The USF Lady Bulls are returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023.
The Bulls earned the tournament bid and the number 12 seed by winning three straight games in the AAC tourney, including the championship game, where they beat Rice 61-53.
The Bulls will travel North to Columbus to play the Tenessee Volunteers, who are coached by first-year coach Kim Caldwell.
The Bulls’ biggest win this season was their 65-56 win over Duke.
The Bulls also played other nationally ranked teams, including Louisville, Mississippi State, TCU, South Carolina, and UConn. All five of those teams are in the NCAA tournament.
The Volunteers locked up the number four seed and enter the tournament losers of three of their last four games. Don’t let their record fool you. Tennessee is an excellent defensive team, forcing 22 turnovers per game. Offensively, the Lady Vols love the three-point shot as they average 31 three-point shots per game.
Sammie Puisis is one of the offensive leaders on this Bulls team, leading the team in scoring at 14.8 points per game, including 39.5 percent from the three-point line and 91.8 percent at the free throw line.
This is USF’s 19th postseason appearance and 10th NCAA appearance in program history.
USF has played Tennessee once before, in 2021, with Tennessee beating USF 53-49.
The Bulls have never advanced past the tournament’s second round, but they think they have the team this season that can take them on a deep tournament run.
So, what must USF do to take down Tennessee Friday night in Columbus?
Play good perimeter defense. The Bulls were excellent in the AAC tournament, holding opponents to 16.7 percent shooting from three-point range.
The Lady Vols attempt 31 three-point shots per game. Perimeter defense will be crucial.
The Bulls will also have to be able to handle the Lady Vols’ press. With Tennessee’s defense forcing 22 turnovers a game, handling the pressure and keeping the turnovers to a minimum will be key to a USF win.
The winner of this game will play the winner of the Ohio State/Montana State game in the second round.