TAMPA, Fla. (January 14, 2025) – A clash is set between the American Athletic Conference champions from the 2023-24 season as the University of South Florida men’s basketball team faces UAB on Wednesday, January 15. The Bulls, the defending AAC regular-season champions, will meet the Blazers, the defending AAC tournament champions, at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. Wednesday’s game is presented by Fresh From Florida.
USF enters Wednesday with an overall record of 9-7 and a 2-1 in conference play, while UAB comes into the game 10-7 overall and 3-1 in the AAC. Wednesday will be our Autism Acceptance game.
Sharp-Shooting Knox
Kobe Knox is shooting 79.4 percent from the field, 76.2 percent from 3-point range, and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. He joins Alexis Yetna, Antun Maricevic, and Deon Green as the only players to shoot at least 75.0 percent from the field, 75.0 percent from 3-point range, and 70.0 percent from the free-throw line, with no shooting minimums. He is the only player in USF and AAC history to record these percentages with a minimum of 20 field goal attempts and 15 3-point attempts. He is the only NCAA player to achieve this feat this season. Since the 1996-97 season, there have only been five players in NCAA history to shoot at least 79.0 percent from the field, 76.0 percent from 3-point range, and 71.0 percent from the free-throw line. Knox is one of them.
Quincy’s Perfect Shooting
Quincy Ademokoya shot 4-for-4 from the field, 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line in his last game against Tulane. No other USF player in the previous 25 seasons has matched that stat line in a game.
Jayden Reid, One of 11
Jayden Reid is one of 11 DI players this season to lead his team in made 3-pointers, made free throws, assists, and steals. The only South Florida player to finish a season leading the team in all four categories was Tyler Harris in 2022-23.
Strong First Half in Conference Games
South Florida has led at halftime in all three conference games this season. The last time the Bulls did this in at least their first three conference games of a campaign was 2001-02 (also the first three).
Shooting Lights Out
Since December 21, 2024, the Bulls have been one of three DI teams with at least a 55.0 field goal percentage and 75.0 free-throw percentage. The other two with those marks over that time frame are Cornell and Miami (OH). The Bulls are shooting 55.1 percent from the field over the last five games, the best mark in program history.
Making it Count at the Line
USF is tied for 53rd in the country and fourth in the AAC with a free-throw percentage of 75.8 percent.
Stout Long-Range Defense
The Bulls have held opponents to 30.3 percent from 3-point range. USF is tied for 56th in the NCAA and second in the AAC in 3-point defense.
Getting Out in Transition
South Florida is 18th in the nation and third in the conference with 15.63 fastbreak points per game.
Strong Bench
The Bulls are 42nd in the NCAA and third in the AAC, averaging 28.75 bench points per game. The USF bench has only been outscored five times this season. South Florida is holding opponents to 19.25 bench points per game.
Looking at the Bulls
Jayden Reid and Jamille Reynolds are tied for the team lead with 12.1 points per game. Reid has a team-high 64 assists and a team-best 27 steals. He has also added one block. Reynolds has a team-best 7.5 rebounds per game, which is fifth in the AAC. His 6.20 defensive rebounds per game are 42nd in the country and second in the conference. His four double-doubles are tied for 73rd in the nation and third in the league. He paces the team with 19 blocks. He has dished out 15 assists and has five steals. Kobe Knox closes out the double-digit scorers with 11.2 points per game. He averages 2.7 rebounds per game with 23 assists, 13 steals, and four blocks. Kasen Jennings is second on the team with 37 assists. He averages 8.8 points per game with 11 steals. De’Ante Green is second on the team with 4.8 rebounds per contest. He averages 6.8 points per game with 10 assists, seven blocks, and three steals. Brandon Stroud averages 8.2 points per contest and 4.4 rebounds per game. He has 36 assists, 23 steals, and one block. CJ Brown is second on the team with 12 blocks. He averages 6.1 points per contest with 30 assists and 16 steals.
History with UAB
USF and UAB will meet for the 63rd time on Wednesday. UAB has won the last four meetings, including a 93-83 victory in the AAC Tournament on March 16, 2024. The Bulls are 12-16 at home against the Blazers.
Scouting the Blazers
The Preseason American Conference Player of the Year, Yaxel Lendeborg, leads UAB. He averages 16.7 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game. He is tied for 15th in the NCAA and leads the AAC with 10.1 rebounds per game. He is 17th in the country and leads the conference with 6.94 defensive rebounds per game. He is tied for 38th in the nation and is second in the league with 3.18 offensive rebounds per contest. With 10 double-doubles, he is tied for fifth in the NCAA and leads the AAC. He leads the team with 67 assists, 27 blocks, and 24 steals. Christian Coleman is second on the team with 12.1 points per game and second on the squad with 7.5 rebounds per contest. He has 26 assists, 20 steals, and 13 blocks. Alejandro Vasquez averages 11.2 points per contest, while Ja’Borri McGhee averages 10.8. UAB leads the country with 19.12 fastbreak points per game. The Blazers are 12th in the NCAA with 14.65 offensive rebounds per game and tied for 14th in the country with 41.06 rebounds per contest. UAB is tied for 18th in the nation, averaging 84.6 points per game.
Tale of the Tape
| USF | Category | UAB |
| 78.8 | POINTS PER GAME | 84.6 |
| 73.7 | OPP. POINTS PER GAME | 74.6 |
| .479 | FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .468 |
| .434 | OPP. FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .426 |
| .352 | 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .331 |
| .303 | OPP. 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .337 |
| .758 | FREE THROW PERCENTAGE | .753 |
| 34.8 | REBOUNDS PER GAME | 41.1 |
| 0.8 | REBOUNDING MARGIN | 6.6 |
| 16.1 | ASSISTS PER GAME | 16.4 |
| 12.4 | TURNOVERS PER GAME | 10.9 |
| 0.3 | TURNOVER MARGIN | 1.5 |
| 8.1 | STEALS PER GAME | 7.2 |
| 3.1 | BLOCKS PER GAME | 3.6 |
American Conference Standings
1. Memphis – 13-3, 3-0
T2. UAB – 10-7, 3-1
T2. Tulane – 9-8, 3-1
T4. North Texas – 11-4, 2-1
T4. Temple – 10-6, 2-1
T4. South Florida – 9-7, 2-1
T7. Rice – 11-6, 2-2
T7. Florida Atlantic – 9-8, 2-2
T7. Tulsa – 8-9, 2-2
10. UTSA – 7-8, 1-2
11. East Carolina – 9-8, 1-3
12. Wichita State – 10-6, 0-3
13. Charlotte – 7-10, 0-4
