If predictions from the American Conference men's and women's basketball coaches hold true, the upcoming season could be a memorable one for both of USF's teams.
The women's team was selected as the top team in the conference for the sixth consecutive year, while the men, under first-year head coach Bryan Hodgson, were picked to finish second.
Also, senior forward Carla Brito was named the American Preseason Player of the Year and was unanimously selected for the Preseason All-Conference First Team. Graduate forward L’or Mputu joined Brito on the first team, giving the Bulls three of the league's top preseason selections entering the 2025–26 campaign.
The women received 11 of 13 first-place votes for 143 points in the poll. UTSA followed in second place with one first-place vote and 119 total points. Rice got one first-place vote with 113 points to take the third spot.
The Bulls are defending the American tournament champions and advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season. Head coach Jose Fernandez is entering his 26th season as the Bulls head coach.
The men's team appears poised for a significant rebound after a tumultuous season in 2024-25 following the death of head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim shortly before the season began.
Under interim coach Ben Fletcher, the Bulls struggled to a 13-19 record, which prompted the search for a permanent coach immediately after the season ended. Eleven days later, Hodgson was hired after leading Arkansas State to a 25-11 record that included wins over Memphis and UAB.
Hodgson engineered a nearly complete overhaul of the roster. The Bulls have 13 new players, including 3 new players, including preseason all-conference second-team selections Daimion Collins and Izaiyah Nelson.
Collins is a transfer from LSU, while Nelson came with Hodgson from Arkansas State.
The Bulls' incoming recruiting class was ranked 29th nationally by On3's composite ratings.
USF received two first-place votes in the poll and trailed only first-place Memphis. Tulane, Wichita State, and UAB followed the Bulls in order.
Both the men's and women's teams begin the season at home on November 3 with a doubleheader. The women open at 6 p.m. against FIU, while the men begins the new season at 8 p.m. against Florida A&M.