Andrew Pace
The University of South Florida's men's basketball team, the South Florida Bulls, currently plays in the American Conference, also known as the American Athletic Conference. The team has had a varied history, playing in the Sun Belt Conference, Metro Conference, Conference USA, and the Big East Conference before settling in its current conference. The Bulls have won two conference championships and reached the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament three times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University | University of South Florida |
| Team Name | South Florida Bulls |
| Team Nickname | Bulls |
| Team Colors | Green and Gold |
| Team Mascot | Rocky D. Bull |
| Basketball Team's Home Ground | Yuengling Center |
| Number of Varsity Sports Teams | 20 |
| Number of Men's Varsity Sports Teams | 9 |
| Number of Women's Varsity Sports Teams | 11 |
| Sports Sponsored | Baseball, Basketball (Men's and Women's), Cross Country (Men's and Women's), Football, Golf (Men's and Women's), Lacrosse (Women's), Sailing (Women's), Soccer (Men's and Women's), Softball, Tennis (Men's and Women's), Track and Field (Outdoor and Indoor) (Men's and Women's) |
| Current Basketball Conference | The American Conference |
| Previous Basketball Conferences | Sun Belt Conference, Metro Conference, Conference USA, Big East |
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What You'll Learn
USF basketball's conference history
The USF men's basketball team was founded in 1971 and played their first NCAA Division I season in 1973. They remained independent until 1976 when they became charter members of the Sun Belt Conference. The team's first conference win came in the 1975–76 season.
USF left the Sun Belt Conference for the Metro Conference in 1991–92. In 1995, the Metro Conference merged with the Great Midwest Conference to form Conference USA, which USF joined for the 1995–96 season.
In 2003, USF's sports teams joined Conference USA. However, this was short-lived as they left for the Big East in 2005. Following the Big East Conference realignment in 2013, USF became a charter member of the newly formed American Athletic Conference (now known simply as the American Conference). The USF basketball teams still play in this conference today.
In 2025, USF became an affiliate member of Conference USA in the sport of beach volleyball as the American Conference does not sponsor the sport.
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USF basketball's current conference
The University of South Florida's men's basketball team, the South Florida Bulls, currently plays in the American Conference, also known as the American Athletic Conference. The team has had a storied history, with several conference realignments and changes over the years.
The USF men's basketball team was founded in 1971, marking a significant step in the university's athletic history. In 1973, USF's men's sports joined the NCAA University Division, now known as NCAA Division I. In the same year, USF's women's teams moved to the AIAW Large College Division. The university's athletic programme continued to expand, with the addition of women's basketball, golf, softball, swimming, and volleyball teams.
In 1976, USF became a charter member of the Sun Belt Conference, marking its first-ever conference affiliation. The team's performance improved significantly in the 1989-90 season, and they made their first NCAA tournament appearance. In 1991-92, the Bulls left the Sun Belt Conference and joined the Metro Conference. However, their performance dipped, and they finished with a 2-12 conference record.
Following the merger of the Metro Conference and the Great Midwest Conference, USF joined Conference USA for the 1995-96 season. In 2003, all USF sports, including basketball, joined Conference USA. However, this affiliation was short-lived as the university left to join the Big East Conference in 2005. After the Big East Conference realignment in 2013, USF became a charter member of the newly formed American Athletic Conference, now known simply as the American Conference.
The USF Bulls men's basketball team has achieved notable success, winning two conference championships and reaching the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament three times (1990, 1992, and 2012). They play their home games at the Yuengling Center on USF's campus in Tampa, Florida, which has a capacity of 10,500 seats.
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USF basketball's NCAA Division
The University of South Florida's men's basketball team, the South Florida Bulls, competes in NCAA Division I. The team was founded in 1971 and has had a rich history in college basketball.
USF's men's basketball team made the jump to NCAA Division I in 1973, and the university became a charter member of the Sun Belt Conference in 1976, marking its first-ever conference affiliation. The Bulls have had their fair share of successes, reaching the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament three times (1990, 1992, and 2012) and winning two conference championships. In their inaugural NCAA tournament appearance in 1990, they suffered a hard-fought 79-67 loss to the 2nd seed, Arizona.
The team has experienced several conference realignments over the years. In 1992, they left the Sun Belt Conference for the Metro Conference, and in 1995, following the merger of the Metro Conference and the Great Midwest Conference, they became part of Conference USA. USF's basketball program continued to evolve, and in 2005, the university left Conference USA to join the Big East Conference.
Currently, the South Florida Bulls men's basketball team is a member of the American Conference (formerly known as the American Athletic Conference after the Big East Conference realignment in 2013). The Bulls play their home games at the Yuengling Center on USF's campus in Tampa, Florida, which has a capacity of 10,500 seats.
USF's women's basketball team has also achieved success, winning the Women's National Invitation Tournament in 2009, claiming their first postseason tournament victory.
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USF basketball's performance in conferences
The USF men's basketball team was founded in 1971 and has since competed in several conferences. The team has experienced both successes and setbacks throughout its history, but has nonetheless established itself as a prominent force in college basketball.
In the 1975-76 season, USF recorded their first win at the Bayfront Center under coach Chip Conner, achieving South Florida's best win percentage for a men's basketball season at the time with a 19-8 record. The following year, the team joined the Sun Belt Conference, marking their first-ever conference affiliation. However, their performance in the 1976-77 season took a step backward, as they finished with an overall record of 9-18 and 2-4 in conference games.
USF men's basketball then underwent a transformative period under head coach Bobby Paschal. Despite initial struggles, the team bounced back in the 1989-90 season, becoming one of the few teams in NCAA history to go from 20 losses to 20 wins in a single season. This turnaround led to their first NCAA tournament appearance, where they narrowly lost to second-seed Arizona. In the following years, the team continued to build on their success, securing NIT berths and reaching the NCAA tournament again in 1992.
In 1995, the Metro Conference, of which USF was a part, merged with the Great Midwest Conference to form Conference USA. In their first season in the new conference, USF struggled, finishing with a conference record of 2-12 and an overall record of 12-16. This marked the end of Bobby Paschal's tenure as head coach, leaving a legacy as the USF men's basketball coach with the most wins at the time.
USF's athletic programs underwent significant changes in the early 2010s. The team left Conference USA and joined the Big East Conference in 2005. However, they experienced a challenging first season in their new conference, tallying 20 losses and going 7-22 overall. Despite improvements in the following years, USF's performance in the Big East remained inconsistent.
Following the Big East Conference realignment in 2013, USF became a charter member of the newly formed American Athletic Conference (now known as the American Conference). The USF Bulls men's basketball team continues to compete in this conference today, alongside their membership in NCAA Division I. In 2024, the team achieved a notable milestone by winning their first regular-season conference title under head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim.
Overall, the USF men's basketball team has demonstrated resilience and a capacity for growth throughout its history across various conferences. While they have faced setbacks and coaching changes, they have also achieved remarkable turnarounds and tournament appearances. The team's performance in conferences has been a key aspect of their athletic journey, and they continue to strive for success in the highly competitive landscape of college basketball.
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USF basketball's future conferences
The University of South Florida's men's basketball team has had a varied history of conference participation since its founding in 1971. The team's conference history has been marked by several changes, with the Bulls seeking to find the best fit for their athletic programs.
USF's men's basketball team began its journey in 1976 when it joined its first-ever conference, the Sun Belt Conference. However, this stint was short-lived as they moved to the Metro Conference in 1992. In 1995, the Metro Conference merged with the Great Midwest Conference to form Conference USA, marking another shift for USF.
The early 2000s saw further conference realignments, with USF leaving Conference USA in 2005 to join the Big East Conference. This move was significant for the university's athletic programs, especially football, which rose to prominence in the Big East rankings.
In 2013, USF underwent another transition due to the Big East Conference realignment, becoming a charter member of the newly formed American Athletic Conference, now known simply as the American Conference. This conference change solidified the university's presence in NCAA Division I athletics, where they have remained ever since.
Looking ahead, USF's basketball teams will continue to compete in the American Conference, ensuring stability and the opportunity to build on their recent successes. The university has also demonstrated a commitment to enhancing its athletic infrastructure, with plans for a new on-campus football stadium scheduled for completion by 2027. This development underscores USF's dedication to elevating its sports programs and providing top-notch facilities for its student-athletes.
In summary, the USF Bulls men's basketball team has navigated through different conferences, adapting to changes and seeking the best platforms to showcase their talent. Their current standing in the American Conference promises a bright future, and the university's ongoing investments in sports facilities reinforce their commitment to athletic excellence.
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Frequently asked questions
USF basketball is in the American Conference, also known as the American Athletic Conference.
No, USF basketball has been in several conferences. The team was in the Sun Belt Conference from 1976 to 1992, the Metro Conference from 1992 to 1995, Conference USA from 1995 to 2005, the Big East Conference from 2005 to 2013, and finally the American Conference from 2013 onwards.
Yes, the USF Bulls men's basketball team has won two conference championships. They also reached the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament three times (1990, 1992, and 2012).
The USF basketball team colours are green and gold.
The USF men's and women's basketball teams play their home games on campus at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida.
