The sports world is full of unspoken rules, like not getting caught videotaping your opponents during practice and not trying to get penetration on a victory formation. One of those unspoken rules is that a departing coach does not go after recruits he signed with his former school, unless he was fired from that school. Former head coach, Willie Taggart, has done some things that bordered on that line of behavior, like passing for touchdowns in the final seconds of a game where his team leads by double digits. Now, as the coach of the Oregon Ducks, Taggart continues to tread that line of questionable behavior, by targeting players who have committed to play at USF.
Apopka wide receiver, Demetri Burch, has joined Cocoa athlete, Bruce Judson Jr. in scheduling an official visit with Oregon. What makes this situation worse is that the 2017 class that Taggart built at USF is one of the worst in program history, a fact ignored when his record has been discussed. Scout currently ranks USF 84th in the nation, with only Cincinnati, Temple, and Tulsa ranking lower for AAC teams. While that is the worst ranked class since 2004, his 2016 and 2015 classes are the next worst two years, ranked 78th and 73rd, respectively. His average class ranking, which is buoyed by Skip Holtz’ 2013 class, is 68th, and trending downward. For perspective and context, Hotlz’ classes averaged 59th and Jim Leavitt’s classes averaged 45th. The best year Taggart had was 2014, when he recruited the 46th ranked class in the country.
Looking Back
USF men’s basketball guard, Jahmal McMurray is leaving the school. He has requested and been granted a release from his basketball playing commitment to the university. After last night’s game against NIU, head coach, Orlando Antigua, got a little tense when asked questions about McMurray’s departure. He refused to elaborate much beyond his official statement. He did say he “loves the kid”, but would not characterize McMurray’s reasons. The Bulls began the season with McMurray serving a six game suspension for unspecified disciplinary reasons. Whether or not his transfer is related to other behavior problems may never be known, but Antigua’s demeanor when asked about McMurray seemed firm and not perceiving a negative impact on his team. He said, “you go with who you got, you got with who’s here, and that’s what we’re gonna do.” After most games, players are available for comment at the press conference. That video is oftentimes not interesting and isn’t being shared, here. Given the circumstances, the final press conference video of Jahmal McMurray, which occurred after the South Carolina loss, will appear with this article to offer possible context to his state of mind prior to the request for transfer. McMurray was averaging more than 20 points per game for the Bulls.
USF lost the basketball game to NIU, 59-48. It is probably not a coincidence that the same day they lose McMurray they have their lowest scoring game of the season.
The women’s basketball team rebounded from their first loss of the season, beating Santa Clara 63-54 in the PLAY4KAY tournament. USF will face either New Mexico State or UNLV in their next matchup.
Looking Forward