This week marked one year since the USF men’s basketball team celebrated its first regular-season conference championship at the Yuengling Center after beating Tulane.
The Bulls had clinched the title with a win at Charlotte before coming home. However, they wanted to let the sellout crowd of 10,354 experience the joy of the moment, and they did it in style on March 5, 2024.
After the Tulane game ended, a school-record 15th straight win for the Bulls, there was a massive confetti dump, followed by cutting down the nets. It was a surreal moment for a program that had struggled for many years.
Thank You, Seniors.#HornsUp 🤘 | #EDGE pic.twitter.com/YO0DDNfwZd
— USF Men's Basketball (@USFMBB) March 5, 2024
The joy was short-lived, however, with the death of head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim shortly before he was to begin his second season at USF. The Bulls are 13-17 and 6-10 in the American Athletic Conference.
They close out the regular season Friday at Memphis with a 9 p.m. on ESPN2.
As disappointing as this season has become, last year proved what this program can be – and hopefully will be again.
Sardja earns AAC softball honor
Right-hander Belle Sardja was named the AAC Pitcher of the Week.
Sardja earned two wins while at the Longhorn Invitational in Austin, Texas.
In 14.1 innings, she allowed one run and nine hits and struck out 11 batters. She held her opponents to a .176 batting average.
In 2.1 innings against the No. 1 Longhorns, she held them scoreless while striking out three. Belle pitched her second complete game of the season against Alabama A&M, holding the Bulldogs to one run.
The Bulls are 17-7 and are 48th nationally in the NCAA College Softball RPI, behind AAC members Florida Atlantic (39th) and North Texas (45th).
They open AAC play at home on Friday against UAB in the first of a three-game series.
Harding Harper joins USF football
USF made a key recruiting hire for its football program, adding Harding Harper as executive director of recruiting and personnel.
"We're excited to welcome Harding to the USF family," Bulls coach Alex Golesh said.
"He has experience at several high-level programs and possesses the leadership qualities to continue to build our recruiting efforts. He is an elite addition to our staff as we continue to build a roster to compete with anyone in the country."
Harper was a linebacker at Vanderbilt (2012-15). Harper then joined the programs at Alabama, Colorado, Houston, and his alma mater.
He was the assistant director of player personnel at Alabama, where he helped the Crimson Tide secure the nation's No. 2 recruiting class in December 2023. He also had various scouting and recruiting positions at the other programs.
Baseball’s Sebastian Greico off to a hot start
The senior first baseman for the Bulls has a team-leading .344 batting average so far this season, including five home runs and 16 RBI in 10 games.
He is followed closely by senior Marcus Brodil at .333 with 10 runs scored in 11 games. Junior Ryan Pruitt is at .306 with a pair of homers and 11 RBI.
The Bulls (6-5) entertain Villanova in a starting Friday.
He is followed closely by senior Marcus Brodil at .333 with 10 runs scored in 11 games. Junior Ryan Pruitt is at .306 with a pair of homers and 11 RBI.
The Bulls (6-5) entertain Villanova in a three-game series starting Friday.