A New Era Under Coach Mack
The upcoming 2026‑27 men’s basketball schedule was recently unveiled, revealing an 18‑game conference slate that includes six opponents contested twice and six faced once. South Florida will host North Texas, Rice and UAB at home while traveling to ECU, Tulane and UTSA for road matchups.
The Bulls enter the season riding the momentum of a 15‑3 record in the 2025‑26 American Conference campaign, a feat that secured the program’s first regular‑season title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. Their triumph also earned the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament and a championship‑game victory over Wichita State.
Leading the charge is Chris Mack, who was appointed head coach in March 2026. Mack brings a proven track record of success, having guided College of Charleston to two 20‑win seasons and accumulating over 300 career wins with nine NCAA Tournament appearances.
Mack’s first roster overhaul features 15 new faces, including 12 transfers from the portal and three high‑school signees. Four of those newcomers earned four‑star ratings from 247Sports, and the group’s average rating of 89.00 placed the class among the top ten for Group of 6 programs nationwide.
The Bulls will meet a mix of familiar foes twice, including Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Memphis, Temple, Tulsa and Wichita State, while also battling North Texas, Rice and UAB on home court. The schedule’s balance of home and away contests sets the stage for a competitive push toward another conference title.
Home games will be played at the 10,400‑seat Yuengling Center on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus, a venue that has witnessed historic moments, including the program’s recent championship celebrations.
The team’s rich history is further highlighted by the retirement of jerseys belonging to former stars Chucky Atkins, Charlie Bradley and Rodenko Dobras, all of whom are enshrined in the USF Athletic Hall of Fame. Additionally, former coaches Amir Abdur‑Rahim and Bobby Paschal also call the Hall of Fame home, underscoring a legacy of excellence that the current squad hopes to extend.