Both the football and men’s basketball programs rarely show such a transformation in year one of a new coach and culture change, but that is what has occurred at USF, as the Bulls’ football program had the best turnaround in DI football this past season.
Now, the basketball program under Amir Abdur-Rahim is experiencing a resurgence and following the steps of the football program.
The Bulls are having their best season in ten years and could go dancing in March. Yes, the turnaround has been that dramatic.
The Bulls are currently 14-5 on the season, 7-1 in conference play, and tied for first with Charlotte and their new rival, FAU.
The Bulls are on a six-game winning streak and have won twelve of their last thirteen to put themselves in an excellent position for a postseason berth as the regular season’s final month begins.
These next two weeks will determine whether the USF Bulls are pretenders or contenders for winning the AAC and getting an NCAA tournament bid.
USF will play at North Texas on Saturday before a big home game against Charlotte on Tuesday Night. The Bulls will then visit Rice, followed by home games against Tulsa and FAU.
This Bulls team is getting contributions from everyone up and down the lineup. Senior guard Selton Miguel and senior forward Chris Youngblood lead the Bulls in scoring at 14.5 a game. Then there is Kobe Knox, averaging 8.6 points a game, and Jose Placer, who puts up 7.4 points a game.
But no one has been more consistent and made more of an impact than 6’10” junior forward Kesean Pryor.
Pryor was the AAC Player of the Week two weeks ago as he led USF to two wins. He also had three consecutive games of double-doubles.
Pryor is third on the team in scoring at 12.7 a game and leads the team in rebounding at 7. 1 rebounds a game. Pryor has also been a force on the defensive end for the Bulls, leading the team in steals and blocked shots.
Before the season began, Abdur-Rahim talked about his vision for the USF basketball team. “It’s not about perfection, it’s about progression, and we are getting better every day. I’m a guy who’s comfortable being uncomfortable. That’s where you get growth.”
Abdur-Rahim also promised that the Bulls would be gritty and play with an edge.
Mission accomplished for this version of the USF Bulls.