Bull Speed Ahead Podcast: Episode 38
TAMPA, NOV. 23, 2020 – USF Vice President of AthleticsÂ
Michael Kelly covers important USF Athletics topics and much more on Bull Speed Ahead. Via his podcast, Kelly will keep fans updated on the latest information regarding athletics and the achievements and happenings involving student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Kelly's special guest this week is fourth-year USF head coach
Brian Gregory, who provides listeners with several updates on his rising men's basketball program. USF's exciting 2020-21 season, presented by Tampa General Hospital, begins this Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. with a game against Florida College inside the Yuengling Center. Catch the action on ESPN+.
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'FLEXIBLE' BULLS GET BETTER: Coach Gregory talks about how the Bulls had to be flexible with scheduling and "make changes on the fly" throughout preseason activities during the pandemic. USF has followed strict safety protocols that include a capacity limit within the locker room, team lounge and training room before and after practices. When the team is on the court, players not in the action have designated spots where they stand 6 feet apart and each Bull has his own physically distanced area for water breaks. The "tremendous" Muma Center also allows the Bulls to safely conduct team meetings and film sessions throughout the spacious facility. Respecting the rules during this "unique" preseason allowed USF to make continuous improvement in the player development department, which remained the program's top priority. "It's different, but our guys understand what's at stake and they've done a really good job with everything that we've asked of them," Gregory said.
GREGORY'S THOUGHTS ON 2020-21 SCHEDULE: Gregory applauds The American for the way it effectively rolled out the new-look conference schedule for this season. For the first time in AAC history, the format consists of a 20-game, double round-robin league schedule for each of The American's 11 member institutions. Gregory also explains the decision-making process that went into USF putting together its nonconference schedule that begins with a home game against Florida College on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. (ESPN+). Get more info on the USF 2020-21 season presented by Tampa General Hospital HERE.
AAC TOURNEY DETAILS: Gregory explains why he's "all for" the American Athletic Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships being held at Dickies Arena, a grand stage for national exposure. The conference men's tournament, which Gregory said "starts March Madness" is set for March 11-14 in Fort Worth, Texas. All games of the men's championship will be televised on either ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU, including the championship final on ESPN.- NCAA TOURNAMENT TALK: Following the cancellation of last year's "Big Dance," Gregory explains why it's "critical for college sports in general that we figure out a way to have the NCAA basketball tournament." With that in mind, Gregory likes the idea of the NCAA exploring plans to create an NCAA tournament bubble around Indianapolis' metropolitan area during coordinated dates in March and April. "I think it has a chance to be incredible," Gregory said. The Men's Final Four was already slated to take place in Indianapolis from April 3-5, 2021. Learn more HERE.
OPENING-WEEK TRIP TO CONNECTICUT: Following Wednesday's season opener, Gregory's Bulls will be headed to another bubble-type environment in Uncasville, Conn., where the Basketball Hall of Fame Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Tournament will take place. USF is set to face Rhode Island on Saturday, Nov. 28 (5:30 p.m., ESPN+) and Virginia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 29 (8 p.m., ESPN2) at Mohegan Sun Arena.- BULLS CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY: Gregory talks about how the excited Bulls are "chomping at the bit" to finally begin the highly anticipated season. No matter if the schedule of opponents has to be adjusted at any point, Gregory said the team's mission of "playing South Florida basketball" won't change. The Bulls' brand consists of solid defense, physical play on the glass, fast-paced tempo and spreading the ball around well on offense. "Our guys, they're ready to go," said Gregory in the midst of USF's sixth week of team practices.
FOLLOW THE BULLS: Kelly talks about ways that fans can still follow the Bulls despite USF not having fan attendance in the Yuengling Center during nonconference season that's scheduled to run through at least Dec. 15. Athletics and the university will continue to review fan attendance policies for the remainder of the 2020-21 basketball season to evaluate the possibility of limited fan attendance of future home dates if deemed appropriate by state, local and university officials. A limited number of players' and coaches' family members will be admitted via pass list to attend home games in person. The American Athletic Conference and ESPN begin a new 12-year television rights agreement this season that will see nearly all men's and women's games available for viewing either via traditional linear networks or digitally through ESPN+. Learn more HERE.
CLOSING THOUGHTS: Gregory concludes his time on Bull Speed Ahead by dishing out reasons why he's so excited about his super talented USF squad this season. Expectations are high as the Bulls return four starters and nine total letter winners from a 2019-20 squad that finished with seven league victories, including wins over Memphis, UConn, UCF and Temple. In addition, 2018-19 AAC Freshman of the Year Alexis Yetna (Paris) will return after missing all of last season with a knee injury. USF also has a talented group of newcomers featuring four-star freshman guard Caleb Murphy (Youngtown, Ohio).
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About USF Men's Basketball
The USF men's basketball team is led by head coach Brian Gregory. On March 22, 2017, Gregory was introduced as the 10th head coach in program history. He previously led programs at Georgia Tech (2011-16) and Dayton (2003-11). Gregory spent nearly a decade as an assistant coach under Michigan State's Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo and helped the Spartans win the 2000 NCAA National Championship. Gregory owns nearly 300 career head coaching wins and six postseason appearances, including the 2010 NIT Championship. In his second season at the helm of the Bulls, Gregory led the team to the best win turnaround in the NCAA, the most single-season wins in school history and the 2019 College Basketball Invitational championship.Â
USF has retired three numbers in its 47-year history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30) and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids, appeared in the NIT eight times and won the 2019 College Basketball Invitational.
For tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com.
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF men's' basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
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