> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2025 South Florida Men's Basketball Preview - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/2025-south-florida-mens-basketball/ - Published: 2025-10-31T13:05:58.000Z - Updated: 2025-10-31T13:05:58.000Z - Description: Bulls Basketball Returns With Fresh Start Under Head Coach Bryan Hodgson - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 TAMPA — South Florida Bulls basketball is back Monday, Nov. 3, against the Florida A&M Rattlers. USF enters the season coming off a tumultuous 13-19 campaign that few could fault them for. The Bulls dealt with the tragic and sudden passing of head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim just weeks before the season began. It was a valiant effort from the players and staff to even go out and compete. The team still delivered big moments, including Jayden Reid’s buzzer-beater to beat Wright State at the Myrtle Beach Invitational and a double-overtime home win over Temple in a game honoring Abdur-Rahim. But on the court, the Bulls never found an identity. That led to the program parting ways with interim head coach Ben Fletcher and hiring Bryan Hodgson, who won 20-plus games in both his seasons leading Arkansas State. The Red Wolves went 25-11 last year and won the Sun Belt regular-season title. This year’s Bulls will look drastically different, with sophomore guard C.J. Brown and senior forward De’Ante Green the only returners. That means 13 new faces in the locker room. So, what can USF fans expect from the new coaching staff? Who are the new players? And can Bulls basketball get back to being fun — and winning — again? Let’s dive in. --- **What Hodgson and His Staff Bring to the Table** Before taking his first head coaching job at Arkansas State, Hodgson served as an assistant at Buffalo (2015–19) and Alabama (2019–23), working under Nate Oats at both stops. Hodgson’s philosophies closely mirror Oats’. USF has even adopted a postgame “hard hat” tradition — awarded to the player who makes the most blue-collar plays such as deflections, dives for loose balls or solid screens. While his team’s mentality are centered around toughness on offense Hodgson’s trademark is an up-tempo, high-flying offense. Pace will be a huge difference for this year’s Bulls. Last season, Arkansas State attempted 2,313 field goals — eighth-most in the nation. USF attempted just 1,899, ranking 202nd. The Red Wolves launched 1,044 3-pointers (seventh-most) but hit only 32.5%, which ranked 269th. Hodgson’s system emphasizes layups and 3-pointers — a potential shock for old-school fans. Despite their poor shooting, the Red Wolves were relentless on the glass, ranking ninth nationally with 481 offensive rebounds and grabbing boards on more than 20% of their shots. Pace, 3-point shooting and offensive rebounding define Hodgson’s system, and Bulls fans should expect to see plenty of points — a welcome change after USF ranked 155th nationally in scoring last season. Defensively, Arkansas State held opponents to 40.5% shooting (25th nationally) and 30.2% from 3 (17th). Hodgson’s teams aim to win the 3-point battle while running opponents out of the gym. They outscored teams by 2.3 points per game in the second half last season. --- **Do the Bulls Have the Roster to Succeed?** Hodgson’s style is enticing, but his recruiting and player development sealed the deal for athletic director Michael Kelly and staff. In 2022, 247Sports ranked Hodgson the No. 1 recruiter in the SEC and No. 2 overall nationally. Alabama’s classes were ranked in the top 15 every year he was there, and Arkansas State had the nation’s 35th-ranked class before he left for USF. Hodgson immediately went to work, assembling the best recruiting class in the American Athletic Conference and No. 29 overall. The 2025 Bulls feature a mix of talented freshmen and experienced veterans. --- **Meet the Guards** USF lists seven guards on the roster. **C.J. Brown**, the lone returning guard, was one of the team’s most exciting players last year as a 4-star recruit. A three-time AAC Freshman of the Week, Brown started every conference game and scored in double figures six times. He initially entered the transfer portal but chose to return. Brown showed the ability to be effective in multiple facets of the game during his promising freshman season. **Xavier Brown**, a senior point guard, brings stability to USF’s fast-paced offense. He posted 85 assists to 39 turnovers and led James Madison with 46 steals. Ironically, one of his best games came against Hodgson’s Arkansas State team in the 2024 Sun Belt championship, when he tallied 21 points and 10 rebounds to help punch JMU’s ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Look for Brown to stir the straw in USF’s high paced drink. **Devin Haid**, a senior transfer from Central Connecticut State, averaged 14.2 points per game, earning second-team All-NEC honors while helping the Blue Devils reach their conference title game. He brings valuable experience to USF’s guard group. **Josh Omojafo**, a senior from Robert Morris, scored in double figures 20 times last season and has eclipsed 1,000 career points. He helped the Colonials reach the NCAA Tournament and scored 12 points in a competitive 90-81 loss to Alabama. Omojafo is an uber athletic and big wing that can be wreak havoc on both sides of the floor. **Joseph Pinion**, another senior, followed Hodgson from Arkansas State. He shot 36% from 3 on 6.6 attempts per game — and could see an even larger role this year as defenses collapse on USF’s drivers. **Wes Enis**, a junior transfer from Division II Lincoln Memorial, averaged 20.2 points per game last year, ranking 36th nationally across all divisions. D-II players making the jump have become more common in the portal era — and Enis’ scoring touch could translate immediately. **Freshmen guards Gavin Hightower and Adriel Nyorha** — 4- and 3-star recruits, respectively — could provide an early spark and grow into key pieces of Hodgson’s program. --- **Meet the Forwards** **De’Ante Green**, the lone returning forward, suffered a season-ending foot injury in February and is expected to miss most, if not all of the season. The athletic senior averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds last year. His energy off the bench could provide a valuable spark as the team looks to gel together. **Isaiah Jones**, a senior transfer from Oakland, is a versatile “glue guy” who averaged 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. **Daimion Collins**, another senior, is the most high-profile addition. A former 5-star recruit, he played two seasons at Kentucky and two at LSU, starting 22 games last year while averaging 8 points on 58.1% shooting. He started just 2 games his previous three collegiate seasons. Collins was named to the preseason All-AAC Second Team. His high-end potential is a key storyline for the Bulls this year. **Izaiyah Nelson**, also a senior and Arkansas State transfer, is the tallest Bull and earned third-team All-Sun Belt honors last year after averaging 10.6 points and 8.9 rebounds. His 3.2 offensive boards per game ranked 29th nationally. He was also named to the preseason All-AAC Second Team. Freshmen **Caleb Sanders**, **Tristan Beckford** and **Onyx Nnani** round out the frontcourt. Sanders, a 3-star recruit from North Tampa Christian Academy, joins Beckford and Nnani, both 3-star players from Canada. Hodgson has long recruited Canadian talent, and all three initially committed to him at Arkansas State before following him to Tampa. Notably, USF does not list a true center on the roster. Hodgson plans to play without a traditional post, relying instead on size, speed and versatility — a stark contrast to last year’s offense built around big man Jamille Reynolds. --- **What This Team Will Do Well** There’s plenty for Bulls fans to be excited about. The backcourt features a balanced mix of creators, scorers and defenders suited for Hodgson’s up-tempo system. The depth should help USF maintain pace even with foul trouble or fatigue. Offensively, expect guards to attack downhill and generate open looks from paint touches. Defensively, the team’s quickness and length should make them disruptive. USF has numerous options of players who can generate paint touches with dribble drives. The frontcourt’s athleticism also fits Hodgson’s system — look for bigs to run the floor, seal defenders and crash the glass. Nelson and Collins could form a powerful duo, while the roster’s switchability on ball screens gives USF an edge in today’s pick-and-roll-heavy game. Fans should be treated to an exciting, fast-paced brand of basketball — one that could translate into plenty of wins. --- **Where the Bulls Could Struggle** This isn’t a perfect roster. The biggest question is chemistry. Thirteen of the 15 players are new to the program. While the Arkansas State transfers bring some familiarity, it’s still massive turnover. Other transfer-heavy teams have struggled to gel — last year’s Indiana Hoosiers being one example. If the Bulls lack cohesion early, turnovers could pile up in Hodgson’s fast-paced system. Frontcourt depth is another concern. Collins and Nelson form a strong starting duo, but foul trouble could force USF into small-ball lineups or freshman minutes. The lack of a true post presence might become an Achilles’ heel. Three-point shooting could also be a weakness. The Bulls will take plenty of shots from deep, but efficiency will matter. Outside of Pinion, proven knockdown shooters are scarce. Still, player development and promising freshmen could address many of these issues as the season progresses. --- **The Bottom Line** Bulls fans should be optimistic about 2025\. Hodgson brings an exciting style, a winning pedigree and a deep roster of talented newcomers. USF was picked to finish second in the preseason American standings, and time will tell if they can live up to that projection. The Bulls will be tested early with a strong nonconference slate that includes the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament — featuring a matchup with VCU and potential games against Vanderbilt and Saint Mary’s — plus road trips to Oklahoma State and Alabama. Bulls basketball returns next week. Get ready for an exciting season — and plenty of coverage all year long.