The USF Bulls are back at home this week with a big matchup on Sunday afternoon against their in-state rival, FAU.
But first, there is some business to take care of with a conference game against the University of Tulsa.
The Bulls sit alone in first place in the AAC at 10-1 in conference play and 17-5 overall.
USF has won nine conference games in a row, which is a program high, and also, their 17-5 start to the season is the best start in program history.
USF Getting Scoring From Everyone In The Lineup
The Bulls are getting consistent play from everyone up and down the lineup. In the win over Charlotte last week, Selton Miguel led the way for the Bulls with 22 points, including 13/14 at the line.
In the win against Rice on Saturday, Chris Youngblood led the way for the Bulls with 24 points.
The USF bench has been instrumental in the Bulls’ 17-5 start, averaging 42 points a game and outscoring their opponents 587-405.
The Bulls have not had much luck against Tulsa, with just two wins in 14 tries. However, the Bulls have won the last two games in this series and will go for three in a row on Wednesday night.
Bulls Started Hot And Never Looked Back
The Bulls wanted to start fast, and that’s what they did as they came out firing on all cylinders, hitting 4/5 three-pointers, two by Tampa native Kobe Knox, as USF built an early 14-6 lead.
That was just the start, as the Bulls would stay red hot throughout the half.
Everyone joined in on the three-point party. Kobe Knox had two and Selton Miguel, Jose Placer, and Brandon Stroud also hit three-pointers, as the Bulls shot 57% from three point range in the first half.
The Bulls would turn the ball over twice late in the first half, but Tulsa could not take advantage of the USF turnovers.
The Bulls would lead by as many as 18 in the first half and ended the half with a 44-28 lead, led by Selton Miguel with ten points and Jose Placer with nine.
In the second half, the Bulls would pick up where they left off in the first half, continuing their torrid shooting from three-point range, building a 52-33 lead before the shooting went cold.
Mid-way through the second half, the Bulls became a bit complacent and got a bit sloppy with the basketball and let Tulsa get to within 13 at 55-42.
Tulsa would continue climbing back into the game and trailed by ten with 5:38 to go.
USF would have 15 turnovers, which did not make Coach Abdur-Rahim very happy.
A Chris Youngblood shot put the Bulls up by 14, 64-50. Then a Kobe Knox three would put the Bulls up by 17, sealing the 69-50 win for the Bulls.
Kobe Knox led the Bulls with 14 points and Kasean Pryor added 12 in the win.
Biggest Game In Years Up Next For USF
The Bulls are now 11-1 in conference play and 18-5 overall. Next up is the biggest game of the year on Sunday, a noon tipoff against a top-25 team in FAU and a fellow Florida rival.
This is a statement game for USF. A win, and they will almost guarantee themselves a post-season bid. Lose, and the Bulls may need a bit of luck to get into the field of 68.