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



Follow Live

Watch: ESPNU

Live Stats: gousfbulls.com

Listen: Bulls Unlimited

International Stream: gousfbulls.com

Tickets: gousfbulls.com

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.

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Chris Youngblood, Sr., G, South Florida

Youngblood averaged 18.5 points and 4.0 rebounds as the Bulls stayed in first place in The American’s standings with wins over Charlotte and Rice.

I really don’t care about either team but will be rooting for the Pro Bulls

Go KC

Alexis Yetna who, thanks to medical redshirt seasons and the covid season, still has eligibility remaining just lost his head coach (Jay Young) to a sudden resignation.

Rumors include: Costa Rica, a prostitute, an assistant coach, a cover-up and blackmail.

Fairfield players may enter the transfer portal over the next 30-days.

TAMPA, Fla. (February 9, 2024) – The University of South Florida men's basketball team is back in action for an American Athletic Conference matchup at Rice on Saturday, Feb. 10. The Bulls (16-5, 9-1 AAC) and the Owls (9-14, 3-7 AAC) are slated for a 3 p.m. ET jump on ESPN+.



South Florida knocked off Charlotte 72-69. The Bulls extended their winning streak to eight conference games, which is the longest in program history. South Florida started the season 16-5 for just the second time in program history. The only other time was during the 1975-76 campaign. The eight-game winning streak is the third-longest winning streak in program history. It is the first time since the 1982-83 season when the team won nine straight.



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 team averaging 18.0 points per game for the week. He recorded a game-high 20 points in USF’s road win at ECU. He added a game-high six assists to go along with one rebound. He added a game-high 16 points in the South Florida victory at North Texas. For the week, he finished with 36 points, two rebounds, and six assists. He shot 1.000 percent from the free-throw line, he shot 57.1 percent from 3-point range, and 54.5 percent from the field. For the season, he is second on the team with 14.5 points per game. He is averaging 2.5 rebounds per game to go along with 45 assists, 12 steals, and 12 blocks. He is shooting 82.4 percent from the free-throw line, which is tied for 157th in the country and is sixth in the AAC.



‘Sel’ing Point

Selton Miguel is 185th in the country with 2.19 3-pointers per game, which is sixth in the conference. He leads the team with 14.6 points per contest. He is fourth on the squad with 3.5 boards per game. He is third on the squad with 24 steals and is second on the team with 48 assists. He has added seven blocks.



Pryor on Fire

Kasean Pryor leads the team with 7.1 rebounds per contest. His 5.70 defensive rebounds per game are tied for 97th 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 17 blocks. He is second on the team with 25 steals. He has added 30 assists. He is shooting 81.7 percent from the free-throw line, which is 173rd in the country and 10th in the conference.



Bulls at a Glance

Jayden Reid leads the team with 76 assists. He is tied for 198th in the NCAA with 3.6 assists per game and is tied for seventh in the AAC. He has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.38, which is tied for 84th in the country, fifth in the conference, and ninth among NCAA freshmen. He leads the team with 26 steals. He averages 2.6 rebounds per game to go along with 6.7 points per contest. Kobe Knox is second on the team with 15 blocks. He averages 8.7 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game. Brandon Stroud is second on the team with 5.8 rebounds per contest. He averages 5.4 points a game with 27 assists, 19 steals, and five blocks.



Strong Bench

South Florida’s bench is 39th in the NCAA and second in the conference averaging 27.38 points per contest. The USF bench has outscored its opponent's bench 575-383. Opposing benches are averaging just 18.24 points per game.



Cashing in on Free Opportunities

The Bulls are tied for 50th in the NCAA and fifth in the conference with 16.0 made free throws per game. USF is tied for 73rd in the country with 21.9 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 49th in the NCAA with a turnover margin of 2.5, which is tied for second in the conference. South Florida is tied for 92nd in the country with 13.14 forced turnovers per contest, which is tied for fifth in the AAC. USF has used the turnovers to lead to fastbreak opportunities. The Bulls are 80th in the nation with 12.10 fastbreak points per game, which is seventh in the conference.



Last Time Out

South Florida knocked off Charlotte 72-69. The Bulls extended their winning streak to eight conference games, which is the longest in program history. South Florida started the season 16-5 for just the second time in program history. The only other time was during the 1975-76 campaign. The eight-game winning streak is the third-longest winning streak in program history. It is the first time since the 1982-83 season when the team won nine straight. Selton Miguel led all scorers with 22 points. He surpassed the 1,000 career-point mark. He tied for a game-high with five assists. He added two rebounds and one steal. Chris Youngblood added a 13-point performance with four rebounds, two assists, and one block. Kobe Knox closed out the double-digit scorers with 13 points. He collected three rebounds, one assist, and one block. Brandon Stroud led the team in rebounding for the second-straight game with seven. He chipped in with seven points and two assists. Corey Walker Jr. came up huge on the offensive glass with a game-high four offensive rebounds. He added four clutch points on 2-of-3 shooting.



History with Rice

The Bulls and the Owls will meet for the third time in program history. South Florida won the first matchup, 49-46, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 30, 1997. The Bulls knocked off the Owls 81-73 in the previous matchup this season in Tampa on January 12.



Scouting the Owls

Max Fiedler leads Rice with 9.6 rebounds per game, which is tied for 23rd in the country and best in the conference. His 221 rebounds are tied for 18th in the NCAA and most in the AAC. He averages 4.09 offensive rebounds per game, which is tied for fifth in the nation and tops in the conference. He is tied for 32nd in the nation and second in the conference with 124 assists. His 5.4 assists per game are tied for 34th in the NCAA and second in the AAC. He averages 9.0 points per game with a team-high 18 blocks and 18 steals. Travis Evee paces the team with 15.7 points per game to go along with 3.3 rebounds per game, 49 assists, a team-high 28 steals, and five blocks. Mekhi Mason is the only other player averaging double digits with 14.4 points a game. He averages 3.9 rebounds per game and has 64 assists, 23 steals, and 11 blocks.



Tale of the Tape



American Athletic Conference Standings (as of February 8)

1. South Florida – 16-5, 9-1

2. Florida Atlantic – 18-5, 8-2

3. Charlotte – 14-8, 8-2

4. SMU – 16-7, 7-3

5. UAB – 15-8, 7-3

6. Memphis – 17-6, 6-4

7. North Texas – 13-9. 6-4

8. Tulane – 13-9, 4-6

9. ECU – 11-12, 4-6

10. Tulsa – 12-10, 3-7

11. Rice – 9-14, 3-7

12. Wichita State – 10-13, 2-8

13. UTSA – 8-15, 2-8

14. Temple – 8-15, 1-9



Follow Live

Watch: ESPN+

Live Stats: riceowls.com

Listen: Bulls Unlimited

The game is on ESPN+ while two of the worst teams in the American are playing an hour later on ESPNU. Nice work AAC - I guess it was too much to pick up the phone and call your liaison at ESPN two weeks ago and say "hey can we switch these two"?

It is beginning to feel like last year, and the year before, and the year before. I am an alumni living in North Carolina. So far all the games have been on TV. I imagine that won’t continue if they soon don’t turn this around. Lately they have been making average teams look like top 10.

Light schedule in the AAC today:

Temple (8-13, 1-7) at Tulane (12-9, 3-6); 4PM ESPNU
UAB (14-7, 6-2) at SMU (14-7, 5-3); 6pm espn2

As AAC teams begin beating up on each other I think only 1 team gets into the NCAA tournament, baring an FAU upset in the conference tournament. Here are my updated rankings heading into today's game:

NCAA Tournament Bound

1. Florida Atlantic (18-4, 8-1); NET: #25 - Owls are 3-1 in Quad 1 games this season which include wins against Arizona (NET: #3), Butler (#48) and Butler (#49); FAU plays 4 of their next 6 on the road which include traveling to UAB, South Florida and Memphis

On the Bubble

2. SMU (14-7, 5-3); NET: #46 - Mustangs are barely on the bubble and are 1-6 in Quad 1 & 2 games with their best win at Florida State (#94); SMU's last 6 losses are by a combined 22 points, including an 8-point loss to Wisconsin (#13) and a 2-point loss to Dayton (#17); Owls only have on more chance at a Quad 1 game but have possibly 4 Quad 2 games left to strengthen their resume

NIT Bound

3. South Florida (15-5, 8-1); NET: #106 - Bulls and Princeton are the only D1 teams, with a NET of 106 or better, not to have a Quad 1 game this season and South Florida may only have the chance at one when FAU (#25) visits in two weeks; It's hard to ignore a team that has won 13 of their last 14 but their best win this season is against a fading Memphis (#80) team

4. Charlotte (14-7, 8-1); NET: #95 - 49ers are 1-3 in Quad 1 games with their best win coming at home against FAU (#25); Charlotte has a very favorable schedule down the stretch with 6 of their remaining 9 games against teams with a losing conference record; the 49ers own the tie-breaker against the Owls and a win Tuesday night at USF would give them the inside track to the regular season title

5. Memphis (16-6, 5-4); NET: #80 - the Tigers' last second win against last-place Wichita State to end a 4 game losing streak likely did little to quell the concerns; Memphis is 1-1 in Quad 1 games with their best win being at Texas A&M (#49), however they have up to 3 remaining Quad 1 games that could help get them back onto the bubble - two games against FAU (#25) and a road game at SMU (#46); The Tigers have played 9 non-conference games against P5+Big East schools.

Post Season Possible

6. North Texas (12-6, 5-1); NET: #71 - the Mean Green have lost 4 of 5 and after starting the conference season 4-0; North Texas is 0-4 against Quad 1 teams and have up to 2 more Quad 1 games remaining - at home against FAU (#25) and at SMU (#46); The Mean Green's best win this season was a 2-point win at home against SMU.

7. UAB (12-7, 4-2); NET: #131 - the Blazers currently sit alone in 4th place in the AAC standings; UAB is 0-2 in Quad 1 games but could add 2 more in their next 2 games was they travel to SMU (#46) today and host FAU (#25) - a split in those games could give the Blazers a chance to shoot up the standings as they should be the favorite in their following 5 games; UAB's best win this season was a neutral court win against Maryland (#78)

8. Tulane (12-8, 3-6); NET: #115 - the Green Wave have lost 4 of 5 and are 0-6 in Quad 1 & 2 games; the schedule makers did Tulane no favors as they have home-and-home series against the four schools in the AAC with the best current NET - FAU (#25), SMU (#46), North Texas (#71) and Memphis (#80)

Second Division

9. Tulsa (12-9, 3-6); NET: #180 - after starting conference play 0-4 the Golden Hurricane have won 3 of their last 4

10. East Carolina (11-12, 4-6); NET: #197 - the Pirates are 0-6 against teams with a winning conference record, but are 4-0 against teams with a losing conference record; the good news for ECU is they now play 4 in a row against teams with a losing conference record

11. Rice (9-13, 3-6); NET: # 211 - with road wins against Memphis and UTSA the Owls have won 3 conference road games in arow; Rice is now winning the close games they were losing earlier this year when they lost 3 other conference games by single digits

12. Wichita State (9-13, 1-8); NET: #153 - 5 of the Shockers' 8 conference losses have been by single digits

13. UTSA (8-14, 2-7): NET: #279 - like Wichita State, 5 of the Road Runners' 8 conference losses have been by single digits

14. Temple (8-13, 1-7); NET: #252 - the Owls, one of the worst shooting teams in D1 have two remaining games against UTSA, one of the worst defensive teams in D1, in a battle of the moveable object vs. the stoppable force


I'll update the All-Conference Team in next week's update (2/11).

USF release


HOUSTON (February 10, 2024) – The University of South Florida men’s basketball team was back in action for an American Athletic Conference matchup with Rice on Saturday. Chris Youngblood recorded a game-high 24 as the Bulls defeated the Owls 69-65.



With the victory, South Florida improved to 17-5 overall and 10-1 in AAC play, while Rice fell to 9-15 overall and 3-8 in conference action.



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.



The Owls started the game fast with a 7-2 run as the game went to the first media timeout. The two squads battled for the next 3:41 as each side tallied six points. Rice added a 9-4 run and extended its lead to 22-12 with 7:29 left in the opening stanza.



Rice outscored USF 9-7 over the next 3:33 of play and extended its lead to 31-19 with just under four minutes left in the half. Miguel closed out the half scoring all six of the USF points down the stretch. The Owls took a 38-25 lead into the break.



The Bulls came out firing on all cylinders and went on a 19-5 run. USF took a 44-43 lead with 15:37 left in the second half. During the run, Youngblood accounted for eight of those points. The Bulls added a 6-4 run and extended their lead to 50-47 with 13:05 left to play.



Rice outscored South Florida 5-3 during the next three minutes of play. Youngblood knocked down a 3-pointer as the Bulls led 53-52. The Bulls outscored the Owls 7-5 over the next four minutes of play. Kasean Pryor picked up a huge offensive rebound and tapped it out to Kobe Knox. Knox kicked it to Youngblood for his fifth 3-pointer of the game. USF led 60-57 with 6:16 left on the clock.



South Florida outscored Rice 9-8 down the stretch and claimed a 69-65 victory.



Youngblood finished a game-high 24 points to go along with four rebounds, one block, and one steal. Pryor recorded his sixth double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He added two steals, one block, and one assist. Miguel added 12 points with three assists. Knox had a season-high six assists to go along with six points.



Travis Evee led the Owls with 20 points. He added four rebounds and one steal. Max Fiedler and Keanu Dawes each finished with 13 points. Fiedler posted a double-double with 13 rebounds.



Notables

· 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.

· Selton Miguel added 12 points with three assists. Knox had a season-high six assists to go along with six points.

· Kasean Pryor recorded his sixth double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He added two steals, one block, and one assist.



Next Up

The Bulls return to the friendly confines of the Yuengling Center on Wednesday, Feb. 14. South Florida faces Tulsa at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

UCLA has to be one of the toughest “big jobs” in the P2. This move has disaster written all over it…albeit with a nice fat paycheck.


“Now the job will require not succeeding in the Pac-12 where UCLA, even in a cash-strapped program with a home field far from campus, had plenty of built-in advantages. Starting next fall it heads to an 18-team Big Ten juggernaut.

Maybe the competition was too much for Kelly. UCLA jumped to the Big Ten not because it serves its student athletes or goals of fielding winning programs. It did it for the money.

Over the last five years, the UCLA athletic department has posted deficits of $36.6 million (2023), $28.0 million (2022), $62.5 million (2021), $21.7 million (2020) and $18.9 million (2019). Desperate for a lifeline, it jumped to the financial higher ground of the Midwest, where the Big Ten promised massive $60-$70 million annual payouts.”

Read more:

Great article by Bill Connelly if ESPN just put out returning % numbers for every team next year. A few that stood out

17.) USF 72% total returning. 87% offense / 58% defense
12.) Rice 73% total returning. 62% offense/ 84% defnese
26.) Memphis 69% returning. 74% offense/65% defense
98.) Tulane 50% returning. 47% offense/ 53% defense
117.) FAU 42% returning. 34% offense/51% defnese
115). Alabama 44% returning. 56% offense/33% defense 👀
..
101.) UCF 49% returning. 38% offense/ 60% defense.

Perhaps others can post the full list. SP+ projections come out next week based off the data. What stands out to you?

USF is top 4 in the nation in returning offensive production! Meanwhile FAU & C have taken a huge hit on offense. I would expect regression from both those schools next season.

Spencer nailed his first extra point for ND. They announced ‘transfer from South Florida’…with every ND game nationally televised hopefully Spencer has a good year and people hear South Florida a lot during those games….good way to subliminally keep USF in people’s minds.

As a #13 seed. In other words USF cannot fall flat on the road at Rice this Saturday which has letdown/trap game written all over it. The Bulls are getting some national respect family, just have to keep winning the rest of the season.

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Memphis up 66-62 after leading 63-45