Bryan Hodgson departs South Florida basketball after bringing the program to new highs; will Chris Mack be able to continue its run in the American?
The tradition continues! It’s another year of our countdown of the top 100 preseason teams in college basketball until the start of the season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: USF basketball.
It’s another new school and new conference to coach in for Chris Mack, who took over the program in April after Hodgson went to Providence. He entered Tampa with nobody from last year’s team that made the NCAA Tournament on the roster and looks to get back to the dance with completely new faces to its fans.
The Bulls bring in a ton of new faces with different flavor. Highlighted by the guard transfers Sonny Wilson, Toledo, who brings a ton of scoring from the MAC, and AJ Dancler from Coastal Carolina. The team added tons of other transfers from around the country with a mix of a few from the Power 5.
With the field expanded, the American could now be in position to have multiple teams in the tournament. Will the Bulls be one of those teams despite all of the new faces?
Head coach: Chris Mack (16th season overall, 1st at South Florida)
2025-26 record: 25-9 (15-3)
2025 postseason finish: Lost to Louisville (83-79) in first round of NCAA Tournament
Notable departures:
- LITERALLY EVERYONE (No returners)
Notable non-conference games:
- at DePaul (Nov. 5)
- at Dayton (Dec. 12)
- vs. Alabama (Dec. 16)
Projected Rotation
PG: Sonny Wilson (6-1, Sr.)
2025-26 stats: 17.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 49.0 FG% (Toledo)
SG: AJ Dancler (6-2, Sr.)
2025-26 stats: 15.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 39.3 3P% (Coastal Carolina)
SF: Joshua Lewis (6-7, So.)
2025-26 stats: 8.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.7 APG, 51.1 FG% (Louisiana)
PF: Zayden High (6-10, Jr.)
2025-26 stats: 3.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 48.1 FG% (North Carolina)
C: Tiefing Diawara (7-0, So.)
2025-26 stats: 0.5 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.0 APG, 4 GP (Syracuse)
6: Chris Davis Jr. (6-4, So.)
2025-26 stats: 7.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.6 APG, 38.8 3P% (Charleston)
7: Andrej Shoshkikj (6-2, 182, So.)
2025-26 stats: 10.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 45.1 3P%
8: Garrett Johnson (6-8, Jr.)
2025-26 stats: 11.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 100.0 FT% (George Washington)
9: Richard Goods (6-9, Jr.)
2025-26 stats: 7.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 35.2 3P% (Stony Brook)
10: Mike James (6-5, Gr.-Sr.)
2025-26 stats: 1.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 29.4 FG%, 57.1 FT% (Vanderbilt)
11: Reph Stevenson (6-9, Sr.)
2025-26 stats: 14.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, seven double-doubles (Depauw)
12: Jayden Johnson (6-6, Fr.)
247Sports Composite No. 248 ranked recruit
South Florida Basketball team MVP: Sonny Wilson
Through his first three seasons, Sonny Wilson has made significant strides scoring-wise while at Toledo and looks to bring that same offensive firepower to the AAC. Wilson averaged 17 a game a year ago and, with a season-high 29 points against Michigan State this past season, looks to be the anchor for the Bulls.
With no returners from a year ago, Wilson will have to come in right away and be the leader and go-to guy on offense whenever the team needs a bucket.
Nevada Basketball make-or-break player: Zayden High
Zayden High did not shape out to do much while in the Carolina blue for his first two seasons, but if the Bulls look to continue their success, High will have to live up to the top 100 ranking out of high school and be a productive player for the Bulls if it wants to compete for the league title again.
High had a tough time even touching the floor the past two seasons and got barely any meaningful minutes in close games. If High can live up to the high school ranking, it could be a big boost down low for Mack and company.
Stat to know: New coach boost
Here’s a fun stat. South Florida has had three coaches in the last four seasons, and each coach has had immediate success right away within the conference. Whether it be Amir Abdur-Rahim or Bryan Hodgson, both have had the Bulls in the national spotlight with 25-8 and 25-9 records in their first seasons.
To keep the Bulls fanbase happy and continue the momentum that Hodgson had in just one season, Chris Mack will have to win right away. Despite no returners, he will have to rely on heavy transfer portal guys to carry the load for the season.
South Florida Basketball 2026-27 projections
Projected conference finish: 2nd in American Conference
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament Round of 64