Famous stuck in NY; Jones seeks to regain shooting touch

Posted Feb 26, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Feb 26, 2010 at 01:21 PM

A couple of notes from basketball practice:

—Junior C/F Jarrid Famous remains in New York delayed by weather. Famous returned to New York following Wednesday night’s loss at Villanova to spend time with his newborn daughter.

He didn’t start Wednesday’s game after missing a couple of practices and he will not start Saturday’s home game against Providence. However, Bulls coach Stan Heath expects him to play if Famous can get back to Florida. Heath said he texted with him early Friday morning and that Famous is actively trying to get back if the weather cooperates.

“I wouldn’t start him. I don’t see any reason why he won’t be available to play,’’ Heath said Friday morning. “I expected him back sooner. We had talked about him coming back right after the game, but a couple of situations popped up with his baby that he needed to go back.’‘

—Speaking of Famous, he has played in all but one game after suffering a knee injury in practice two weeks ago when he got tangled up with teammate Alex Rivas in practice.

Heath said Famous is still not back to 100 percent but hopes he will be by the time the Big East Tournament rolls around.

“[The knee] slows him down. It does affect him,’’ Heath said. “He’s not maybe exploding and running as well as he did before, and I think he is tentative in some areas. It has slowed him down, but I think it’s going to improve and get better, and hopefully in another week or so he’ll improve and get better.’‘

—USF junior G Dominique Jones was courtside eating a bowl of soup and listening to Wyclef Jean on his laptop prior to practice. Jones still feels a little under the weather and has been battling some type of bug all week.

Jones was 2-for-10 shooting in the loss at Villanova and is 24-for-78 (30.7 percent) over the past five games.

“Maybe I’m doing a little too much thinking when I get so open,’’ Jones said after Wednesday’s loss. “I just need to focus, look at film, regroup and get this team back on track.’’