AAC Basketball: Breaking down the stars on each team in the conference

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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 22: Javontae Hawkins (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

South Florida Bulls – SO Tulio Da Silva

South Florida is in a tough spot right now. Since joining the AAC in 2013-14, they are just 11-61 in conference play. That is just downright bad. Last season was their worst, though, as the Bulls won just one game in conference play.

Just a freshman last season, Tulio Da Silva averaged 9.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. This season, he could easily be the primary scoring option for the team that will likely struggle in conference play. Da Silva has the chance to progress as the star player for the next three seasons.

At 6’8″, Da Silva has the size to be a very tough cover in the AAC. In addition to his scoring, he is an aggressive rebounder. In fact, he holds the USF freshman record for rebounds in a season. Still, he will need to take a major step up in production for South Florida to have a good season.

It does not seem likely that South Florida will take a major jump from 2016-17 to this year, but even winning two conference games would double their output from a season ago. Here’s to hoping that Da Silva can lead the Bulls to a better season this time around.