GAME NOTES: The South Florida Bulls wrap up a three-game homestand tonight by hosting the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the Big East opener for both programs. The Bulls have been effective at home this season, winning five of their six outings at the Sun Dome, including an 87-48 drubbing of Winston-Salem State on Saturday. It was the most convincing victory of the season by USF, which has won nine of its last 10 games following an 0-3 start to the season. The Bulls are now hoping they can carry their momentum over into Big East play, where they finished a dismal 3-13 a season ago. As for Rutgers, it put an end to a brief two-game slide by outlasting Manhattan, 73-67, on Saturday. With the win, the Knights improved to 8-5 overall, although that does include a 1-3 mark on the road. Like USF, Rutgers struggled greatly in league play last season, posting the same finish of 3-13. With regards to the all-time series, Rutgers owns a 4-1 edge over USF, although the Bulls lone win came last season, 62-40, in Tampa.

The Knights made good on 47.2 percent of their attempts from the floor and 4- of-10 from long range, as they defeated Manhattan this past weekend. The team also did a good job on defense, holding Manhattan to a sub par 36.9 percent shooting effort from the field. J.R. Inman led the charge with a double-double that consisted of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Farmer also tallied 16 points, while Courtney Nelson had 12 off the bench. For the season, Inman is both the squad's top scorer (16.1 ppg) and rebounder (8.4 rpg) and he has also shown he can been effective out at the perimeter, shooting 41.9 percent from three-point land. Corey Chandler is second on the team in scoring at 14.1 ppg, but he has been slowed by a foot injury and is listed as question for tonight's bout. Farmer chips in with 11.2 ppg for the Knights, who are scoring 66.1 ppg and holding their foes to a similar 65.4 ppg.

The Bulls dominated the boards, 53-31, and held Wiston-Salem State to a dismal 29.5 percent shooting performance from the field in a rout this past weekend. USF, itself, made good on 47.7 percent of its attempts from the floor in the victory. Kentrell Gransberry notched a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead the way. Aaron Holmes posted 20 points off the bench, while Adamu Saaka finished with 17 points. Dominique Jones was limited to just eight points, but he made up for that by dishing out seven assists and grabbing six boards. For the season, Jones leads the team in scoring (15.6 ppg) and steals (27) and he is also collecting 5.2 rpg and distributing 3.4 apg. Gransberry has been a force in the low post and he is one of the few players in the nation averaging a double-double with 14.8 ppg and 11.0 rpg. Chris Howard chips in with 11.8 ppg and he has been responsible for running the offense, handing out a team-best 5.7 apg. As a whole, USF is netting a solid 76.0 ppg this season, in addition to outrebounding its opponents by 5.1 rpg.

The Bulls have the luxury of hosting this game and they are also the more explosive team. With another balanced performance, expect USF to come away with the win tonight.