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.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Memphis up 66-62 after leading 63-45

Great game tonight! UAB knocks off FAU! USF all by themselves in first!!!

Login to view embedded media
Campbell was left without a spot after Mel Tucker got fired at MSU and he reopened later

Login to view embedded media
Good sign that all is in order for Platt to sign

I have USF at 75 spots with the mid-year early enrollees and they have 14 signed freshmen that will be added in June. There are a couple of flex guys like Yasias Young who may not stay on scholarship depending on numbers.

SENIORS 27 players
Offense:
WR- Sean Atkins
OL- Derek Bowman
WR- Michael Brown-Stephens
TE- Gunnar Greenwald
OL- Zane Herring
RB- Kelley Joiner
OL- Mike Lofton
OL- RJ Perry
WR- Abdur Rahmaan-Yaseen
WR- Naiem Simmons
WR- Yusuf Terry
OL- Junior Uzebu
RB- Nay'Quan Wright

Defense:
S- D'Marco Augustin
S- Logan Berryhill
DB- Aamaris Brown
DL- Rashad Cheney
LB- DJ Gordon IV
LB- Mac Harris
DE- Immanuel Hickman
CB- Ben Knox
DE- Tramel Logan
LB- Jamie Pettway
LB- Jhalyn Shuler
DB- Christopher Townsel
DE- Jason Vaughn

Specialist:
P- Andrew Stokes

JUNIORS 15 players
Offense:
WR- Jaden Alexis
OL- Cole Best
OL- Deonte Bowie
OL- Andrew Kilfoyl
RB- K'Wan Powell
TE- Weston Wolff
RB- Yasias Young

Defense:
CB- Brent Austin
DB- Kajuan Banks
DL- Doug Blue-Eli
CB- Kendall Dennis
DE- D.J. Harris
CB- DeShawn Rucker
DB- Jaelen Stokes
DL- Keeon Terrell


SOPHOMORES 9 players
Offense:
QB- Bryce Archie
QB- Byrum Brown
WR- Tyree Kelly
WR- Cade Roberts
OL- Cole Skinner

Defense:
CB- Jarvis Lee
DB- Tavin Ward
DL- Jacquez Williams
DE- Michael Williams II

FRESHMEN 24 players plus 14 more coming in

Offense:
QB- Israel Carter
TE- Jonathan Echols*
TE- Gerard Edimo
RB- Alvon Isaac*
OL- James Jenkins
RB- Jaylen Johnson
OL- TJ Lawrence (delayed enrollment)
OL- Nikola Milovac
OL- Drew Perez
WR- Joshua Porter*
WR- Keshaun Singleton
WR- JeyQuan Smith
QB- Marcelis Tate*
WR- Brandon Winton*

Defense:
S- Tawfiq Byard
DL- Chenellson Exume*
DL- Dinellson Exume*
LB- Zavier Hamilton*
LB- Rodney Hill*
OLB/DE- Asthon Mosley*
DT- Stantavious Smith

Specialists:
K- NIco Gramatica*
LS- Trey Dubuc
K- Ty Ippolito

*mid-year early enrollee

The Bulls open as a 2.5 point favorite with an over/under set at 134.5. If Charlotte wins they will have the inside track at the regular season conference championship (with tiebreakers against FAU and USF, and very favorable remaining schedule), and if USF wins it sets up a showdown in a week-and-a-half against the Owls in a game that could decide the regular season champion.

• Charlotte is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 games, but only 1-3 ATS as a road dog this season
• USF is 11-1-2 ATS in their last 14 games, and 7-3-1 as a home favorite this season

Hello - I need 1 ticket preferably in 100 section for FAU. Willing to pay a reasonable price. Ticket not for me but a related die hard bulls fan. I’ll be there!