USF men’s basketball fans are a hearty lot. They have endured a great deal over the years (remember Orlando Antigua?), but hope springs eternal.
Amir Abdur-Rahim showed what this program could be. The Yuengling Center, too often a place where the motto was “Good Seats Are Still Available,” was a rocking, socking, genuine home court advantage in his one year with the Bulls.
Now, new coach Brian Hodgson is building on Coach Amir’s sterling work. We already knew Hodgson brought in several key players from his powerful Arkansas State team last season, along with players from other schools.
But wait, there’s more!
Get a load of this short piece by David Cobb of CBS Sports about the recent FIBA U-19 basketball tournament. It was under the headline that “South Florida’s AAC peers may be in trouble.”
He was impressed with three players from Canada’s team in the internal tournament who will wear green and gold in this upcoming season.
“The only team to truly push the United States deep into the second half of a game was Canada, which fell 108-102 to the Americans in the quarterfinals. A trio of South Florida signees contributed 39 points to the Canadian effort, led by 16 from wing Tristan Beckford. Combo guard Adriel Nyorha added 15 points, six assists and six rebounds, while big man Onyx Nnani came off the bench with eight points, two rebounds and two assists,” he wrote.
“None of the three were top-100 prospects in the Class of 2025, but they rose to the challenge against a bevy of highly touted American players. If the three future USF Bulls looked that comfortable on the floor against a team of future NBA Draft picks, they'll be just fine in the AAC. First-year South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson has a strong squad, and the FIBA U19 World Cup suggested his freshman class is going to make it even stronger.”
Tristan Beckford : 16 points (6-9 shooting, 2-5 from 3 & 2-3 from the FT line), 6 rebounds & 3 assists in 27 minutes pic.twitter.com/KHE9NWuDFX
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) July 4, 2025
247 Sports ranked USF’s composite recruiting class of transfers and prep recruits No. 29 in the nation. That’s ahead of defending national champion Florida (36), and the prep recruits are easily tops on the AAC rankings.
It’s only July, and there is a football season coming soon that should be exciting. But here’s a word to the wise: if you want to watch men’s basketball this season, better plan ahead.
Good seats may not always be available.