Photo by Alex Felski | The Crow’s Nest
By Dominic Feo
In head coach Bryan Hodgson’s first season with the University of South Florida men’s basketball team, the Bulls are tied for the American Conference’s top seed with Florida Atlantic University, Tulsa and Charlotte. All four teams have gone 6-2 in conference play so far.
Since USF’s 86-85 overtime defeat to Wichita State on Jan. 18, the Bulls have beaten three straight conference opponents (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Florida Atlantic University, Tulane).
USF finished all three games with over 80 points, maintaining its conference lead in points and becoming the only team in the AAC to average over 90 points per game, many of which were from behind the three-point line, thanks to guards Wes Enis and Joesph Pinion.
Photo by Alex Felski | The Crow’s Nest
The pair have made the second (71) and third (69) most three-pointers in the conference, while Enis leads the AAC in three-pointers made per game (3.6).
No one in the AAC has completed a higher percentage of their total shots than forward Izaiyah Nelson. The senior transfer from Arizona State University currently leads the conference (58.6%). USF also leads the AAC in total assists (368) and assists average with 17.52.
USF scoring the tenth most points in NCAA Division One basketball has been necessary, as the team has also allowed the most points defensively in the conference.
The team’s overall defensive ranking does show the whole picture, however, as several Bulls have shined defensively. Forward Daimion Collins has blocked seven shots in his last three outings, five of them during the win against UAB.
Photo by Alex Felski | The Crow’s Nest
Coach Hodgson credits Collins defensive impact to his shared time on the floor with Nelson.
“Our defense is really good when the two of them are out there together,” said coach Hodgson during the press conference against FAU. “When they’re out there defensively, their rim protection is elite. I think you’ll hopefully continue to see more of that.”
While Nelson’s defense has been above average, blocking three shots against Tulane, his rebounding has been at an All-Conference level. Nelson also finished that game with 12 boards and eleven points for his 14th double-double of the season.
USF lost to Temple University 78-79 on Jan. 31, but a win over UTSA on Feb. 4 would set up a rematch against Tulsa that could be the decider for sole ownership of the AAC’s top spot. A conference title would automatically grant USF its fourth NCAA postseason appearance in program history.
