WASHINGTON, DC - Coming off of a huge, validating win against perennial powerhouse Duke, Hoyas fans were probably already looking past USF to the Big East showdown with conference-leading Villanova.

 

Not for even a second did anyone really consider that the Bulls, who hadn’t been able to establish themselves among the conference’s best, would have a shot at beating a Hoyas team that already looked to be tournament ready.  Well, no one but the Bulls themselves.  Apparently, believing in yourself is enough to get the job done.  On Wednesday, USF used a nearly flawless second half offensive surge to upset the seventh-ranked Hoyas at home, 72-64.

The Hoyas (16-5 overall, 6-4 conference) controlled the first half of play, shooting 60 percent from the field and holding USF to just under 36 percent shooting en route to a nine-point halftime advantage.

The mojo shifted after the half, however, and the Bulls reversed the stats on the Hoyas, shooting 65 percent from the field and limiting the Georgetown to just 36 percent.  In the first half Georgetown center Greg Monroe was unstoppable, in the second half it was the Bulls’ Jones’ time to shine.

After holding the Bulls most potent offensive weapon, Dominique Jones scoreless for much of the first half, the Georgetown defense couldn’t seem to find a way to slow his roll in the second.  Jones exploded for 29 points, a game high, and carried the Bulls to victory.

The hyperbole was free flowing in an understandably enthusiastic Bulls locker room following the game. USF Coach Stan Heath called the win the best win school history.

"I have no idea if they were enjoying Duke or looking Villanova," Heath told reporters, "But we played really well. We played really hard. We became the more aggressive team in the second half."

South Florida did indeed play like the team that knew they were supposed to win the game during the second half, while the Hoyas appeared to be caught off guard by the fact that they were allowing the Bulls to dictate the game to them.

Outside of Monroe and guard Austin Freeman, who each scored 21 points, the Hoyas received little offense and displayed zero defensive prowess.  The rest of the Hoyas completed just 8-of-25 attempts from the field and just o1-of-12 three point attempts.  Georgetown also committed far too many turnovers (14) against a USF team that was doing a good job of holding onto the ball themselves and making the most of the Hoyas’ missed opportunities.

While the loss is disappointing for sure, the Hoyas have little time to reflect on what might have gone wrong and find ways to correct those problems.  The Hoyas next face a Villanova team that is certainly on a roll, and any of the mystique and aura of invulnerability the Hoyas may have created for themselves with their thrashing of Duke is likely undermined by their home loss to USF.

Monroe couldn’t explain the loss, but knows things better change quickly.

“I don't know exactly what happened tonight. We definitely weren't looking backwards, and we definitely weren't looking forwards. As a team, we have to be more focused to win games like this.”