The Friday rewind notebook

With the first week of school in the books, it’s time to look back on seven days of sports news in and around USF. Here are just some of the notable happenings in the first days of the spring season.

Don’t they watch football?: During Wednesday’s women’s basketball game, a female Rutgers fan was tossed out for throwing one of the USF novelty balls onto the court during the game.

Unseen by the athletics staff, the ball was first thrown at the Rutgers fans by a group of Bulls fans. The retaliator, whose seat was about 20 rows up from the floor, was a little overzealous with her throw, and it sailed over the mob and onto the court.

This just in: It was documented that Muggsy Bogues, the diminutive coach of the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting, was in town to scout Rutgers point guard Cappie Pondexter, but left impressed with Jessica Dickson. But what was most surprising was when Bogues declared his aversion to pizza. Why didn’t Bogues care that the press room was out of pizza?

“I’m allergic to cheese,” Bogues said. You heard it here first, folks. Apparently Bogues has no problem tackling the 7-foot monsters in the NBA, but can’t handle the 7-oz. Muensters in the dairy section.

Colorblind: If you have driven around campus, then you have seen the newly powerwashed and colorful signs meant to help guide visitors around USF. But the colors – I’ve seen light green, red, blue and some sort of burnt yellow – offer no help to describe the place and seem to have little relevance. Maybe they are mood paints, because I distinctly remember feeling “red” when I passed the Marshall Center yesterday. If someone can explain the meaning behind the rainbow paint selection, please send an e-mail to oraclesports@yahoo.com.

Pimp my arena: The Sun Dome has new screens, and I have to admit: They are pretty nice. But they just seem a little out of place. Putting quality monitors in the Sun Dome is like putting 20-inch rims on a Dodge Stratus, or like putting a hobo in an Armani suit. The screens are nice for a while, but it can only divert the ugliness and obsolescence of the 20-year-old structure for maybe a few more years.

I have an announcement: A big surprise came today on ESPN’s Bottom Line, as it was announced that Bush will not enter the draft this season – Louisville running back Michael Bush, that is. I understand giving attention to USC’s Reggie Bush, but not Michael. Here’s a guy who had about 1,100 rushing yards in Louisville’s potent offense -those are not exactly Doak Walker-like numbers.

Get here now: With the recent addition of Arizona transfer Jesus Verdejo to the program, coach Robert McCullum now has two players joining a team that could use extra bodies (Kentrell Gransberry, a LSU transfer, is the other). I have a feeling that when McCullum looks over to his bench during games, he makes a silent prayer that Jesus will suddenly appear there.