Bulls and Dares: High School Reunion Decides if USF is Big East Bust

South Florida, the beneficiary of a favorable first-half schedule in Big East Conference competition, was enjoying its best season since joining the league in 2005-06. But a seasoned observer, sizing up the remaining Big East slate, would dare anyone to bet on the Bulls reaching the NCAA playoffs for the first time in 20 years.

If they do, senior Augustus Gilchrist will need to finally live up to the billing accorded him when he joined them with Terrelle Woody, an aide/personal trainer at the private Maryland prep school where home schooler Gilchrist played as a high school senior.

NCAA legislation has slowed the "strings attached" element whereby standout high school players are reunited with prep connections at the collegiate level.