South Florida Bulls
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #72
Conference Rank: #6 American
In their second season under Brian Gregory, South Florida won 24 games, their most in a single season since 2011-12. That 2012 season was also the last time the Bulls made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulls weren’t an NCAA Tournament team last year, but they did go on to win the CBI Tournament. This year, South Florida returns all but one rotation player from last season including all five starters. The arrow is pointing up for the Bulls and the next step is an NCAA Tournament appearance.
2018-19 Record: 24-14, 8-10
2018-19 Postseason: CBI
Coach: Brian Gregory
Coach Record: 34-36 at South Florida, 282-216 overall
Key Departed Players:
TJ Lang, Forward, 5.7 ppg
TJ Lang, Forward, 5.7 ppg
Key Returning Players:
David Collins, Junior, Guard, 15.9 ppg
Laquincy Rideau, Senior, Guard, 13.4 ppg
Alexis Yetna, Sophomore, Forward, 12.3 ppg
Justin Brown, Junior, Forward, 8.3 ppg
Michael Durr, Sophomore, Center, 5.7 ppg
Mayan Kiir, Junior, Forward, 4.7 ppg
Xavier Castaneda, Sophomore, Guard, 4.3 ppg
Antun Maricevic, Senior, Center, 3.5 ppg
Rashun Williams, Sophomore, Guard, 2.1 ppg
David Collins, Junior, Guard, 15.9 ppg
Laquincy Rideau, Senior, Guard, 13.4 ppg
Alexis Yetna, Sophomore, Forward, 12.3 ppg
Justin Brown, Junior, Forward, 8.3 ppg
Michael Durr, Sophomore, Center, 5.7 ppg
Mayan Kiir, Junior, Forward, 4.7 ppg
Xavier Castaneda, Sophomore, Guard, 4.3 ppg
Antun Maricevic, Senior, Center, 3.5 ppg
Rashun Williams, Sophomore, Guard, 2.1 ppg
Key New Players:
Madut Akec, Freshman, Forward
Jamir Chaplin, Freshman, Guard
Jamir Chaplin, Freshman, Guard
Zack Dawson, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Oklahoma State
B.J. Mack, Freshman, Center
B.J. Mack, Freshman, Center
Projection:
South Florida has all five starters and nine of their top ten scorers back from last season. David Collins had a tremendous sophomore season and earned All-AAC Third Team honors behind 15.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Collins’ scoring, free-throws and steals numbers were all top-ten in school history. Collins has a strong chance to become a first team all-conference player and could even be in the mix to be an All-American. Laquincy Rideau flourished in his first season with the Bulls and was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year. He led the conference in both steals (2.9) and assists (5.4) per game while also adding 13.4 points and 3.7 rebounds. Rideau also should be in the running for an all-conference spot this season. Alexis Yetna had a strong first collegiate season earning a spot on the AAC All-Freshman Team. Yetna averaged 12.3 points and 9.6 rebounds, the latter being a conference and school record for a freshman. Justin Brown started the final 29 games of the year and was the team’s top three-point shooter. He made 1.7 threes per game on 35.9% shooting from deep. Michael Durr started 37 games at center as a true freshman. Durr averaged 5.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. The Bulls will have one of the most experienced and talented starting five in the AAC, but their depth is strong as well. Mayan Kiir, Xavier Castaneda and Antun Maricevic all return after each played in all 38 games last season. Rashun Williams is also back after appearing in 16 games as a freshman. The Bulls will also welcome Zack Dawson to the team as a transfer from Oklahoma State. Dawson is a former four-star recruit who played in just five games as a freshman. Lastly, South Florida has three true freshmen joining the roster. It has been a while since South Florida basketball was relevant, but there is excitement around this year’s team with good reason. The Bulls have a deep, talented and experienced team that should compete for an NCAA Tournament invitation.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.4 (174th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.2 (60, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.0 (251, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.1 (86, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.2 (233, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.2 (238, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 64.6 (334, 12)
Rebound Margin: 6.7 (14, 2)
Assists Per Game: 13.7 (148, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.9 (336, 12)
