USF Release

Bulls coming off back-to-back home sellouts, riding program record 13-game win streak



TAMPA, Fla. (February 26, 2024) – For the first time in program history, the University of South Florida men’s basketball team is ranked in the AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll.



South Florida checked in at No. 25 in both polls after extending a program-record win streak to 13 games with a 79-68 victory over SMU (19-5) before the Bulls second-straight sellout crowd at Yuengling Center on Sunday.



More than 10,000 fans watched South Florida improve to 21-5 overall and 14-1 in the American Athletic Conference. USF has a three-game lead in the conference standings with three games left to play. The 13-game winning streak is the second-longest active streak in the NCAA this season and the Bulls’ 14 wins in conference play are the most in program history, surpassing the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12.



The Bulls have drawn nearly 21,000 fans to Yuengling Center in their last two home games (10,251 on Sunday), including nearly 7,000 students, as they posted a pair of sellouts in the same season for just the second time in program history.



In 1991, USF got 58 votes in the AP poll two spots out of 25th after beating Iowa. Two nights later, on New Year’s Eve, the Bulls lost at Cincinnati, an eventual Final 4 team. That’s as close as USF has come previously to being ranked.



Notables From the Bulls’ Record-Setting Season

· USF has a three-game lead with three games left to play in the American Athletic Conference as it seeks an outright conference championship, the program’s first regular-season conference title in program history. The Bulls won the Sun Belt Conference tournament in 1990.

· USF has won 20 games in the regular season for the first time in program history and just the sixth time overall. With 21 wins, USF is within three of the program season record of 24.

· The Bulls’ 13-game winning streak is the longest winning streak in program history, surpassing a 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season. USF has won 19 of its last 20 overall.

· The 13-game winning streak is the second-longest active streak in the NCAA behind Saint Mary’s with 15 straight.

· The 14 wins in conference play are the most in USF program history.

· The 10,659 fans that watched USF beat No. 24 FAU on Feb. 18 marked a new program record for attendance, breaking a mark set in 2001.

· The Bulls’ victory over No. 24 FAU marked their second Top 25 win of the season (W, 74-73, at No. 10 Memphis), the first time doing so since 2011-12.



Up Next

South Florida makes a trip back to North Carolina on Saturday, March 2, for a contest against Charlotte, which currently stands tied for second in the conference at 11-4. USF won the first match-up in Tampa, 72-69, on Feb. 6. The Bulls and 49ers are slated for a 4 p.m. tip on ESPN+.



To stay up-to-date on the latest USF men's basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).

ChiroBulls “FAIR” Top 25 Rankings…
I figure if someone else can make one why can't I.

• 1. UCONN
• 2. Houston
• 3. Purdue
• 4. Iowa State
• 5. Duke
• 6. North Carolina
• 7. Kansas
• 8. Tennessee
• 9. Marquette
• 10. Arizona
• 11. Baylor
• 12. Auburn
• 13. Alabama
• 14. Illinois
• 15. Kentucky
• 16. St. Mary’s
• 17. Creighton
• 18. Gonzaga
• 19. USF
• 20. San Diego St.
• 22. Washington St.
• 23. Utah St.
• 23. Memphis
• 24. South Carolina
• 25. FAU

South Florida came in essentially ranked #29 last week in the Coaches Poll. Here is how the Top 25 has faired this week:

19. San Diego State (21-7) - lost to Utah State; defeated Fresno State
20. South Carolina (22-5) - lost to LSU; defeated Ole Miss
21. BYU (19-8) - defeated #11 Baylor; lost to Kansas State
22. Washington State (21-7) - defeated #4 Arizona; lost to Arizona State
23. Texas Tech - defeated TCU; lost to UCF
24. Colorado State (20-8) - lost to New Mexico; lost to UNLV
25. TCU (19-8) - lost to #23 Texas Tech; defeated Cincinnati
26. Gonzaga - defeated Portland; defeated Santa Clara
27. Virginia (20-8) - lost to Virginia Tech; lost to #10 North Carolina
28. Florida (19-8) - lost to #13 Alabama; defeated Vanderbilt
29. South Florida (21-5) - defeated UTSA; defeated SMU

USF should leapfrog Colorado State and Virginia who both went 0-2 this week. Gonzaga will move into the Top 25 with a pair of wins, so it will likely come down to if USF can leap frog #25 TCU and Florida who both went 1-1 last week, but their losses coming against Top 25 teams. I think USF cracks the Top 25 for the first time in program history on Monday and comes in at #25, although I think they could come in as high as #21.

Bull's win again! This time where it counts!

USF Release




TAMPA, Fla. (February 25, 2024) – The University of South Florida men’s basketball team returned to the friendly confines of the Yuengling Center on Sunday against SMU. The Bulls honor the legacy of Arthur Jones as part of our Equality and Inclusion game. Kasean Pryor recorded a game-high 19 points as USF defeated SMU 79-68.



With the win, USF improved to 21-5 overall and 14-1 in AAC play, while SMU fell to 19-9 overall and 10-5 in conference games. The 13-game winning streak is the second-longest active streak in the NCAA.



The Bulls extended their winning streak to 13 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history. The 14 wins in conference play are the most in program history, surpassing the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12. The 13-game winning streak is the longest winning streak in program history, surpassing a 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season. The back-to-back sellouts mark a first in program history. It is just the second time in program history that there were two sellouts in the same season.



The Bulls opened the game 3-of-5 from 3-point range and started the contest with an 11-5 run. Kobe Knox, Kasean Pryor, and Jose Placer each knocked down a 3-pointer. Placer’s 3-pointer came from the USF logo.



Both teams went on a dry spell over the next four minutes of play, but the Bulls held an 11-7 lead with 11:50 left in the opening stanza. The defense continued to pick up as both teams combined for nine points, but South Florida continued to lead 15-13.



The offense picked up as both teams notched 10 points each. The Bulls held a 25-23 edge with 2:44 left until the break. USF outscored SMU 9-3 to close out the half. South Florida capitalized on chances at the free-throw line and took a 34-26 lead into the break. The Bulls were a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line in the first half.



Youngblood scored seven of the nine USF points to start the second half. The Bulls extended their lead to 43-33 at the first media timeout of the second half. The two sides tallied 10 points each as USF kept a 10-point lead 53-43. Sam Hines Jr. sent the game to a media timeout with a huge block.



The Mustangs outscored the Bulls 8-5 over the next three minutes of play. During the stretch, Pryor scored all five points as South Florida held a 58-51 lead with 8:22 left on the clock. Knox knocked down another 3-pointer as USF extended its lead to 61-53 with just over six minutes left in regulation.



South Florida picked up the intensity on the defensive end and held SMU without a basket for 3:20 of play. The Bulls extended its lead to 68-53 with a 7-2 run. The Mustangs closed out the game by outscoring the Bulls 13-11, but an emphatic slam by Miguel sealed a 79-68 victory.



Pryor recorded his 13th game in double figures with a game-high 19 points, while shooting a perfect 1.000 percent from the field, 6-for-6. He finished one rebound shy of a double-double, with nine boards. He added an assist and a steal. Miguel finished with 18 points, his 22nd game in double digits. He chipped in with two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. Youngblood closed out the double-digit scorers with 12 points, his 21st game with double figures. He added a game-high five assists and three rebounds.



The USF bench was strong once again and outscored the SMU bench 51-28. The Bulls held an 11-1 advantage on fastbreak points. The USF defense held SMU to 33.8 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from 3-point range, both well below the season averages for the Mustangs.



Ricardo Wright led the Mustangs with 16 points. He added two rebounds and one assist. Samuell Williamson finished with 12 points seven rebounds, and a game-high four steals. Tyreek Smith and Zhuric Phelps both finished with 11 points. Smith had five rebounds and two steals. Phelps tied for a game-high nine rebounds to go along with two assists and a steal.



Notables

· The Bulls extended their winning streak to 13 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history.

· The 14 wins in conference play are the most in program history, surpassing the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12.

· The 13-game winning streak is the longest winning streak in program history, surpassing a 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season.

· The 13-game winning streak is the second-longest active streak in the NCAA.

· The back-to-back sellouts mark a first in program history. It is just the second time in program history that there were two sellouts in the same season.

· Kasean Pryor recorded his 13th game in double figures with a game-high 19 points, while shooting a perfect 1.000 percent from the field, 6-for-6. He finished one rebound shy of a double-double, with nine boards. He added an assist and a steal.

· Selton Miguel finished with 18 points, his 22nd game in double digits. He chipped in with two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.

· Chris Youngblood closed out the double-digit scorers with 12 points, his 21st game with double figures. He added a game-high five assists and three rebounds.



Next Up

South Florida makes a trip back to North Carolina on Saturday, March 2, for a contest against Charlotte. The Bulls and 49ers are slated for a 4 p.m. tip on ESPN+.

Our magic number is 1 for MBB to with their 1st Regular Season Conference Championship. All we need is one of the following:

1. One more USF win, OR
2. One loss by FAU and Charlotte and UAB

Late getting this out today with a noon tip off, but here we go. Six games on tap today:

#24 Florida Atlantic 86 South Florida 90
Tulane 67 East Carolina 81
Wichita State 61 Charlotte 72
UTSA 77 Temple 83
North Texas 62 UAB 71
Memphis 79 SMU 106

Florida Atlantic has definitely been exposed away from home and are only 4-3 in conference road games with 2 of those wins coming in OT, and another by a single point. Its certainly possible that another team could win the conference tournament giving the American 2 teams in the NCAAT.

Below are the updated rankings and records based on games through today, but with NET Rankings through yesterday.

Tournament Bound

1. South Florida (19-5, 12-1); NET: #99 - At some point NET rankings be damned and you have to just look at the scoreboard; the Bulls have won 17 of 18, are receiving votes in both polls and is the hottest team in the country since early December; South Florida is now building its tournament resume.

2. Florida Atlantic (20-6, 9-3); NET: #27 – Owls have found winning on the road a challenge in the American, and now find itself essentially 3 games out of 1st place; with games remaining against SMU, Memphis (x2) and a tricky road game against North Texas; FAU now has to worry about a late season slide that could hurt their seeding.

On the Bubble

3. SMU (19-7, 10-3); NET: #41 - SMU has won 6 straight and are only 2 games out of 1st place. The Mustangs currently own the tiebreaker with Charlotte and have road games at FAU and South Florida - if SMU can extend their run they could steal the regular season conference title

4. Charlotte (17-8, 11-2); NET# 95 - the NET isn't impressive but the 49ers have won 11 of 12 with a game at Memphis later this week; Charlotte has a favorable schedule down the stretch and can still win the regular season title if they can get past the Tigers and Bulls

NIT Bound

5. Memphis (18-8, 7-6); NET #: 81 - that tough non-conference schedule has not helped the Tigers get off their conference roller coaster - Memphis opened 4-0 in the conference, then lost 4 straight, to then win 3 straight and then turn around and lose 2 straight; the Tigers last 5 games are all against teams with a winning conference record

6. UAB (17-8, 9-3); NET #:116 - the Blazers have now won 12 of their last 15 and are 5-0 at home in conference play, joining South Florida, Charlotte and FAU as the only teams unbeaten at home in conference play; UAB has upcoming games against Rice, Tulane and Wichita State, and could be 12-3 in conference heading into their road game at Memphis

Post Season Possible

7. North Texas (14-11, 7-6); NET #: 74 - the NET is impressive but the Mean Green are fading fast - losers of 5 of their last 7

Second Division

8. East Carolina (14-12, 7-6); NET #175 - The Pirates have won 3 in a row against the bottom of the conference and can get to 8-6 with their upcoming road game at Rice, but ECU finishes conference play against 4 teams with winning conference records

9. Tulane (13-12, 4-9); NET: #122 – Green wave have lost 6 of their last 7 and next 4 games are against teams with a winning conference record

10. Tulsa (13-12, 4-9); NET: #200 – half of the Golden Hurricanes conference wins have come against Rice

11. Rice (9-16, 3-9); NET: #241 - Remarkably Owls are 0-5 at home in conference play but 3-3 on the road

12. Wichita State (10-16, 2-11); NET: #160 – Shockers have only won 3 games since late November

13. Temple (9-17, 2-11); NET: #246 – Owls move up by virtue of their 6 point win against UTSA

14. UTSA (8-18, 2-11): NET: #283 – Road Runners have allowed less than 85 points in their last 5 games which is nice


All-Conference teams will be updated every other week.

SMU Mustangs (19-8, 10-4 AAC) at South Florida Bulls (20-5, 13-1 AAC)

Tampa, Florida; Sunday, 12 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Kasean Pryor and the South Florida Bulls host Zhuric Phelps and the SMU Mustangs.

The Bulls are 13-2 in home games. South Florida ranks eighth in the AAC with 23.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Pryor averaging 5.8

The Mustangs are 10-4 in conference play. SMU leads the AAC with 16.2 assists. Chuck Harris leads the Mustangs with 3.6.

South Florida scores 75.1 points, 8.9 more per game than the 66.2 SMU gives up. SMU has shot at a 46.2% rate from the field this season, 4.4 percentage points greater than the 41.8% shooting opponents of South Florida have averaged.

The Bulls and Mustangs face off Sunday for the first time in AAC play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pryor is averaging 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Bulls. Chris Youngblood is averaging 15.4 points over the last 10 games for South Florida

Phelps is averaging 14.7 points and two steals for the Mustangs. Harris is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for SMU.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 10-0, averaging 73.3 points, 35.6 rebounds, 15.1 assists, 5.9 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.5 points per game.

Mustangs: 7-3, averaging 82.2 points, 38.4 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.5 points.

AP Previews SMU at South Florida

so the highest ranked G5 champ will get in. However, top 4 (P4) conf champs get ranked 1-4 and get a bye. The 5th highest ranked champ (G5) gets in but my guess most yrs will be ranked below most if not all at large P4 teams. Thus the 5th AQ will go on the road and play a true road playoff game.

I don't want to make a full board with pictures, but I saw one of those things where you have $15 to build your best offense for Louisville so I thought I'd do it here.

You have $15 and have to fill each position. Values can be debated in your selections, but they are final for this game. I basically just went with career or seasonal statistical leaders with some adjustments based on competition level. Assume you get each player in their best season here. WRs can be picked from either list.

QB- Flowers- $5, Grothe- $4, Byrum Brown- $3, BJ Daniels- $2, Blackwell- $1

RB: Hall- $5, Mack- $4, Brian Battie- $3, D'Ernest Johnson- $2, Rafael Williams- $1

WR: Sean Atkins- $5, MVS- $4, Carlton Mitchell- $3, Hugh Smith- $2, Tyre McCants- $1

WR: Rodney Adams- $5, Andre Davis $4, Xavier Weaver- $3, Huey Whittaker- $2, Dontavia Bogan OR Taurus Johnson- $1

TE: Mitchell Wilcox- $5, Sean Price- $4, Cedric Hill- $3, Mike McFarland- $2, Kano Dillon- $1

I'm going Brown, Mack, Davis, Weaver, Dillon

I am down in the Keys for a wedding and will not be able to attend the SMU game. I have club level tickets in row A of section 102. If someone wants them send me an email address and I’ll forward them to you along with a parking pass.

Let me know, looking to avoid service fees. ticket not for me.

Certainly hasn't stop their dominance. I love it!!

Login to view embedded media

Virtually absent of rules, the NIL game is great for recruits, vexing for college coaches​

Bulls now favored by 6 with an over/under set at 155.5. Taking the over tonight.

From usf



TAMPA, Fla. (February 21, 2024) – The University of South Florida men’s basketball team took to the road for an American Athletic Conference contest with UTSA on Wednesday. Selton Miguel led the Bulls with a game-high 17 points as USF defeated UTSA 66-61.



With the win, USF improved to 20-5 overall and 13-1 in AAC play, while UTSA fell to 8-19 overall and 2-12 in conference games. The 12-game winning streak is tied for the second-longest active streak in the NCAA.



The Bulls extended their winning streak to 12 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history. The 13 wins in conference play are the most in program history, surpassing the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12. The 12-game winning streak ties the longest winning streak in program history. The Bulls had a 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season. For the sixth time in program history, USF has won 20 games in a season.



The game opened as a back-and-forth battle that saw a tie game, 5-5, at the first media timeout with 16 minutes left in the opening stanza. Corey Walker Jr. produced a dunk off a set play.



South Florida added a 13-7 run and extended its lead to 18-12 with just under 10 minutes left in the half. Kasean Pryor capped off the run with a slam dunk in transition.



The Bulls outscored the Roadrunners 6-3 and extended their lead to 24-15 with just under eight minutes left in the first half. UTSA went on a 6-4 run, where Isaiah Wyatt knocked down two 3-pointers for the Roadrunners. UTSA cut the USF lead to 28-21. The Roadrunners ended the half on a 9-4 run, but the Bulls took a 32-30 lead into the half.



The Bulls outscored the Roadrunners 8-7 to open the second half and extended their lead to 40-37 with 16:28left in regulation. UTSA outscored USF 5-3 over the next five minutes of play, but South Florida held a 43-42 lead with just over 11 minutes left on the clock.



Pryor finished a 5-4 run with an emphatic slam off a Youngblood pass. The Bulls held a 48-46 lead with 7:44left in regulation.



UTSA went on an 11-6 run and claimed a 57-54 lead with 4:00 left to play. The Bulls outscored the Roadrunners 4-2 over the next 2:20 of play and cut the deficit to 59-58. USF held UTSA to just one field goal over the final 1:39 of play and scored eight to claim a 66-61 victory. The Bulls held the Roadrunners to just two points over the final 3:05 of play.



Miguel posted a game-high 17 points, his 21st game of the season in double figures. He added six rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Pryor recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He added four assists, two blocks, and one steal. Youngblood finished with 15 points, two rebounds, and two blocks. Brandon Stroud notched a game-high four steals to go along with seven rebounds, five points, and two assists.



The USF bench outscored the UTSA bench 35-24. The Bulls dominated down low as they outscored the Roadrunners in the paint 36-16. South Florida had the advantage in fastbreak points 23-15.



Christian Tucker led UTSA with 15 points, six assists, two rebounds and one steal. Chandler Cuthrell posted a double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 points. Carlton Linguard Jr. closed out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.



Notables

· The Bulls extended their winning streak to 12 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history.

· The 13 wins in conference play are the most in program history, surpassing the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12.

· The 12-game winning streak ties the longest winning streak in program history. The Bulls had a 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season.

· For the sixth time in program history, USF has won 20 games in a season. The first time since the 2018-19 season.

· The 12-game winning streak is tied for the second-longest active streak in the NCAA.

· Selton Miguel posted a game-high 17 points, his 21st game of the season in double figures. He added six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

· Kasean Pryor recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He added four assists, two blocks, and one steal.

· Chris Youngblood finished with 15 points, two rebounds, and two blocks. It was his 20th game in double figures.



Next Up

The Bulls return to the friendly confines of the Yuengling Center on Sunday, Feb. 25. South Florida and SMU are scheduled for a noon tip on ESPN2.



To stay up-to-date on the latest USF men's basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).

Saw it on Twitter but did my own research. The 20th win the Bulls picked up at UTSA Wednesday night is the first time in program history they have won 20 games without the aid of winning games in conference tournaments and/or any other postseason tournaments. That is amazing to just think about! Truly we are watching a historic USF Bulls season right before our eyes.

Also the 20 regular season games triggered a much deserved bonus for CAAR.

$25,000 for a 20-win season and $30,000 for a 25-win season. There is also a bonus of $25,000 each if the Bulls become regular season and tournament conference champions.

There is a chance CAAR can achieve all of those in his 1st season.

Bulls favored by 6.5 on the road

The parents of 2024 Kell HS point guard CJ Brown talk about his commitment to USF and how one thing Amir Abdur-Rahim said to them became a deciding factor.


STORY

IRVING, Texas – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly men’s basketball honors for the 15th week of the regular season.



PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Selton Miguel, Sr., G, South Florida

Miguel averaged 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists as the Bulls maintained their position atop The American’s standings. Miguel poured in 25 points in South Florida’s win over No. 24 Florida Atlantic on Sunday



FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

PJ Haggerty, G, Tulsa

Haggerty averaged 24.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in two Golden Hurricane contests last week. The freshman recorded his first double-double of the season in an overtime win over Rice on Saturday, recording 30 points and 10 rebounds.



HONOR ROLL

Yaxel Lendeborg, Jr., F, UAB

Lendeborg recorded 26 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in a win over North Texas on Sunday.



Lu’Cye Patterson, R-Jr., G, Charlotte

Patterson averaged 18.0 points and 3.5 rebounds as the 49ers defeated UTSA on Thursday and Wichita State on Sunday.



Brandon Johnson, R-Jr., F, East Carolina

Johnson helped lead the Pirates to two victories by averaging 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.0 steals.



Jason Edwards, So., G, North Texas

Edwards averaged 29.5 points as the Mean Green split a pair of games last week. He scored 30 in a win over Memphis on Thursday before dropping 29 at UAB on Sunday.



Samuell Williamson, Sr., SMU

Williamson averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists as the Mustangs won at Tulane and against Memphis at home on Sunday. Williamson passed the 1,000-career point mark in the game against the Green Wave.