South Florida Basketball: Previewing the 2018-19 season for the Bulls

By Bryan Mauro | Sep 25, 2018

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: The head coach Brian Gregory of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reacts against Villanova Wildcats during the NIT Season Tip-Off Championship game at Barclays Center on November 27, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

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WICHITA, KS – JANUARY 07: Shaquille Morris #24 of the Wichita State Shockers scores a basket over Nikola Scekic #41 of the South Florida Bulls during the first half on January 7, 2018 at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Key Reserves

Mayan Kiir – Redshirt Freshman

The forward is yet another transfer for coach Gregory. Kiir made his way to Tampa after playing one season at LSU. The freshman forward only played in 8 games while on campus at LSU. He never was able to grasp the offensive concepts. His lack of minutes meant lack of production. Kiir is a good rebounder and offensive player. He can score from anywhere on the floor and likes to spread teams out. He is a complete wildcard for the Bulls as no one knows how much production to expect from him. If he shows he can be productive and gives the Bulls a lift he will enter the starting lineup sooner than later.

Antun Maricevic – Junior

The big man from Croatia arrives at South Florida from Casper Junior College in Wyoming. Maricevic only played for Casper for on season, but it was a productive season. He averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds per contest. His skill set to score baskets around the rim and rebound could be exactly what is missing for the South Florida offense to take the next step. Maricevic is deadly from the free throw line, and his style of play and big body allow him to take a lot of fouls. The big man is going to press the incumbent big man Scekic for minutes early. Maricevic will be a starter by the years end as he possesses a skill set that is going to make the Bulls better overall. The junior chose South Florida over an offer from Nebraska.

Alexis Yetna – Sophomore

Yetna is another foreign-born player on the roster for the Bulls. He’s from Paris France, and while on the roster a season ago was not able to play per an NCAA ruling. The sophomore forward is now cleared to play in Tampa. Coach Gregory is going to love Yetna. He is a strong kid who turned heads on the Adidas Gauntlet in 2017. He averaged a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. It is hard to project how Yetna will fit into the rotation for the Bulls, but initially it may be just for defense and rebounding. The forward was also on the FIBA under 17 France team, so he is not a stranger to playing the best players in the world.

Xavier Castaneda – Freshman

The freshman guard enters the season as the backup point guard to Rideau. He played his high school basketball at Chicago Public League powerhouse Whitney Young. Castaneda is a pass-first point guard who has a penchant for creating offense. He does not often turn the ball over. He averaged eight points and five assists per game while playing on the Nike EYBL summer tour. Castaneda is in a great position his first season as he is going to get a chance to learn behind the teams best player and stat stuffer like Rideau. The Bulls are going to show many teams a look with Castaneda, Rideau and Collins on the floor at the same time.