New head coach Chris Mack likes what he sees from his USF basketball team. He likes the energy. He likes the character. He likes the players who will help set the tone.
But he keeps coming back to the same point.
The Bulls have a long way to go.
In my interview with Mack for FL Teams, the USF head coach laid out what he wants from this group. His plan starts with trust, teamwork, and the kind of effort that holds up when the season gets tough.
Tampa fans have plenty to like about that message. The fans want to see a team that plays hard, shares the ball, and gives us a reason to keep coming back. Now comes the work of making that happen.
Building a Team Takes Time
With so many new players learning how Mack wants to play, chemistry is one of the biggest jobs of the preseason.
“The most difficult challenge is the length of time that you have to try to build that chemistry,” Mack said.
He pointed to Chris Davis, who came with him from Charleston, as the one player who already knew the staff’s terms and style of play. The rest of the group has plenty to learn, though. Knowing where a teammate will be, making the right pass, and moving together on defense all take time.
Mack sees a good starting point.
“I think we play with great spirit, great energy, but we’ve got a lot of growing and learning to do,” he said.
That is a fair message for this team. Energy can get the Bulls going. Learning to play together will help them keep going.
Sonny Wilson Has Mack’s Trust
When I asked Mack why Sonny Wilson is the right player to lead his offense, he started with character.
“He is a leader. He’s about the right things,” Mack said. “He’s a guy that I implicitly trust in such a short period of time.”
That trust matters at point guard. Wilson will help set the pace, involve teammates, and make decisions with the ball.
Mack praised Wilson’s assist-to-turnover ratio at Toledo and said his play over the summer showed him why Wilson had been so effective.
“He is an accelerator with the basketball,” Mack said.
The goal is clear: get stops, run the floor and create chances before the defense can get set. Mack believes Wilson can reward teammates who run with layups and open threes. Mack’s strongest praise left little doubt about his confidence.
“I wouldn’t want another point guard in the country,” he said.
Josh Omojafo Brings Toughness
Josh Omojafo gives Mack another player he can lean on as the Bulls build their identity.
Mack values his winning background, his ability to attack the rim, and the pressure he puts on defenders.
“He puts a lot of pressure on the rim. He can be an excellent on-ball defender. He’s a tough kid,” Mack said. “We’re very blessed to have Josh.”
Those skills can matter when an offense hits a rough patch. A player who attacks the basket can draw contact and force a defense to react.
Mack said Omojafo was not with the team in June and July, leaving him with more to learn during the preseason. Still, the coach sees room for steady growth.
“He’s just going to continue to get better and better because he’s a really talented and good player with high character,” Mack said.
For Bulls fans, Omojafo’s toughness is something to watch. Mack wants a team that keeps coming at opponents, and Josh has the tools to do that.
The Style Tampa Fans Should Expect
When I asked what should stand out when fans first see the Bulls, Mack talked about energy and a shared sense of purpose.
“I hope our team has a collective spirit about it, that we’re going to play the right way,” he said.
He wants the Bulls to share the ball, push the pace, and play with effort on both ends. That gives this team a clear goal. Everyone has a job. Everyone has to help.
“I think we have the makings of that, but a long way to go,” Mack said.
“Everyday Guys” Will Set the Standard
My final question was about what USF needs to become a consistent NCAA tournament team. Mack’s answer came back to daily effort.
“We have to have our team filled with everyday guys,” he said.
It is easy to feel good after a win. The harder test comes after a loss, during a tough practice or deep into January and February.
Mack wants players who keep showing up with the same energy, even when things are not going their way.
“If you have everybody bought in and everybody’s an everyday guy, that’s when your program can do something special,” he said.
But the whole group has to keep working.
As a Tampa sports fan, I want to see that effort carry into the Yuengling Center. Give us a team that runs hard, fights for stops, and stays together when a game gets ugly.
Mack likes the start. Now the Bulls have to make that effort a habit.