USF men's basketball was a hot ticket last year and now it's even hotter

For much of their history, fans wishing to take in a USF men’s basketball game didn’t have to worry about getting tickets in advance. On most nights it was easy to stroll up to the ticket window five minutes before tipoff and score good seats.

Here’s a memo to those fans: things have changed. After a decade of generally bland seasons, excitement for USF basketball last season was at levels rarely seen on Fowler Avenue and it doesn’t seem to have waned as the new season approaches.

If anything, it has increased in ways never before seen in this program.

Want proof?

The Bulls announced that the lower bowl and premium seating at the Yuengling Center has sold out for the first time in program history. Upper-level seats are available.

USF is coming off its first regular-season American Athletic Conference championship in school history. First-year coach Amir Abdur-Rahim led the Bulls to 25 wins, the most in USF history. That total included a 15-game winning streak and a school-record 16 conference wins.

The Bulls also sold out their final three home games last season. It might have taken long-time USF fans by surprise, but it also showed that the Yuengling Center can be a true home-court advantage for the Bulls as students packed their section and turned the place into a rocking environment.

The new season is approaching fast.

The Bulls open with a game in Jacksonville against the Florida Gators on November 4 before the home-opener on November 12 against Arkansas Pine-Bluff.  That’s the first of 15 home games for USF, including nine in AAC play.

Abdur-Rahim was named the AAC’s Coach of the Year and was given a contract extension through the 2029-30 season as recognition of his accomplishment.

He will join USF women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez at the AAC basketball media days on October 13-14 in Irving, Texas.