Bulls Add Dayton to an Already Upgraded Nonconference Slate
South Florida men’s basketball has added another major opponent to its 2026–27 schedule, announcing a home‑and‑home series with the University of Dayton. USF will travel to UD Arena on Dec. 12, 2026, with the Flyers returning the matchup to Tampa early in the 2027–28 season .
The agreement marks the second home‑and‑home series scheduled under new head coach Chris Mack, who previously secured a series with DePaul. The move continues USF’s push to elevate its nonconference profile as the program enters a new era.
Dayton Brings National Pedigree and Postseason Experience
Dayton enters the series as one of the Atlantic‑10’s most consistent programs. The Flyers went 25–12 last season, reached the A‑10 championship game, and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals .
Their postseason résumé includes 19 NCAA Tournament appearances and 28 NIT berths, making them one of the most accomplished mid‑major programs in the country. Dayton leads the all‑time series with USF 4–2, though the teams have not met since the 1997 San Juan Shootout.
A New‑Look Bulls Roster Ready for High‑Level Matchups
The 2026–27 season will be Chris Mack’s first full campaign in Tampa, and the Bulls will take the floor with a completely rebuilt roster. USF returned no players from last year’s 25‑9 team that won both the American Conference regular‑season and tournament titles .
Mack’s first roster features 12 transfer additions and three high‑school signees, including four players rated .9100 or higher by 247Sports. The Bulls’ average transfer rating of 89.00 ranks third among Group of 6 programs, and the overall class sits among the nation’s top 10 in that tier.
A Series That Signals USF’s Ambition Under Chris Mack
USF’s scheduling strategy under Mack is clear: challenge the roster early, build a national résumé, and prepare for postseason expectations. Adding Dayton — a program with national reach, strong fan support, and a history of NCAA Tournament success — reinforces that approach.
With DePaul and Dayton now on the schedule, the Bulls are assembling one of their most competitive nonconference slates in years.
