The University of South Florida men’s basketball team has officially arrived in Buffalo, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated NCAA Tournament appearances in program history. The Bulls, now 25–8 after sweeping both the American Conference regular‑season and tournament championships, will face No. 6 seed Louisville on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
USF NEWS – Sports Talk Florida
USF enters the Round of 64 riding the nation’s fourth‑longest winning streak at 11 games, tied for the most single‑season victories the program has ever recorded. It is the Bulls’ fourth NCAA Tournament appearance and their first since 2012.
Statistical Matchup: Elite Offense Meets High‑Powered Opponent
The Bulls arrive in Buffalo with one of the most explosive offenses in the country. USF ranks No. 8 nationally in scoring at a program‑record 87.7 points per game. Louisville isn’t far behind, sitting at No. 20 with 84.7 points per contest.
USF also ranks No. 24 in assists per game (17.2), slightly ahead of the Cardinals (17.1). In transition, the Bulls are among the nation’s best, averaging 14.73 fast‑break points per game — good for No. 24 nationally.
Defensively, Izaiyah Nelson continues to anchor the Bulls’ interior. Nelson ranks No. 18 in the country in rebounding (9.6 per game) and is tied for No. 8 nationally with 18 double‑doubles.
Familiar Faces on Louisville’s Roster
Thursday’s matchup adds an emotional wrinkle: Louisville features two former Bulls — Kasean Pryor and Ryan Conwell. Pryor played under Amir Abdur‑Rahim in 2023–24, while Conwell began his college career at USF in 2022–23.
The game also marks the 34th all‑time meeting between the programs and the first in more than a decade.
Bulls Enter Tournament Fresh Off Championship Performance
USF punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a dominant 70–55 win over Wichita State in the American Conference Championship. Wes Enis led the way with 19 points and three steals, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. Nelson added 13 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
The victory tied the program record for single‑season wins and broke USF’s record for field goals made in a season.
Hodgson’s First NCAA Trip With USF
Head coach Bryan Hodgson, hired in March 2025, has engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in college basketball. In just his second season, he has delivered USF’s second regular‑season conference title, second postseason championship, and now its fourth NCAA Tournament berth.
The Moment Has Arrived
With momentum, depth, and confidence, USF steps into Buffalo believing this run can be special. The Bulls have already rewritten the record book — now they aim to extend their season on the sport’s biggest stage.
