Conference openers tonight:

• East Carolina (NET: #239) at Florida Atlantic (#18) 7pm on espn2
• Charlotte (#112) at SMU (#47) 9pm on espn2
• UAB (#215) at UTSA (#289) 9pm on ESPNU

Coach quoting Tupac

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TAMPA, Fla. (February 17, 2024) – The University of South Florida men's basketball team stays inside the friendly confines of the Yuengling Center on Sunday, Feb. 18, as No. 24 Florida Atlantic makes the trip to town. The Bulls (18-5, 11-1 AAC) and the Owls (20-5, 10-2 AAC) are slated for a noon tip on ESPN.



The first 1,000 fans will receive a SoFlo replica jersey. 5,000 SoFlo Bulls script t-shirts will be placed in the 100 level and certain parts of the 200 level. For all things related to game day, click here. With the sellout crowd, fans are encouraged to arrive early.



The Bulls extended their winning streak to 10 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history. The 11 wins in conference play are the second most in program history behind the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12. The 10-game winning streak is the second-longest winning streak in program history, trailing only the 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season.



CY in the YC

Earlier this week, Chris Youngblood was named to the AAC Honor Roll for his performance last week. Last week, he led the Bulls with 18.5 points per game for the week as South Florida recorded a 2-0 week. He shot 50.0 percent (13-for-26) from the field, 53.8 percent (7-for-13) from 3-point range, and 80.0 percent (4-for-5) from the free-throw line. He notched a 13-point performance against Charlotte. He added four rebounds, two assists, and one block. Against Rice, he produced a game-high 24 points. He went 6-for-7, 85.7 percent, from 3-point range. He added four rebounds, one block, and one steal. For the season, he paces the team with 14.7 points per game. He is averaging 2.6 rebounds per game to go along with 49 assists, 14 blocks, and 13 steals. He is shooting 82.8 percent from the free-throw line, which is tied for 136th in the country and is sixth in the AAC. His 2.22 3-pointers per game are tied for 177th in the country and seventh in the conference.



‘Sel’ing Point

Selton Miguel is 226th in the country with 2.09 3-pointers per game, which is tied for 11th in the conference. He is second on the team with 14.3 points per contest. He is fourth on the squad with 3.7 boards per game. He is third on the squad with 24 steals and is second on the team with 54 assists. He has added seven blocks.



Pryor on Fire

Kasean Pryor leads the team with 7.4 rebounds per contest. His 5.91 defensive rebounds per game are 74th in the NCAA and fifth in the AAC. He is third on the squad averaging 12.0 points per game. He has a team-best 18 blocks. He is tied for the team lead with 27 steals. He has added 36 assists. He is shooting 83.0 percent from the free-throw line, which is 128th in the country and fourth in the conference.



Bulls at a Glance

Jayden Reid leads the team with 82 assists. He is tied for 198th in the NCAA with 3.6 assists per game and is tied for eighth in the AAC. He has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.34, which is tied for 87th in the country, fifth in the conference, and eighth among NCAA freshmen. He is tied for the team lead with 27 steals. He averages 2.7 rebounds per game to go along with 6.7 points per contest. Kobe Knox is second on the team with 17 blocks. He averages 8.8 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game. Brandon Stroud is second on the team with 5.9 rebounds per contest. He averages 5.6 points a game with 28 assists, 20 steals, and seven blocks.



Strong Bench

South Florida’s bench is tied for 43rd in the NCAA and is third in the conference averaging 26.52 points per contest. The USF bench has outscored its opponent's bench 610-416. Opposing benches are averaging just 18.08 points per game.



Cashing in on Free Opportunities

The Bulls are tied for 75th in the NCAA and sixth in the conference with 15.4 made free throws per game. USF is tied for 85th in the country with 21.1 free-throw attempts per game, which is sixth in the AAC.



Fast and Furious

The Bulls have been playing stout defense and are tied for 63rd in the NCAA with a turnover margin of 2.1, which is fourth in the conference. South Florida is 109th in the country with 12.91 forced turnovers per contest, which is sixth in the AAC. USF has used the turnovers to lead to fastbreak opportunities. The Bulls are 106th in the nation with 11.35 fastbreak points per game, which is eighth in the conference.



Last Time Out

South Florida defeated Tulsa 69-50. The Bulls extended their winning streak to 10 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history. The 11 wins in conference play are the second most in program history behind the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12. The 10-game winning streak is the second-longest winning streak in program history, trailing only the 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season. Kobe Knox finished with a team-high 14 points with two rebounds and one block. Kasean Pryor recorded his seventh double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. He dished out a game-high five assists. Selton Miguel closed out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. He added three rebounds and three assists. Brandon Stroud tied for a game-high two blocks to go along with seven points, six rebounds, and one steal. The Bulls held the Golden Hurricane to a season-low 50 points. Tulsa entered the game averaging 76.1 points per game. The stout USF defense held TU to its second-lowest field goal percentage of the season at 35.7 percent and its lowest 3-point percentage at 12.5 percent.



History with Florida Atlantic

The Bulls and Owls will meet for the 17th time in program history. South Florida holds a 14-2 series advantage. USF has won the last two meetings, including a 60-58 victory in the Yuengling Center on December 29, 2019. The Bulls are 10-0 at home against the Owls.



Scouting the Owls

FAU averages 83.3 points per game, which is tied for 18th in the NCAA and second in the conference. They have an effective field goal percentage of 55.3, which is tied for 24th in the nation and tops in the AAC. As a team, the Owls are tied for 36th in the nation and second in the conference averaging 9.0 made 3-pointers. Florida Atlantic is shooting 48.0 percent from the field, which is tied for 27th in the NCAA and second in the league. Vladislav Goldin is shooting 64.3 percent from the field, which is fifth in the country and best in the AAC. He is second on the team averaging 14.1 points per game and is tied for the team lead with 6.7 rebounds per game. He has a team-best 36 blocks. He has 20 assists and 12 steals. Johnell Davis leads the team with 18.5 points per game and is tied for a team-best 6.7 rebounds per game. His 18.5 points per game are tied for 62nd in the country and tied for third in the AAC. He is tied for 66th in the nation and second in the conference with a free-throw percentage of 86.2 percent. He is second on the team with 69 assists to go along with 42 steals and five blocks. Alijah Martin rounds out the double-digit scorers with 13.3 points per game. He averages 5.6 rebounds per game with a team-best 45 steals, 40 assists, and six blocks. Bryan Greenlee leads the team with 76 assists. He averages 6.8 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game.



Tale of the Tape



American Athletic Conference Standings (as of February 16)

1. South Florida – 18-5, 11-1

2. Florida Atlantic – 20-5, 10-2

3. Charlotte0 – 16-8, 10-2

4. SMU – 18-7, 9-3

5. UAB – 16-8, 8-3

6. Memphis – 18-7, 7-5

7. North Texas – 14-10. 7-5

8. ECU – 13-12, 6-6

9. Tulane – 13-11, 4-8

10. Rice – 9-15, 3-8

11. Tulsa – 12-12, 3-9

12. Wichita State – 10-15, 2-10

13. UTSA – 8-17, 2-10

14. Temple – 8-17, 1-11



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Jayden Reid, the No. 28 ranked point guard in the 2023 class, has verbally committed to South Florida.

STORY

Today's slate appears to feature mismatches - we will see.

#10 Memphis (15-3, 4-1) at Tulane (11-6, 2-3); 1pm (espn2)
Wichita State (8-9, 0-4) at South Florida (10-5, 3-1); 2pm (ESPN+)
#23 Florida Atlantic (14-4, 4-1) at UTSA (7-11, 1-4); 3pm (ESPN+)

Here are my updated ranking heading into today's games:

NCAAT Bound

1. Florida Atlantic (14-4, 4-1); NET: #28 - Owls should be able to get to 20 wins before finishing with 4 of their last 5 games against teams with a NET of 76 or better

2. Memphis (15-3, 4-1); NET: #49 - 11 of last 15 Tigers' games have been decided by 6 points or less; Memphis should be 20-4 or better before they have to play at North Texas, at SMU, then at home against Charlotte and #23 FAU in a tough four game stretch

On the Bubble

3. SMU (13-5, 4-1); NET: #32 - NET rankings keeps dropping for the Mustangs despite only Quad 1 win, but must travel to an under-the-radar nationally North Texas team on Thursday

NIT Bound

4. North Texas (11-6; 4-1); NET: #76 - We will learn alot about how good the Mean Green are this week at they host SMU on Thursday (espn2) and travel to #23 Florida Atlantic next Sunday (espn2); a sweep and North Texas could be playing themselves onto the bubble

Post Season Possible

5. Charlotte (11-7, 5-1); NET: #102 - Since their conference opening loss to SMU, the 49ers have won 5 straight including a win over #23 Florida Atlantic and held North Texas to 44 points on Saturday

6. South Florida (10-5, 3-1): NET: #130 - Winners of 8 of their last 9, including a road win over #10 Memphis, the Bulls now have 4 games in a row against teams with a combined record of 4-17 in conference play

7. UAB (12-6, 4-1); NET: #156 - Blazers are now heading into a brutal 5 game stretch where they have to play teams with a combined record of 21-5 in conference play, with 3 of those on the road

8. Tulane (11-6, 2-3); NET: #110 - The Green Wave maintain a strong NET, but have stumbled out the gate in conference play and now have two games against Memphis and two games against SMU among their next 7 games;

Second Division

9. Wichita State (8-9, 0-4); NET: #145 - losers of 8 of 9, their only win during this stretch is 1 point home win against Southern Illinois; Shockers have only played 3 homes games since November 29th

10. East Carolina (9-10, 2-4); NET: #200 - The Pirates feel like they have underachieved with 2 of the league's top 16 scorers and the league's 3rd best rebounder

11. Tulsa (10-8, 1-5); NET: #197 - Before Saturday's blowout loss to SMU, all 4 of the Tulsa's conference losses had been by a single digits

12. UTSA (7-11, 1-4); NET: #289 - Roadrunners land here due to their win at Rice

13. Rice (7-11, 1-4); NET: #239 - Owls land here due to their win at Temple

14. Temple (8-11, 1-5); NET: #238 - How bad is the Temple offense? Hysier Miller is 11th nationally in shots attempted per game but only shoots 34% from the field AND he has attempted more than double the shots of anyone else on the team


I'll update the All-Conference Teams with next Sunday's update as there just isn't much movement week-to-week.

IN THE RANKINGS

Florida Atlantic is ranked No. 24 in the AP Top 25 this week and receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll. South Florida is receiving votes in both polls, while Memphis is receiving votes in the AP poll.



COMPETITIVE CONFERENCE PLAY

The American has had 30 of the 83 conference games in the 2023-24 season either finish within three and/or gone to overtime. The percentage of close games, 36.1 percent, is the highest amongst major conferences (next closest is the Big 12 at 25.6 percent).



BULLS RIDING HIGH

South Florida has won 10 consecutive games and is 10-1 in league action, the best start in league play in program history. The 10-game win streak in conference play the longest in program history and is the second-longest overall win streak, trailing a 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season. The 10-game streak is also tied for third-longest in the country with Colgate (UConn and Saint Mary’s have 13-game win streaks).



HAGGERTY LEADING THE WAY

Tulsa redshirt freshman PJ Haggerty leads the nation in scoring for a freshman at 19.8 points per game. He has been named The American’s Freshman of the Week 10 times this season, breaking the previous single-season record of nine, set by UCF’s Taylor Hendricks in 2022-23.



BLAZERS AND RANKED WINS

UAB has picked up wins over two ranked opponents, Memphis on January 28 and Florida Atlantic on February 8. It is the first time the Blazers have beaten multiple ranked opponents in the same season since the 2009-10 campaign.





SCHEDULE/RESULTS



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10

South Florida 69, Rice 65

East Carolina 84, UTSA 73



SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11

No. 20 Florida Atlantic 95, Wichita State 82 (OT)

Memphis 90, Tulane 78

SMU 71, North Texas 68

Charlotte 73, Temple 70

UAB 70, Tulsa 63



WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

South Florida 69, Tulsa 50



THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Charlotte 79, UTSA 70

East Carolina 68, Wichita State 55

No. 24 Florida Atlantic 80, Temple 68

SMU 87, Tulane 79

North Texas 76, Memphis 66



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Rice at Tulsa (ESPN+).................................................. 3 p.m.



SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18

No. 24 Florida Atlantic at South Florida (ESPN). Noon

Wichita State at Charlotte (ESPN2)................... Noon

UTSA at Temple (ESPN+)........................................... 2 p.m.

Tulane at East Carolina (ESPN+).......................... 2 p.m.

North Texas at UAB (ESPN+)................................... 3 p.m.

Memphis at SMU (ESPN).......................................... 4 p.m.



WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Charlotte at Memphis (ESPN+)............................ 8 p.m.

Rice at UAB (ESPN+).................................................... 8 p.m.

South Florida at UTSA (ESPN+)............................. 8 p.m.

Tulsa at Wichita State (ESPNU).......................... 9 p.m.



THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22

SMU at Florida Atlantic (ESPN2)......................... 7 p.m.



All times ET and subject to change

Anyone have any they want to sell?

I'm out of town for the weekend so didn't buy any but can get back to Tampa in time for the game if I find some tix.

Looking for 4

Tampa native was a member of the Bulls program from 2020-23.



TAMPA, Feb. 15, 2024– Former University of South Florida softball player and Tampa native, Alexis Buchman, who inspired the Tampa Bay community during her more than two-year battle with brain cancer, passed away at her home on Thursday morning.



"It is devastating to lose a teammate, friend, and beloved member of our Bulls family,” USF Softball Head Coach Ken Eriksen said. “Alexis was a light in all the lives she touched and was truly courageous and inspiring in her fight. Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents, Steven and Kris, and family. We were blessed to have Alexis in our lives and to learn from her example of grace and determination. Her memory will long live within our program.”



“Today is a very sad day for USF Athletics and the Tampa Bay community as we have lost far too soon a member of our Bulls family whose courage and resilience inspired all of us,” USF Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly said. “Alexis Buchman’s light shined brightly even in the most trying of times. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends and all whose lives she touched.”



Buchman was diagnosed with brain cancer in the fall of 2021 after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor. Through her diagnosis and continuing treatments, Buchman remained an active and present member of the softball team, serving as a student manager through the 2023 season.



She joined the South Florida Softball program in 2020, appearing in seven games and scoring two runs in her first season while displaying quickness on the bases, stealing bases in two out of three attempts. In her second season of 2021, she appeared in four games and scored three runs.



Described as a true friend, a warrior, and someone who could make you laugh no matter what, support for Buchman and her battle poured in from all over South Florida Athletics and the Tampa Bay community she called home. Every year, the softball team and members of the athletics department participated in the annual Miles for Moffitt race. This past fall, Buchman was named the recipient of the “Spirit of Moffitt” Award. In 2023, she was honored at the Tampa Bay Sports Commission’s Sneaker Soiree as the Community Hero, recognizing her courage and determination in her fight against cancer and how it inspired and helped others.



Arrangements for funeral services will be announced at a later date.



Buchman will be honored with a moment of silence before the softball team's game Thursday night at the USF Softball Stadium. The team and staff will wear gray “Play4Buc” wristbands and commemorative “AB” patches on their batting practice shirts honoring Buchman. A celebration of Buchman’s life and courageous battle against cancer will be part of Friday’s softball contests at the stadium.



Those wishing to participate in the fight against cancer are encouraged to support the Moffit Cancer Center and its annual fundraising initiatives around Miles For Moffitt.

Here we go.

TAMPA, Fla. (February 14, 2024) – The University of South Florida men’s basketball team returned to the Yuengling Center on Wednesday for an American Athletic Conference showdown with Tulsa. Kobe Knox recorded a team-high 14 points as South Florida defeated Tulsa 69-50.



With the victory, South Florida improved to 18-5 overall and 11-1 in AAC play, while Tulsa fell to 12-12 overall and 3-9 in conference action.



The Bulls extended their winning streak to 10 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history. The 11 wins in conference play are the second most in program history behind the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12. The 10-game winning streak is the second-longest winning streak in program history, trailing only the 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season.



After the Golden Hurricane opened the game on a 6-5 run, the Bulls answered with a 9-0. USF took a 14-6 lead with 16:11 left in the opening stanza. During the run for South Florida, Brandon Stroud came up with a huge block.



The two sides each went for eight points as South Florida held a 22-14 lead midway through the first half. Selton Miguel knocked down two 3-pointers and Jose Placer drained his first 3-pointer of the game as the Bulls extended their lead to 31-17 with just over seven minutes left in the half.



Tulsa outscored South Florida 9-8 over the next 3:11 of play, but USF led 39-26. The Bulls closed out the half with a 5-2 run and took a 44-28 lead into the break.



USF opened the second half on an 8-5 run capped off by a 3-pointer by Chris Youngblood. South Florida extended its lead to 52-33 with just under 16 minutes left in regulation.



Tulsa went on an 8-3 run and cut the South Florida lead to 55-42 with 11:46 left to play. The Bulls outscored the Golden Hurricane 5-4 over the next 4 minutes of play. During the run, Kobe Knox produced another highlight dunk.



Tulsa answered with a 4-0 run and cut the USF lead to 60-50 with 5:38 left in regulation. The Bulls responded with a 4-0 of their own to go up 64-50 with just under four minutes left in regulation. South Florida held Tulsa scoreless over the final 5:43 and claimed a 69-50 victory.



Knox finished with a team-high 14 points to go along with two rebounds and one block. Pryor recorded his seventh double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. He dished out a game-high five assists. Miguel closed out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. He added three rebounds and three assists. Stroud finished tied for a game-high two blocks to go along with seven points, six rebounds, and one steal.



As a team, USF knocked down 13 3-pointers. It was the 10th time this season the Bulls made 10 or more 3-pointers. South Florida has made 10 or more 3-pointers in five of the last seven games. The USF bench outscored the TU bench 23-11.



PJ Haggerty recorded a game-high 19 points and was the only Tulsa player in double digits. He added a team-high six rebounds, a game-high four steals, three assists, and one block. Cobe Williams tied for a team-high six rebounds to go along with his seven points, team-high five assists, and two steals.



The Bulls held the Golden Hurricane to a season-low 50 points. Tulsa entered the game averaging 76.1 points per game. The stout USF defense held TU to its second-lowest field goal percentage of the season at 35.7 percent and its lowest 3-point percentage at 12.5 percent.



Notables

· The Bulls extended their winning streak to 10 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history.

· The 11 wins in conference play are the second most in program history behind the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12.

· The 10-game winning streak is the second-longest winning streak in program history, trailing only the 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season.

· Kobe Knox notched his ninth game in double figures with 14 points. He added two rebounds and one block.

· Kasean Pryor recorded his seventh double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. He dished out a game-high five assists.

· Selton Miguel posted his 19th game in double digits with 10 points. He added three rebounds and three assists.



Next Up

South Florida stays at home for a battle with No. 24 Florida Atlantic on Sunday, Feb. 18. Tip is scheduled for noon on ESPN in front of a sellout crowd.

Bry hasn't started one so I will.

TAMPA, Fla. (February 13, 2024) – The University of South Florida men's basketball team returns to action inside the Yuengling Center on Wednesday, Feb. 14, as Tulsa comes to Tampa. The Bulls (17-5, 10-1 AAC) and the Golden Hurricane (12-11, 3-8 AAC) are scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip on ESPNU.



The Bulls extended their winning streak to nine conference games, which is the longest in program history. South Florida started the season 17-5 for the first time in program history. The 10 wins in conference play are the second most in program history behind the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12. The nine-game winning streak is tied for the second-longest winning streak in program history, tying the 1982-83 season. The Bulls have won five road games in conference play for the first time since the 2011-12 squad in the Big East.



CY in the YC

Earlier this week, Chris Youngblood was named to the AAC Honor Roll for his performance last week. Last week, he led the Bulls with 18.5 points per game for the week as South Florida recorded a 2-0 week. He shot 50.0 percent (13-for-26) from the field, 53.8 percent (7-for-13) from 3-point range, and 80.0 percent (4-for-5) from the free-throw line. He notched a 13-point performance against Charlotte. He added four rebounds, two assists, and one block. Against Rice, he produced a game-high 24 points. He went 6-for-7, 85.7 percent, from 3-point range. He added four rebounds, one block, and one steal. For the season, he paces the team with 15.0 points per game. He is averaging 2.6 rebounds per game to go along with 45 assists, 13 steals, and 13 blocks. He is shooting 82.8 percent from the free-throw line, which is tied for 144th in the country and is fifth in the AAC. His 2.23 3-pointers per game are tied for 176th in the country and sixth in the conference.



‘Sel’ing Point

Selton Miguel is 223rd in the country with 2.09 3-pointers per game, which is tied for ninth in the conference. He leads the team with 14.5 points per contest. He is fourth on the squad with 3.3 boards per game. He is third on the squad with 24 steals and is second on the team with 51 assists. He has added seven blocks.



Pryor on Fire

Kasean Pryor leads the team with 7.2 rebounds per contest. His 5.76 defensive rebounds per game are 90th in the NCAA and sixth in the AAC. He is third on the squad averaging 12.0 points per game. He has a team-best 18 blocks. He leads the team with 27 steals. He has added 31 assists. He is shooting 82.1 percent from the free-throw line, which is 159th in the country and sixth in the conference.



Bulls at a Glance

Jayden Reid leads the team with 79 assists. He is tied for 202nd in the NCAA with 3.6 assists per game and is eighth in the AAC. He has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.32, which is tied for 87th in the country, fifth in the conference, and sixth among NCAA freshmen. He is second on the squad with 26 steals. He averages 2.5 rebounds per game to go along with 6.8 points per contest. Kobe Knox is second on the team with 16 blocks. He averages 8.5 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game. Brandon Stroud is second on the team with 5.9 rebounds per contest. He averages 5.5 points a game with 28 assists, 19 steals, and five blocks.



Strong Bench

South Florida’s bench is 42nd in the NCAA and third in the conference averaging 26.68 points per contest. The USF bench has outscored its opponent's bench 587-405. Opposing benches are averaging just 18.40 points per game.



Cashing in on Free Opportunities

The Bulls are tied for 69th in the NCAA and sixth in the conference with 15.5 made free throws per game. USF is tied for 76th in the country with 21.5 free-throw attempts per game, which is sixth in the AAC.



Fast and Furious

The Bulls have been playing stout defense and are tied for 52nd in the NCAA with a turnover margin of 2.4, which is third in the conference. South Florida is 110th in the country with 12.95 forced turnovers per contest, which is seventh in the AAC. USF has used the turnovers to lead to fastbreak opportunities. The Bulls are 95th in the nation with 11.77 fastbreak points per game, which is seventh in the conference.



Last Time Out

South Florida defeated Rice 69-65. The Bulls extended their winning streak to nine conference games, which is the longest in program history. South Florida started the season 17-5 for the first time in program history. The 10 wins in conference play are the second most in program history behind the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12. The nine-game winning streak is tied for the second-longest winning streak in program history, tying the 1982-83 season. The Bulls have won five road games in conference play for the first time since the 2011-12 squad in the Big East. Chris Youngblood finished a game-high 24 points to go along with four rebounds, one block, and one steal. Kasean Pryor recorded his sixth double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He added two steals, one block, and one assist. Selton Miguel added 12 points with three assists. Knox had a season-high six assists to go along with six points.





History with Tulsa

The Bulls and Golden Hurricane will meet for the 15th time on Wednesday. Tulsa leads the series 12-2, but South Florida has won the last two matchups. USF won the last meeting 72-56 in Tampa. The Bulls are 1-6 against the Hurricane in home games.



Scouting the Golden Hurricane

PJ Haggerty paces Tulsa with 19.8 points per game, which is tied for 32nd in the nation and second in the conference. He is sixth in the NCAA with 212 free throw attempts, which leads the AAC. He has made 171 free throws, which is tied for sixth in the country and best in the conference. His 43 steals are tied for 82nd in the nation and seventh in the league. He averages 4.9 rebounds per game with 81 assists. Cobe Williams leads the team with 49 steals, which is tied for 38th in the NCAA and third in the conference. He leads the squad with 84 assists. He is averaging 13.4 points a game and 3.0 rebounds per contest. He has five blocks on the season. Keaston Willis closes out the double-digit scorers with 12.5 points a game. He has two steals. Jared Garcia has a team-best 31 blocks to go along with 9.1 points per game and a team-best 6.0 rebounds per game. As a team, Tulsa is tied for 19th in the NCAA with 17.4 made free throws per game, which is third in the AAC. Their 23.4 free throw attempts per game are 25th in the nation and third in the conference.



Tale of the Tape



American Athletic Conference Standings (as of February 13)

1. South Florida – 17-5, 10-1

2. Florida Atlantic – 19-5, 9-2

3. Charlotte – 15-8, 9-2

4. SMU – 17-7, 8-3

5. UAB – 16-8, 8-3

6. Memphis – 18-6, 7-4

7. North Texas – 13-10. 6-5

8. ECU – 12-12, 5-6

9. Tulane – 13-10, 4-7

10. Tulsa – 12-11, 3-8

11. Rice – 9-15, 3-8

12. Wichita State – 10-14, 2-9

13. UTSA – 8-16, 2-9

14. Temple – 8-16, 1-10



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And then there were three. Former Kennesaw State junior Brandon Stroud commits to South Florida. Stroud is the 2023 2023 ASUN Defensive Player of the Year.

Will he be getting USF offer?

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USF release



TAMPA, Fla. (February 13, 2024) – The first-place USF men’s basketball team is making history — a 17-5 record for the first time ever, a nine-game winning streak, 10 conference victories already, and the growing possibility of March Madness.



One of the biggest reasons for this turnaround?



It’s a player who rarely captures the biggest headlines, but whose impact cannot be denied.



He’s Brandon Stroud, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound left-handed senior who’s the last guy any opponent wants to see in the lane. With the wingspan of a 7-footer, quick hands, cat-like instincts, and ferocious rebounding talent, Stroud has matured into the player who continually sparks the Bulls.



“Most fans see the value of a basketball player in their ability to score,’’ Bulls coach Amir Abdur-Rahim said. “But man, Brandon impacts our team in so many important ways. He’s just a dude, a real dude, out there on the court.’’



When the Bulls (17-5, 10-1 American Athletic Conference) host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (12-11, 3-8) in Wednesday night’s game at the Yuengling Center, USF fans will be prepared to witness Chris Youngblood’s long-range shooting, Selton Miguel’s elusive moves, Kobe Knox’s leadership, Kasean Pryor’s versatility, and Jayden Reid’s athleticism.



Stroud?



He holds it all together, doing the little things that often become big things. He followed Abdur-Rahim from Kennesaw State, where he was the Atlantic Sun Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. It’s easy to see why. In AAC play, he’s averaging 7.8 rebounds (including a team-leading 24 offensive boards), while chipping in with 21 assists, 11 steals … and countless game-altering deflections. Overall, he’s averaging 5.5 points with one double-digit scoring game.



“It’s funny because he did the same thing last year (at Kennesaw State),’’ Youngblood said. “He was playing all right. But in conference play, he goes to a different level. He’s a game-changer.’’



In a recent three-game swing against UTSA, East Carolina, and North Texas, Stroud had a 12-rebound effort each night. Against Albany on Dec. 22, he had a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double, which included six offensive boards.



“Brandon has been a beast lately,’’ Bulls forward Sam Hines said. “He impacts the game in so many ways. He’s a vocal leader. He hits important shots. He’s very, very long and those long limbs create problems for people. Most of it is just pure hustle. We need him to be locked in like that because his communication and energy are so important for our success.’’



Stroud came off the bench for eight straight games before Abdur-Rahim challenged him to produce maximum effort and commitment. That coincided with his re-emergence into the starting lineup at Memphis — and Stroud has been a vital component ever since.



Recently, Abdur-Rahim’s wife remarked to him, “What has gotten into Brandon? He’s playing like the guy I remember at Kennesaw State.’’



“Brandon doesn’t get enough credit for what he does,’’ said Abdur-Rahim, who believes that Stroud’s length and skill set will be noticed by professional basketball scouts. “But he doesn’t care. And that’s when you know you’ve got a special team brewing — when no one cares who gets the credit. Brandon just wants to win.’’



Stroud said he’s accustomed to winning — whether it was at East Coweta High School in Atlanta, Kennesaw State, or now at USF. For him, winning is the only thing.



“I love being competitive, working with the guys, having it all come together,’’ Stroud said. “I know my role. I focus on the defensive end, rebounding, whatever it takes. Those aren’t the areas that get the most attention, but those are the winning categories. So, I just do my part.’’



Stroud said he’s enjoying college life. He described himself as a “fantastic’’ bowler who once rolled a 230 game. Occasionally, he takes his teammates to the lanes for some friendly contests and socializing.



Around campus, Stroud has become a familiar face, and he rarely meets a stranger. He also serves as the diversity chair for USF’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council.



“When I first got here, I was thinking about staying low-key,’’ Stroud said. “But the coaches always push everyone to be the best you can be, so I put myself out there. It has been a great experience.



“For me, college isn’t just about taking classes and playing basketball. It’s about learning about other people, what they bring to the table, their strengths, and good qualities that you might not know. It has been a great experience. Everybody has something good to offer.’’



USF basketball fans have learned that about Brandon Stroud. He’s rarely the team’s leading scorer. Many nights, he’s not even close. But he brings so many subtle qualities that make him indispensable.



“He’s a difference-maker,’’ Abdur-Rahim said.



Stroud’s diverse qualities have made all the difference in USF’s historic season.

Former USF wide receiver becomes first Bull to score in Super Bowl, Reiter earns USF record third Super Bowl title in Chiefs victory over 49ers



TAMPA, FEB. 12, 2024 – BayMade Bulls Marquez Valdes-Scantling (St. Petersburg) and Austin Reiter (Bradenton) celebrated back-to-back Super Bowl titles with the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night in Las Vegas as the Chiefs downed the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, 25-22.



Valdez-Scantling (2016-17), a wide receiver who owned USF’s single season receiving yards record (879) until Sean Atkins broke it this season, caught a big 16-yard touchdown pass that gave the Chiefs their first lead in the third quarter. He became the first Bull to score in the Super Bowl before finishing with three catches for 20 yards and a touchdown. Valdes-Scantling started 13 games on the year (playing in 20) and made 29 catches for 443 yards and two touchdowns.



Reiter (2011-14), a former Chiefs starter and current reserve center, made his USF program-record fourth appearance on a Super Bowl team with the Chiefs (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023) and won his USF record third Super Bowl Championship (2019, 2022, 2023).



Valdes-Scantling, who also won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs last season, joined Reiter and Jason Pierre-Paul (2012 N.Y. Giants, 2020 Tampa Bay) as the third Bull to win multiple Super Bowls. The victory by Reiter and Valdes-Scantling brings USF’s number of Super Bowl titles won to 15 by 11 different players.



For the 11th time in the last 13 Super Bowls, a USF player was a member of a team playing in the NFL’s Big Game. The Bulls have had a total of 15 players on Super Bowl teams, making 22 total appearances. Impressive numbers, considering USF just completed its 27th season playing football.



BULLS IN THE SUPER BOWL
SEASON PLAYED PLAYER POS TEAM SCORE
2023 LVIII Austin Reiter* OL Kansas City Chiefs W, 25-22

2023 LVIII Marquez Valdes-Scantling WR Kansas City Chiefs W, 25-22

2022 LVII Austin Reiter OL Kansas City Chiefs W, 38-35

2022 LVII Marquez Valdes-Scantling WR Kansas City Chiefs W, 38-35

2021 LVI Mitchell Wilcox TE Cincinnati Bengals L, 23-20

2020 LV Jason Pierre-Paul DE Tampa Bay Buccaneers W, 31-9

2020 LV Austin Reiter OL Kansas City Chiefs L, 31-9

2019 LIV Austin Reiter OL Kansas City Chiefs W, 31-20

2019 LIV Kofi Amichia* OL San Francisco 49ers L, 31-20

2017 LII Eric Lee DE New England Patriots L,41-33

2016 XLX Kayvon Webster DB Denver Broncos W, 24-10

2015 XLIX B.J. Daniels* QB Seattle Seahawks L, 28-24

2014 XLVIII Kayvon Webster DB Denver Broncos L, 43-8

2014 XLVIII B.J. Daniels* QB Seattle Seahawks W, 43-8

2012 XLVI Jason Pierre-Paul DE New York Giants W, 21-17

2012 XLVI Jacquian Williams LB New York Giants W, 21-17

2011 XLV Sampson Genus* C Green Bay Packers W, 31-25

2008 XLII Kawika Mitchell LB New York Giants W, 17-14

2005 XXXIX J.R. Reed DB Philadelphia Eagles L, 24-21

2003 XXXVII Ryan Benjamin LS Tampa Bay Buccaneers W, 48-21

2002 XXXVI Kenyatta Jones OL New England Patriots W, 20-17

2002 XXXVI Scott McCready* WR New England Patriots W, 20-17

* practice squad



TOTALS: 15 players, 22 total appearances, 11 Super Bowl Champions, 3 two-time Champions

Small 2025 PG at Tampa Catholic was high on USF and offered by the old staff. Has the new staff looked at him or are we good since we already have an undersized PG?

Kid is going to be good somewhere.