> ## 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. # Chris Mack and the Bulls look to lay foundation for success with new-look roster in 2026-27 - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/chris-mack-and-the-bulls-look-to/ - Published: 2026-10-14T16:02:51.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T20:13:37.000Z - Description: USF looks to continue its success in men’s basketball despite a new man at the helm. - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44, Men's Hoops When Chris Mack was hired as South Florida men’s basketball head coach, he was sold as not only the coach of the Bulls’ present, but also their future. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/74540299-e065-42aa-aa12-1f38093d606a_4675x3117-jpeg.jpg) Vanessa Wenzl | The Bay Area Examiner Mack is hoping his 2026-27 squad can lay the foundation for what will be a successful tenure in Tampa Bay. “We want to have an attacking style from defense to offense,” Mack said about this year’s team. “We’re going to compete to win every game and let the chips fall where they may.” Mack knows a thing or two about building a successful program. He has a career record of 323-153 in his 15 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Mack has spent time as a head coach at Xavier, Louisville, and Charleston before landing in Tampa Bay this offseason. Mack has led his teams to 12 seasons of 20 or more wins during his career. He has made the NCAA Tournament nine times as a head coach. He led Xavier to a No. 1 seed in 2018 and Louisville to an AP No. 1 ranking in 2019. The Bulls will head into the 2026-27 season on the heels of one of the most successful seasons in school history. USF won both the regular-season and conference tournament titles for the first time in program history and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012. The catch? Last year’s team was led by head coach Bryan Hodgson, who is now the head coach at Providence. The Bulls also welcomed 14 new players to their roster this offseason. USF’s only returning player from last season’s team is fifth-year senior Josh Omojafo. Last season, Omojafo started 32 of USF’s 34 games, averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. “Everybody I talked to that was here a year ago at USF said nothing but great things about Josh: His work ethic, his talent level, his character, they loved him,” Mack said. “Josh is a warrior.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/a9/77a9bb8f-d0f1-45b5-8fed-5feacd465ef5/content/images/2026/10/1be3b7f5-31f8-4b56-86e2-ed79aab2a381_3811x2541-jpeg.jpg) Vanessa Wenzl | The Bay Area Examiner The highest-touted transfer Mack’s staff brought in this season is senior Toledo transfer guard Sonny Wilson. Last season, Wilson averaged 17 points and 4.6 assists per game en route to second-team All-MAC honors. In 2024-25, Wilson earned third-team All-MAC honors. “Sonny is the engine that makes us go,” Mack said about Wilson. Mack also added that he thinks Wilson is one of the fastest point guards in both the American Conference and the entire country. Wilson’s 2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio last season ranked second in the MAC and 34th nationally. Wilson’s strong track record helped him earn a preseason first-team All-American Conference nod. Mack also provided injury updates on two Bulls. Senior Coastal Carolina transfer guard A.J. Dancler will miss the entire season with a knee injury. Mack said Dancler came to the program with an existing injury and that the knee issue arose during his rehabilitation process. Mack said he did not even get to see Dancler practice with the team. Mack also said he expects sophomore forward Joshua Lewis to play this season. Lewis suffered a torn patellar tendon in his knee in January. The former four-star recruit from Blake High School in Tampa was averaging 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game with Louisiana before going down with the injury. Mack said Lewis has returned to the practice floor but is still “catching up” because of the time he missed due to the knee injury. Another potential key contributor for the Bulls this season is graduate guard Mike James. He is reuniting with Mack in Tampa Bay. James committed to Mack but did not play a game with him in 2021 at Louisville because of a preseason Achilles injury. James played two seasons with the Cardinals after Mack was dismissed from the program. He has spent time at NC State and Vanderbilt over the past two seasons. James brings 86 games and 64 starts to Tampa Bay. James said the Bulls are “all on the same page” in terms of mentality and desire to win in 2026-27\. The grizzled veteran said he has not had to correct a lack of focus or effort throughout the team’s practices in the summer and fall. This season could prove how strong USF’s men’s basketball program truly is. The Bulls have won two of the last three American Conference regular-season titles with two different coaches. USF was picked to finish third in the American Conference preseason poll behind Wichita State and Memphis. “I really think our team has the making to be a relentless team on both ends of the floor and that’s what we’re aiming to be,” Mack said about the team identity he hopes to establish this season. USF will begin the season in a little under three weeks, on Nov. 2, at the Yuengling Center against Charleston Southern.