The season starts tomorrow and so it's time to start talking about it here.
A preview from Joey Johnson , click the link below.
The Bulls’ Season of Resilience
I'm not going to look back because we all know about the shocking news on Coach Amir Abdur Rahim and that loss will be felt for years throughout the USF community. However, we have a season to play and it's a season that CAAR was really excited about, so we should be excited about it too, seeing that is what he would want. Obviously there were a record number of season tickets bought and for good reason coming off a historic 2023-24 season that produced some first for the program.
* 25 wins was a school record
* First time conference regular season champions
* 16 wins in conference
* Undefeated at home in league play
* 15 game win streak that was the best in the nation at one point
* First Top 25 ranking in school history
Last season was historically and the most fun ever in men's college basketball. Thank you CAAR and the team.
Going into the 2024 - 25 season, the Bulls look to repeat as AAC regular season champions. They were picked to finish 3rd behind UAB and Memphis. The College basketball pundits were high on the Bulls before the death of CAAR, and have since cooled on their predicted outcome to the season a little. Ben Fletcher is taking over in an Interim coach role and no one knows the psyche of our players. However I think the psyche of our players will be what powers them to another winning season. They are highly motivated to dedicate this season to CAAR. I'm not sure about Coach Ben Fletcher just yet, and I admit a veteran coach on the bench to help him would be ideal imo. However that may be just me being comfortable going into the season.
USF loss 4 important players from last season's roster, 3 guards and a F/C. Gone are Chris Youngblood, Selton Miguel, Jose Placer, and Kasean Pryor. Trying to replace their production and leadership will come from Guards Kasen Jennings, Jimmie Williams, CJ Brown(Fresh), Kameren Wright(Fresh), and Quincy Ademokoya. Forwards/Center De'Ante Green, Jaylen Wharton, and Jamille Reynolds. Key Returning players are Jayden Reid, Kobe Knox, Brandon Stroud, and Corey Walker Jr.
This is a deeper, more physical and athletic team then last season. The major question is who will be the consistent offensive threats? Last season we could count on the Big 3 knowing that at least 2 of them would have good games, and when all 3 played well, USF didn't lose to anybody. This season our offensive production will have to come from a bigger committee of players. Jayden Reid is expected to have a much larger role as a scorer and just as important, as a team leader. I believe he will excel in both roles, especially once he learns and trusts in his teammates. That might not fully come until USF gets closer to league play. This non-conference schedule is there to help the team gel and gain confidence in many areas that will serve them going into AAC play.
Nov. 4th - #21 Florida Gators(Jacksonville) - This is a game I kind of wish was played later than at the beginning. Florida might be better this season because they are actually putting more energy into defense instead of looking at out-score teams. They can still score at a good rate, but so far in the preseason they appear to be much better on defense. A good comparison to this season's Florida Gators is last season's FAU team that USF beat in a trilling game in the YC. In fact Alijah Martin who was the starting SG on that Owls is now starting for the Gators.
Nov. 8 - College of Charleston(away) - Very tough road test early. CoC is breaking in a new team and a new coach Chris Mack. Gone are the players and head coach that led them to back to back NCAAT appearance, Pat Kelsey who is now at UL took his best players from CofC with him to Louisville, and tampered(recruited) Kasean Pryor from USF too. However Chris Mack still managed to put together a good roster despite the losses, but what makes Charleston tough at home is their fans pack out the place. Charleston is really one of the model Mid-Majors that USF hopes to become. They are a winning, coach promoting, high fan support college basketball program. This WILL BE A TOUGH GAME to win on the road. for these new Bulls. One Side note: CAAR was an associate coach and recruiting coordinator there when he was 32 years old.
Nov. 12 - UAPB (home) - Nice uniform colors but not much else. This should be a lopsided home win for USF.
Nov. 15 - West Georgia (home) - Should be another home win where the team can start feeling pretty good about themselves.
Nov. 21 - Portland (Myrtle Beach Invitational) - finished 6th in the WCC last season and had an overall record of 12 - 21 (5-11). They will be counting on 8 freshmen(some redshirt), 11 newcomers all together this season. Expect some growing pains for the Pilots. USF should win this game to open tournament play.
Nov. 22, 24 - Myrtle Beach Invitational continues, Opponent TBD. There are 8 teams participating in this event. The other 6 teams are Bradley, Middle Tenn, Ohio, Princeton, Texas St, and Wright St Besides USF, keep an eye out for the Ohio Bobcats(picked to win the MAC), Bradley Braves(picked to win the MVC), and Princeton(Picked to win the Ivy League). Nice mid-major competition for all involved. If USF can go undefeated in this tournament it will be HUGE!
Dec. 03 - Stetson(home): The Hatters are coming off a trip to the NCAAT for the 1st time in school history by winning the ASUN. Old foe Donnie Jones coaches them so you know he will have a talented squad being a proven recruiter. This will be a tough home game and the Bulls will need their crowd to help. I'm sure a good amount of Stetson's fans will be at the YC. This will be a good game to watch.
Dec. 07 - Loyola Chicago(home) - The Ramblers picked to finish 4th in the tough A10. They are coached by Drew Valentine who guided his team to a winning season after having a horrible 2022-23 season where they finished last in league play. As a whole the A10 is supposed to be better this season, and the Ramblers are predicted to finish 5th. Remember it was an A10 team that ended USF's story book season in the NIT, because they were distracted. The Bulls will have to come to play from start to finish if they want to win and avoid the home upset.
Dec. 14 - Utah State(away) - Loved watching them play last season and their PF Great Osobor(love the name). As the defending MVC, the Aggies went 28-7 last season and won a game in the NCAAT. They enjoy a home atmosphere that would make any HM team jealous. Their fans show up and pack the house and are very loud! Utah State lost a lot off that team including HC Danny Sprinkle(Washington) who is one of the best head coaches in college basketball. Utah State is expected to finish 6th in the MVC this upcoming season, but that league plays a good brand of basketball from top to bottom. This is a TALL TASK on the road.
Dec. 18 - Bethune-Cookman(home) - Cupcake, time to eat a little before conference play
Dec. 21 - Texas A&M Commerce(home) - Cupcake, time to eat a little before conference play
Dec. 28- Webber International(home) - Cupcake, time to eat a little before conference play
A preview from Joey Johnson , click the link below.
The Bulls’ Season of Resilience
I'm not going to look back because we all know about the shocking news on Coach Amir Abdur Rahim and that loss will be felt for years throughout the USF community. However, we have a season to play and it's a season that CAAR was really excited about, so we should be excited about it too, seeing that is what he would want. Obviously there were a record number of season tickets bought and for good reason coming off a historic 2023-24 season that produced some first for the program.
* 25 wins was a school record
* First time conference regular season champions
* 16 wins in conference
* Undefeated at home in league play
* 15 game win streak that was the best in the nation at one point
* First Top 25 ranking in school history
Last season was historically and the most fun ever in men's college basketball. Thank you CAAR and the team.
Going into the 2024 - 25 season, the Bulls look to repeat as AAC regular season champions. They were picked to finish 3rd behind UAB and Memphis. The College basketball pundits were high on the Bulls before the death of CAAR, and have since cooled on their predicted outcome to the season a little. Ben Fletcher is taking over in an Interim coach role and no one knows the psyche of our players. However I think the psyche of our players will be what powers them to another winning season. They are highly motivated to dedicate this season to CAAR. I'm not sure about Coach Ben Fletcher just yet, and I admit a veteran coach on the bench to help him would be ideal imo. However that may be just me being comfortable going into the season.
USF loss 4 important players from last season's roster, 3 guards and a F/C. Gone are Chris Youngblood, Selton Miguel, Jose Placer, and Kasean Pryor. Trying to replace their production and leadership will come from Guards Kasen Jennings, Jimmie Williams, CJ Brown(Fresh), Kameren Wright(Fresh), and Quincy Ademokoya. Forwards/Center De'Ante Green, Jaylen Wharton, and Jamille Reynolds. Key Returning players are Jayden Reid, Kobe Knox, Brandon Stroud, and Corey Walker Jr.
This is a deeper, more physical and athletic team then last season. The major question is who will be the consistent offensive threats? Last season we could count on the Big 3 knowing that at least 2 of them would have good games, and when all 3 played well, USF didn't lose to anybody. This season our offensive production will have to come from a bigger committee of players. Jayden Reid is expected to have a much larger role as a scorer and just as important, as a team leader. I believe he will excel in both roles, especially once he learns and trusts in his teammates. That might not fully come until USF gets closer to league play. This non-conference schedule is there to help the team gel and gain confidence in many areas that will serve them going into AAC play.
A more challenging non-conference schedule than some realize!
Nov. 4th - #21 Florida Gators(Jacksonville) - This is a game I kind of wish was played later than at the beginning. Florida might be better this season because they are actually putting more energy into defense instead of looking at out-score teams. They can still score at a good rate, but so far in the preseason they appear to be much better on defense. A good comparison to this season's Florida Gators is last season's FAU team that USF beat in a trilling game in the YC. In fact Alijah Martin who was the starting SG on that Owls is now starting for the Gators.
Nov. 8 - College of Charleston(away) - Very tough road test early. CoC is breaking in a new team and a new coach Chris Mack. Gone are the players and head coach that led them to back to back NCAAT appearance, Pat Kelsey who is now at UL took his best players from CofC with him to Louisville, and tampered(recruited) Kasean Pryor from USF too. However Chris Mack still managed to put together a good roster despite the losses, but what makes Charleston tough at home is their fans pack out the place. Charleston is really one of the model Mid-Majors that USF hopes to become. They are a winning, coach promoting, high fan support college basketball program. This WILL BE A TOUGH GAME to win on the road. for these new Bulls. One Side note: CAAR was an associate coach and recruiting coordinator there when he was 32 years old.
Nov. 12 - UAPB (home) - Nice uniform colors but not much else. This should be a lopsided home win for USF.
Nov. 15 - West Georgia (home) - Should be another home win where the team can start feeling pretty good about themselves.
Nov. 21 - Portland (Myrtle Beach Invitational) - finished 6th in the WCC last season and had an overall record of 12 - 21 (5-11). They will be counting on 8 freshmen(some redshirt), 11 newcomers all together this season. Expect some growing pains for the Pilots. USF should win this game to open tournament play.
Nov. 22, 24 - Myrtle Beach Invitational continues, Opponent TBD. There are 8 teams participating in this event. The other 6 teams are Bradley, Middle Tenn, Ohio, Princeton, Texas St, and Wright St Besides USF, keep an eye out for the Ohio Bobcats(picked to win the MAC), Bradley Braves(picked to win the MVC), and Princeton(Picked to win the Ivy League). Nice mid-major competition for all involved. If USF can go undefeated in this tournament it will be HUGE!
Dec. 03 - Stetson(home): The Hatters are coming off a trip to the NCAAT for the 1st time in school history by winning the ASUN. Old foe Donnie Jones coaches them so you know he will have a talented squad being a proven recruiter. This will be a tough home game and the Bulls will need their crowd to help. I'm sure a good amount of Stetson's fans will be at the YC. This will be a good game to watch.
Dec. 07 - Loyola Chicago(home) - The Ramblers picked to finish 4th in the tough A10. They are coached by Drew Valentine who guided his team to a winning season after having a horrible 2022-23 season where they finished last in league play. As a whole the A10 is supposed to be better this season, and the Ramblers are predicted to finish 5th. Remember it was an A10 team that ended USF's story book season in the NIT, because they were distracted. The Bulls will have to come to play from start to finish if they want to win and avoid the home upset.
Dec. 14 - Utah State(away) - Loved watching them play last season and their PF Great Osobor(love the name). As the defending MVC, the Aggies went 28-7 last season and won a game in the NCAAT. They enjoy a home atmosphere that would make any HM team jealous. Their fans show up and pack the house and are very loud! Utah State lost a lot off that team including HC Danny Sprinkle(Washington) who is one of the best head coaches in college basketball. Utah State is expected to finish 6th in the MVC this upcoming season, but that league plays a good brand of basketball from top to bottom. This is a TALL TASK on the road.
Dec. 18 - Bethune-Cookman(home) - Cupcake, time to eat a little before conference play
Dec. 21 - Texas A&M Commerce(home) - Cupcake, time to eat a little before conference play
Dec. 28- Webber International(home) - Cupcake, time to eat a little before conference play
