A New Chapter in Chicago‑Tampa Rivalry
DePaul University has announced a home‑and‑home basketball series with the University of South Florida for the 2026‑27 season, marking the first meeting between the programs since the 2019 College Basketball Invitational Finals.
The opening contest will be played at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on November 5, 2026, before the two teams travel to Tampa for the second leg sometime during the 2027 calendar year.
South Florida arrives as a program on the rise, having captured the American Conference Championship in 2026 and securing an NCAA Tournament berth with a 25‑9 record. The Bulls will be guided by Chris Mack, who begins his first season as head coach after a distinguished tenure at Xavier and the College of Charleston.
Mack’s coaching résumé includes five seasons at Xavier, where he led the Musketeers to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a 2017 Elite Eight run, as well as two successful years at the College of Charleston marked by back‑to‑back 20‑win campaigns.
A Matchup Steeped in History
DePaul holds a 16‑14 edge in the all‑time series, including a 9‑6 advantage when games are staged in Chicago, a fact that adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming home‑and‑home.
Both coaches bring extensive BIG EAST experience to the series, with Chris Holtmann and Chris Mack having faced each other eight times previously, a statistic that underscores the personal stakes of the matchup.