The second edition of the Love Wins Classic will bring together the South Florida Bulls and the Kennesaw State Owls on December 19, 2026, in a matchup that blends competition with remembrance. The game is scheduled to be played at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, where the student section bears the name of the late coach Amir Abdur‑Rahim, a tribute that underscores his enduring influence on the campus community.
A Legacy That Lives On
Abdur‑Rahim, who passed away on October 24, 2024, at the age of 43, guided the South Florida Bulls to a program‑record 25 wins and their first Top 25 ranking during the 2023‑24 season. He also led the Kennesaw State Owls to their first winning season, captured the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament title, and earned the program’s inaugural NCAA Tournament berth. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2025 and the American Conference named him the honorary 2024‑25 Coach of the Year, establishing the Amir Abdur‑Rahim Sportsmanship Award in his honor.
The venue’s naming of the student section after Abdur‑Rahim serves as a daily reminder of his impact, turning the arena into a living memorial that unites current players with the legacy of a coach who championed both excellence and character.
Roster Overhauls and Coaching Shifts
South Florida enters the 2026‑27 season under new head coach Chris Mack, who has overseen a sweeping rebuild of the roster. The Bulls welcomed 15 new players, including 12 transfer portal additions and three high‑school signees, while returning none of the 2025‑26 squad that finished 25‑9 and captured the American Conference title. The incoming transfer class boasts four athletes with a composite rating of .9100 or higher, and the team’s average transfer rating of 89.00 ranks third among Group of 6 programs, reflecting a recruiting class that 247Sports places among the top ten nationally for that cohort.
Kennesaw State, fresh off a 21‑14 record in 2025‑26 and a Conference USA Tournament championship that secured an NCAA Tournament berth, will travel to face South Florida as part of a non‑conference slate that also includes games at DePaul on November 5, 2026, and at Dayton on December 12, 2026. The Owls’ recent success illustrates the program’s upward trajectory under Abdur‑Rahim’s guidance, a trajectory that continues to inspire recruits and fans alike.
As the two schools prepare to meet, the Love Wins Classic stands not only as a showcase of future talent but also as a poignant reminder that the spirit of Amir Abdur‑Rahim continues to shape the culture of college basketball in the region.