Buzz Keeps Building for USF Women's Basketball This Offseason

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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

DATE: June 25, 2019

BLOG: Coach Fernandez talks about USF’s loaded 2019-20 schedule and gives his thoughts on what the signing class will bring to the Bulls.

TAMPA, JUNE 25, 2019– From lining up powerhouse opponents to signing top-tier recruits, the buzz continues to build for USF women’s basketball this offseason.

Earlier this month, head coach Jose Fernandez released USF’s 2019-20 nonconference schedule that has no shortage of formidable foes. The Bulls are set to face six NCAA tournament teams from last season, including three No. 1 seeds, prior to league play.

Excitement will ramp up quickly with Texas visiting Tampa in the Bulls’ second game of the season on Friday, Nov. 8. The Big 12 theme continues in a big way during USF’s first road trip when the Bulls take on national champion Baylor on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

USF’s Thanksgiving trip to Mexico will definitely be memorable with tests against South Dakota State (Nov. 28) and FGCU (Nov. 29) – both NCAA tourney teams – before the program wraps up its Cancun Challenge run against national runner-up Notre Dame (Nov. 30).

USF will see another NCAA tournament top seed in Las Vegas, where the Bulls will open the Duel in the Desert against SEC Tournament champion Mississippi State, which went 33-3 overall last season. On top of all that juicy nonconference news, Bulls got to see how The American slate is taking shape after USF’s home and away opponents were revealed last week.

“We’re really excited about the schedule,” Fernandez said. “I think top to bottom, it’s the type of schedule that’s definitely going to challenge us and continue to help us talk to recruits about who we play and what we’re all about.”

A Look at the Newest Bulls
Speaking of recruits, Fernandez’s staff has kept up their trend of looking all over the globe for high-impact Bulls.

Five of the six new Bulls on the roster for the upcoming season hail from European countries, including Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece and Spain.

Not long after USF’s WNIT second-round appearance, the Bulls welcomed junior forward Bethy Mununga (pronounced Bet-tee), a two-time NJCAA All-American, from Belgium. The former Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College standout averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds last season while leading the nation in field goal percentage (64.9).

“You add a junior college player in Bethy, who was one of the best junior college forwards in the country,” Fernandez said. “She’s a kid that can run, rebounds, and she’s active and can defend. She gives you a different dimension at the four spot.”

USF accomplished its goal of bolstering the perimeter and added solid depth at guard with three promising freshmen.

All-state selection Maria Alvarez (Bal Harbour, Fla.) won multiple state championships with Miami Country Day in addition to two Dick’s Sporting Goods High School national titles.

“You bring in Maria Alvarez, who is one of the best shooting guards in the country,” Fernandez said.

USF was happy to get a pair of versatile guards who can play both spots on the floor.

Five-star recruit Elena Tsineke (Thessaloniki, Greece) produced a lot for Greece at the 2017 FIBA U18 European Championship, averaging 21.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Tsineke is set to play for Greece’s U20 national and senior national teams this year.

Mihaela Lazic also has gained lots of experience on big stages while competing for Croatia in the FIBA 2017 and 2018 European Championships.

“Competition is going to be very, very good,” Fernandez said.

The latest standout to ink a national Letter of Intent was Cristina Bermejo, a 6-foot-1 wing from Spain whom Fernandez calls a “matchup problem” for opposing teams and “probably the most versatile” of USF’s 2019 signing class.

Prior to Bermejo joining the program, USF already hit a home run at wing with Kristyna Brabencova, another five-star recruit, from Brno, Czech Republic. Later this summer, Brabencova will join new USF teammates Tsineke (Greece), Elisa Pinzan (Italy), Beatriz Jordao (Portugal) and Luize Septe (Latvia) in competition at the FIBAU-20 Women’s European Championship.

“The one thing these kids are doing this summer is they’re playing at a really, really high level,” Fernandez said.

Staying sharp in the summer will only help new and returning Bulls once preseason practices roll around.

“It’s going to be interesting,” Fernandez said. “We’ve got 14 (players) on the roster and you don’t’ know who your top eight or nine are going to be because it’s going to be a war in practice every day. It always takes care of itself.”

Septe Makes Latvia’s National Team Roster
Sophomore wing Luize Septe has earned a spot on Latvia’s senior national team for the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2019 event.

The tournament begins Thursday with action taking place in Latvia and Serbia. Septehas the honor of being the youngest player on Latvia’s roster after starting 19 times for the Bulls last season.

Start Planning for the Season
Fans can start get ready to watch the 2019-20 Bulls play a loaded schedule by placing a $50 deposit per seat for season tickets, which allows them to pick their seats in advance. Make season ticket deposits at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-GO-BULLS.

About USF Women’s Basketball
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF women’s basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).

USF notched its eighth consecutive 19-win season and eighth straight postseason appearance in 2018-19. The Bulls celebrated two all-conference honorees in Enna Pehadzic and Sydni Harvey.

USF has made 15 postseason tournament appearances and had six NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 19 seasons. The all-time winningestcoach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to nine 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 350 games.