TAMPA, Fla. (December 28, 2023) – The University of South Florida men's basketball team is back inside the friendly confines of the Yuengling Center for the final time in 2023 as Alabama State makes the trip to Tampa. The Bulls (6-4) and Hornets (4-7) are scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip on ESPN+.
Earlier this week, Chris Youngblood was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll after he led USF against UAlbany. He finished the contest with a season-high 23 points, one shy of tying his career best. He added four assists, three rebounds, a block, and a steal as USF extended its winning streak to four games.
Bulls at a Glance
Selton Miguel leads the team with 14.3 points per contest and is second on the squad with 4.1 boards per game. He is second on the squad with 14 steals and is second on the team with 23 assists. He has added one block. Chris Youngblood is second on the squad with 13.6 points per game. He is averaging 2.3 rebounds per game to go along with 22 assists, five steals, and four blocks. He is shooting 86.0 percent from the free-throw line, which is tied for 93rd in the country and third in the AAC. Jayden Reid leads the team with 43 assists. He is tied for 100th in the NCAA with 4.3 assists per game and is seventh in the AAC. He has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.31, which is 24th in the country, best in the conference, and is second among NCAA freshmen. He paces the squad with 16 steals and is averaging 2.9 rebounds per game to go along with 7.9 points per contest. Kasean Pryor leads the team with 6.3 rebounds per contest. He averages 9.3 points per game with 13 assists and 12 steals. He has a team-best eight blocks. Corey Walker Jr. is second on the team with six blocks.
Strong Bench
South Florida’s bench is 25th in the NCAA averaging 30.9 points per contest. The USF bench has outscored its opponent's bench 309-161. Opposing benches are averaging just 16.1 points per game.
Cashing in on Free Opportunities
The Bulls are tied for 23rd in the NCAA and third in the conference with 17.9 made free throws per game. USF is tied for 28th in the country with 24.5 free-throw attempts per game, which is third in the AAC.
Fast and Furious
The Bulls have been playing stout defense and are tied for 18th in the NCAA with a turnover margin of 4.5, which is tops in the conference. South Florida is 31st in the country with 15.80 forced turnovers per contest, which is third in the AAC. USF has used the turnovers to lead to fastbreak opportunities. The Bulls are 30th in the nation with 15.60 fastbreak points per game, which is the third in the conference.
Last Time Out
South Florida extended its winning streak to four games with an 89-73 victory against UAlbany. For the third time this season, the Bulls had five guys finish in double-figure. Chris Youngblood led the way with a season-high 23 points, one shy of tying his career best. He added four assists, three rebounds, a block, and a steal. Kasean Pryor posted a career-high 21 points with eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal. Sam Hines Jr. added a 13-point performance with five rebounds and one steal. Brandon Stroud produced his first double-double at USF with 12 points and 12 rebounds. He added two steals. Selton Miguel finished the game with 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
History with Alabama State
The Bulls and Hornets will meet for the first time on Friday. South Florida is no stranger to SWAC competition as it played Arkansas-Pine Bluff earlier this season. USF is 36-7 against SWAC programs and enters Friday with an 11-game winning streak against SWAC opponents.
Scouting the Hornets
The Hornets have had success in transition and are 16th in the NCAA with 16.45 fastbreak points. Alabama State has been strong on the glass and is 42nd in the country with 40.73 rebounds per contest. The Hornets are 27th in the nation with 13.73 offensive rebounds per game. TJ Madlock paces the team with 16.2 points per game as well as steals with 20. He is second on the squad with 26 assists. He is third on the team with 4.6 rebounds per game and has added six blocks. D’Ante Bass is second on the team averaging 16.0 points a game. He leads the team with 8.0 rebounds per game. He has added four steals, four blocks, and three assists. Isaiah Range is third on the squad averaging 12.7 points per game. He is averaging 2.9 rebounds a game with 10 assists and two steals. CJ Hines rounds out the double-digit scores with 11.3 points per game. He leads the team with 39 assists. He is tied for 29th in the NCAA with an assists-to-turnover ratio of 3.25. He has 16 steals and one block to go along with 3.2 rebounds a game. Ubong Okon is second on the team with 6.6 rebounds per game. He is tied for 32nd in the NCAA with 3.4 offensive rebounds per game. He has a team-best nine blocks.
Tale of the Tape
| USF | Category | ALST |
| 76.9 | POINTS PER GAME | 72.2 |
| 69.8 | OPP. POINTS PER GAME | 76.1 |
| .425 | FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .382 |
| .435 | OPP. FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .422 |
| .304 | 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .321 |
| .320 | OPP. 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .320 |
| .731 | FREE THROW PERCENTAGE | .730 |
| 37.5 | REBOUNDS PER GAME | 40.7 |
| 0.6 | REBOUNDING MARGIN | -0.7 |
| 14.8 | ASSISTS PER GAME | 12.2 |
| 11.3 | TURNOVERS PER GAME | 11.7 |
| 4.5 | TURNOVER MARGIN | 2.2 |
| 7.9 | STEALS PER GAME | 8.5 |
| 3.0 | BLOCKS PER GAME | 3. |
