. Coming off the bench against James Madison, Forrest scored 36 points. In the loss to Iowa State he had 32. Forrest adds a second perimeter scorer to the App State offense, something they haven’t had recently.

The Mountaineers have three interchangeable front court players in Griffin Kinney, Isaac Johnson and Tyrell Johnson. They’re long, skilled, versatile and athletic. We particularly liked what we saw from Isaac Johnson when we scouted App State’s game at Virginia Commonwealth. He is a mobile 6-foot-9, 212-pounder who is a good pick and roll, roll man. He also showed that he has the ability to put the ball on the deck and get to the basket in just two dribbles, from 19-feet out, and score.

Head Coach Jim Fox is in his fourth season as head coach of the Mountaineers. He has compiled a 34-64 overall record. Fox came to Appalachian State from Davidson, where he was an assistant for 13 seasons, including the last two as associate head coach.

Game Outlook

USF has to get back on defense. Let us repeat, USF has to get back on defense.

App State’s secondary break can be lethal. Earlier we said they love to push pace, App State scores almost 45 percent of their points in the first ten seconds of the shot clock. They send four guys to the offensive glass, which is unusual, so USF has to be tough on the boards. The Bulls will also need to get into the gaps on defense against App State’s dribble drive.

On offense the Bulls need to be tough with the ball and aggressive. They can’t play 30 feet from the basket against this man defense. App State likes to do some switching, so USF can’t let that disrupt them from what they’re trying to do.

If the Bulls had more than one day to watch video and walk through what they need to do I’d like their chances much better against the Mountaineers, especially coming off of a double overtime game. However, if if’s and buts were candy and nuts, oh what a party we’d have.

David Collins' availability is questionable for App State. The freshman guard missed the Elon game with a left knee injury and is out pending further evaluation.

Prediction

USF 66 Appalachian State 72

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