USF men’s basketball is looking for several things (wins, a renovated Sun Dome, a new practice facility, the Big East Tournament expanding to 16 teams, etc.), but according to a release on the school’s official website, the most pressing concern is players. The Bulls need bodies - somebody, anybody - to practice for their mid-August trip to Italy. The only requirements appear to be that they are a current USF student and have a pulse (not in that order).

The Marines want a few good men; the Bulls just want a few walk-ons. Just curious, though, why the men’s team doesn’t do what it’s done in the past when it needs players - recruit practice players off USF’s women’s team?

Anyway, the Bulls actually have more than enough players (14) on their roster this season. But after subtracting incoming freshmen, transfers and injured players, the roster is quickly downsized to six players - seniors Melvin Buckley, McHugh Mattis, Chris Capko, Melvyn Richardson and Eddie Lovett and sophomore Aris Williams - that can make the trip to Italy. Redshirt freshman Zaronn Cann also is eligible to make the trip, but hasn’t been cleared to practice yet after undergoing knee surgery last year.

Transfers Jesus Verdejo and Kentrell Gransberry can practice, but aren’t eligible to make the trip. The first game Verdejo and Gransberry will be eligible for is Dec. 17 in USF’s opener at the Duel in the Desert Tournament against Norfolk State in Las Vegas. Both are expected to be immediate starters. The Bulls are also hoping PG Chris Howard, who tore his ACL for a second time two weeks ago, may not miss the entire season. The best case scenario is that Howard could return by mid-January (figured I’d save some good news until the end to make sure you’re still reading).