South Florida coach Stan Heath worst fears were realized when it was determined that junior guard Mike Mercer tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

Mercer, who became eligible just a couple weeks ago after sitting out a year after transferring from Georgia, suffered the injury in the Wright State game.

He had played in just four games and was expected to give Heath a nucleus with Dominique Jones, Jesus Verdejo and freshman Gus Gilchrist that would allow the Bulls to be - at the very least - competitive in a loaded Big East.