USF athletics spring 2023 preview
With the first semester of 2023 starting up, many winter sports hit the thick of their seasons while spring sports prepare to begin.
In January, both men’s and women’s basketball will continue on while baseball and softball go into full preparation mode with both their seasons starting in February.
Here are some games to keep an eye on this spring.
Women’s basketball
As South Florida women’s basketball has been brought up in the many conversations of becoming a ranked opponent, this team has put on quite the performance this year.
The Bulls (14-4, 3-0 AAC) have only lost four games in their campaign, all against ranked opponents like No. 3 Ohio State, No. 8 NC State, No. 22 Michigan and No. 23 Villanova.
USF has now begun its conference slate on a good note, defeating Tulane 69-61 and Temple 77-55.
Heading into a crucial part of the season, South Florida will compete to dominate in the remainder of its season and have a chance to claim the conference.
Women’s basketball will kick off the first week of classes with a matchup against Memphis at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by another contest versus Tulane at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Yuengling Center. However, one of the team’s most anticipated rivalries will occur on Jan. 22 against Central Florida, a must-see battle this season.
Men’s basketball
Unlike its counterpart, men’s basketball has begun to decline once again despite its five-game win streak from Dec. 2-22.
South Florida (7-9, 0-3 AAC) has recorded two heartbreaking losses since the start of conference play, losing to Memphis 93-86 on Dec. 29 followed by a tight 68-64 loss to Temple on Wednesday.
Currently sitting in ninth place out of 11 teams, the Bulls have yet to put themselves in a position to be successful in the postseason.
To try and change the momentum of its season, USF will need to prevail in its two-game road trip against Houston on Wednesday followed by East Carolina on Sunday. The Bulls will then return home to take on Cincinnati on Jan. 18 and host the War on I-4 against UCF on Jan. 21.
Baseball
College baseball opening weekend will kick off on Feb. 17. For USF baseball, that means hosting Maryland for a three-game series.
Along with opening weekend, the Bulls will host 32 games in Tampa against opponents from all over the country.
Following the Bull’s encounter with the Terrapins, South Florida will host Florida for a midweek contest beginning Feb. 21 at the USF Baseball Stadium with a road match against the Gators Feb. 22.
Softball
With just one month left on the countdown, USF softball will begin its season on Feb. 9 against Michigan in the USF-Rawlings Invitational.
South Florida’s opening weekend showcases six different matchups in the span of four days, including Boston College, Boston University, Saint Joseph’s, Illinois State and Florida.
USF will host 40 games at the USF Softball Stadium this season.
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