TAMPA, Fla. – A program record 25 wins. A program-record 15-game win streak. An American Athletic Conference regular-season title. Three straight sellouts at a Yuengling Center that burst by the seams on a memorable Sunday afternoon against FAU.
Indeed, it was a memorable 2023-24 season for the USF men’s basketball program. Memorable for the fans, alumni and anybody who cared to pay attention to first-year coach Amir Abdur-Rahim’s squad.
It came to an end Sunday night as the Bulls (25-8) scratched and clawed before coming up short, 70-65, against VCU in a second-round NIT matchup at the YC.
Read: USF Held Off Familiar Foe In Setting Program Wins Record
You just knew when the Rams (24-13) opened a nine-point lead with 9:21 remaining in the game that the Bulls would charge back. Sure enough, Selton Miguel went to the line with 21 seconds remaining with a chance to complete a three-point play and knot the score at 66. He missed and VCU closed it out.
Miguel, of course, will not be remembered for a missed free throw just like the Bulls’ season will not be remembered for the loss. Miguel will be remembered for a fantastic season in helping lead the Bulls to new heights.
Fantastic season? How about Chris Youngblood? Any surprise that he was the game-high scorer with 28 points? No, sir. Kasean Pryor recorded another double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. It just was not enough on this night.
Ready for more memories in 2024-25?
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