AAC Preview: #10 South Florida Bulls

2013-14 Season Results: 12-20 overall, 3-15 conference record. 10th in the AAC, 68-72 loss to Rutgers in the first round of the AAC Tournament.

Key Losses: Victor Rudd (graduation), Martino Brock (graduation), John Egbunu (transfer to Florida), Musa Abdul-Aleem (graduation), Zack DeLay (transfer to Virginia Tech).

Key Returners: Corey Allen, Chris Perry, Anthony Collins.

2014 Recruiting Class: Troy Holston (3-stars, #51 SG according to ESPN), Dinero Mercurius (2-star, SG), Ruben Guerrero (PF), Nehemias Morillo, Justin David, Jaleel Cousins (all JuCo).

It was a tough first season for South Florida in the AAC last year, winning only 3 conference games en route to a 12-20 overall record. It doesn’t help that the Bulls are losing nine players from last season’s roster – three of them to graduation with the other six choosing to transfer. It will be an uphill battle for first year head coach Orlando Antigua, but the good news is that three of South Florida’s top six scorers from last season are returning while key newcomer, freshman SG Troy Holston, looks to make an immediate impact for the Bulls.

More from AAC

New head coach Orlando Antigua, the former Kentucky assistant, takes over for Stan Heath, who was fired in March after seven season with South Florida. This will be Antigua’s first head coaching job after serving under John Calipari for the past six seasons at Memphis and Kentucky. Antigua also served as director of basketball operations and as an assistant coach under Jamie Dixon at Pitt, Antigua’s alma mater, from 2003-2008. Antigua brings with him former Kentucky assistant coach Rod Strickland, former Ole Miss assistant coach Sergio Rouco and his younger brother, former Seton Hall assistant coach Oliver Antigua.

If there’s not much to say about South Florida’s three wins in AAC conference play last season, that’s because there really isn’t – especially considering that this upcoming season will feature all but three players that saw significant playing time last season. There is a lot of excitement around the Bulls, though, and it is mainly due to new head coach Orlando Antigua. Rated the top assistant coach in the nation under 40 by ESPN in 2012, Antigua is widely considered to be one of the top recruiters in the nation. Not convinced? Keep in mind that while John Calipari gets all the credit for Kentucky’s stellar recruiting classes during his tenure there, it’s been Antigua that’s been laying the groundwork for the Wildcats’ success. Still not convinced? The guy played seven years for the Harlem Globetrotters between 1995-2002, going by the nickname “Hurricane.” How many Division I head college basketball coaches have played for the Globetrotters? Yeah, just the one. Oh, and by the way, Orlando’s brother Oliver compiled the no. 12 recruiting class in the nation – no. 1 in the Big East – for 2014 while at Seton Hall. I’d say that’s a lot to be excited about for South Florida, despite their 12-win season last year.

Live Feed

Nick Saban has worrisome comment on Alabama’s OL after USF scare /

FanSided

#10 Alabama football: 3 takeaways from close road win against USFSaturday Blitz

Why is Alabama playing at South Florida this week?FanSided

College Football Betting Trends to Know in Week 3: Bet this Alabama Trend After Loss to TexasBetsided

College Football Picks Against the Spread for Every Top 25 Game in Week 3Betsided

Alabama vs. South Florida Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 3Betsided

Now, South Florida does not have a basketball pedigree like Kentucky. There’s no blue chip talent in place for the Bulls to rely on – yet. Antigua’s first season with the Bulls is definitely going to be a rocky one as he sets his program in place. While they may not finish dead last in the AAC next season, I wouldn’t expect South Florida to be competing for the conference title any time soon. As well, the AAC is adding new teams in East Carolina, Tulane and Tulsa, so it’s difficult to say just how the conference will play out.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see South Florida to knock off a conference power such as Connecticut, Cincinnati or Southern Methodist this upcoming season. The bright spots, however, will be few in far between for the Bulls as they enter into a big rebuilding year under new head coach Orlando Antigua.

Projected Finish: 10th