Famous Ready for Starring Role

Posted Dec 16, 2009 by Scott Carter

Updated Dec 16, 2009 at 02:45 AM

After Sunday’s 59-56 loss to Central Michigan, USF junior C/F Jarrid Famous was so disturbed by his play that he apologized to his teammates and coaches.

“It took us too long to get into the game, especially me,’’ Famous said Tuesday. “I just know I have to step it up and do what I have to do while Gus is gone.’’

Gus, of course, is F Gus Gilchrist, the Bulls’ leading scorer at 18.8 points per game. Gilchrist, who walked Tuesday without the protective boot on his injured right ankle for the first time since suffering the injury eight days earlier, was out of the lineup Sunday. He’ll remain out of action for at least another four weeks most likely.

Without Gilchrist, Famous (10.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg) must do a lot better than the five points and one rebound he produced in the loss to Central Michigan. He’ll get an opportunity tonight at the Sun Dome when UCF comes to town.

Bulls coach Stan Heath essentially challenged Famous on Tuesday during his weekly press conference.

“I don’t think we saw the true Jarrid Famous in the last game,” Heath said. “Jarrid wasn’t in the game for some reason. It was by far his worst game of the year. He is so used to having his buddy next to him … he got a lot more attention than probably he had with Gus.

“He’s got to be more aggressive, he’s got to create more of a presence of wanting the ball. There’s just no excuse. You can’t play 32 minutes and get one rebound. A dead man can almost get that, too. He knows that. I don’t want all the responsibility on him, because it was across the board. But I do know Jarrid is capable of producing more points and rebounds than he did in the last game.”

Famous, who averaged 25 points and 13 rebounds a game last season at Westchester (N.Y.) Community College, didn’t mind his coach’s critical analysis. Instead, he embraces the challenge.

“I’m comfortable with that role,’’ he said. “I’ve had that role in JC and in high school. They want me to rebound more, be stronger offensively and defensively, get stops and score the ball.’’