The Bulls will start their quest for a second AAC Tourney title in the last three years on Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET.
GAME 32 | TUE., MARCH, 7, 2023 | 1 P.M. ET | AAC TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS | FT. WORTH, TEXAS | DICKIES ARENA
Watch Live | Listen Live | Live Stats | AAC Tournament Central
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Video: ESPN+ ($)
Sam Gore (PxP), Aja Ellison (Color), Morgan Uber (Sideline)
Audio: Bulls Unlimited (iHeartRadio/GoUSFBulls.com)
Darek Sharp (PxP)
Live Stats: GoUSFBulls.com
Twitter Updates: @USFWBB
(1) USF BULLS | 26-5
Last Game: March 1 at Cincinnati, W, 85-55
Next Game: March 7 vs. 9 Temple/8 Wichita State 1 p.m.
Head Coach: Jose Fernandez
Alma Mater: FIU, 1994
Career Record: 442-290 (23rd season)
at South Florida: Same
(9) TEMPLE OWLS | 11-17
Last Game: March 1 vs. SMU, W, 68-62
Next Game: March 7 vs. South Florida, 1 p.m.
Head Coach: Diane Richardson
Alma Mater: Frostburg State, 1982
Career Record: 91-83 (Sixth season)
at Temple: 11-17 (First season)
-OR-
(8) WICHITA STATE SHOCKERS | 16-13
Last Game: March 1 at Houston, L, 62-55
Next Game: March 7 vs. South Florida, 1 p.m.
Head Coach: Keitha Adams
Alma Mater: Southwestern, 1989
Career Record: 489-337 (27th season)
at Wichita State: 78-91 (Sixth season)
By Joey Johnston
FT. WORTH, Texas (March 6, 2023) – On a championship team with so many crowd-pleasing, entertaining facets, USF women’s basketball point guard Aerial Wilson often operates anonymously. There’s no fanfare. Sometimes, there’s hardly any notice at all.
But within the confines of USF’s practice court, or on the sidelines during a game, Wilson is universally praised and appreciated. She sets up USF’s high-powered offense. She plays tight defense. And she has transformed one of the game’s most thankless tasks — taking a charge — into an art form.
Flashy headlines might be elusive, but Wilson has unquestioned value for the top-seeded Bulls (26-5), who begin play Tuesday in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Last season, Wilson barely made a sound for the Bulls after transferring from Memphis with her teammate, center Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu. Wilson was the backup point guard in 2021-22, but never seemed to get into the flow of things.
This season, she’s running the show. She’s averaging just 1.2 points — with just 37 points scored all season — but she has 141 assists (4.5 per game) against just 57 turnovers.
“I think there are different expectations in this program, so I had to get used to that,’’ said Wilson, a 5-foot-10 junior from just outside Toronto in Canada. “It’s a different mindset. I feel like I had to put in a lot of work to get confident and comfortable. It gradually came, but I didn’t get much chance to show that (improvement) during games.
“Now I’m talking to teammates and trying to be a vocal leader. My demeanor is completely different. I feel like with the way I’m playing and the way I feel about myself now, I feel like I’m in control. And that kind of confidence is a big part of basketball.’’
USF coach Jose Fernandez said he’s delighted with the new and improved version of Aerial Wilson.
“She quite often guards the other team’s best player, so that has freed up Sammie (Puisis) on the wing and made us a better offensive team,’’ Fernandez said. “You feel pretty comfortable with Aerial guarding anybody. I think she’s always up for that kind of challenge.
“She can knock down open shots, but she does a lot of things well and she plays winning basketball. She had a great summer as far as getting her body in shape and she earned everything she has gotten. I think she’s the kind of player you love having on your team.’’
Teammates appreciate Wilson, too.
“The way Aerial takes charges, I think that’s legendary,’’ said Bulls guard Elena Tsineke, who was named Co-AAC Player of the Year along with Fankam Mendjiadeu. “She’s really, really good at it. It’s definitely a skill. She’s not scared to put her body out there and get hit. I think we trust her a lot on defense.’’
“She has really helped us this season,’’ Fankam Mendjiadeu said. “She gets the ball to me and the other players in great spots on the court. She’s a leader out there. And the way she takes the charges … wow! That gets us really fired up.’’
Wilson said she’s willing to do anything necessary in order to help the team win — even when it involves getting flattened while drawing an offensive foul.
“I think it comes naturally,’’ Wilson said. “It’s the kind of thing you can control every game. It’s about effort and want-to. It’s fun to try and read the player before the play actually happens.
“When you draw a charge, it’s such a momentum-changer and everyone gets super excited. Over time, you kind of figure out the best way to do it and you don’t get hurt too much. Your adrenaline gets going on a play like that, so it’s almost like the bruises are worth it. I’m willing to do whatever is needed for us to win the game.’’
When Elisa Pinzan transferred to Maryland after last season, an opening was created at the point-guard position. Wilson felt ready to step up into a primary role.
“My first year (at USF), I feel like I was still learning,’’ Wilson said. “I’m not sure I was ready to speak out. Because no one wants to listen to someone who doesn’t really know what they’re doing. I was observing and learning.
“I focused on myself, did what I needed to do in order to improve. When my chance came, I was ready.’’
And USF women’s basketball has been the biggest beneficiary.
“Aerial Wilson probably doesn’t get talked about enough,’’ Fernandez said. “But we’re glad we have her. She helps make us go and she’s a very important part of our success.’’
Catch The Bulls on Bulls Unlimited & ESPN+
The majority of USF’s regular-season games will be streamed live on the ESPN+ platform. The American Athletic Conference and ESPN began a new 12-year television rights agreement which started in 2020-21. Subscriptions for the ESPN+ app is $9.99 monthly or $99.99 annually and can be packaged with Hulu and Disney+ streaming services. A step-by-step guide for subscribing to ESPN+ is located here.
In addition, all games this season will be broadcast live on USF Bulls Unlimited, with Darek Sharp (home and away) and Brigid Merenda (for home games only) on the call. Bulls Unlimited is available via the free Tune In app (search “Bulls Unlimited’’) and provides static-free quality whether you’re listening on your streaming device, laptop or desktop.
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).
South Florida recorded its 10th 20-win season during the 2021-22 campaign while playing in its sixth American Athletic Conference championship game in its nine years in the conference. The Bulls achieved their highest national ranking of the season when it checked in at No. 13 in the Nov. 30 Associated Press Top 25 Poll, and advanced to their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in the last nine years.
USF has made 17 postseason tournament appearances and had eight NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 22 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to 10 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship, and has won over 400 career games. Fernandez was named a finalist for the WBCA and semifinalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Awards. He was also tabbed the 2021 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the 2020-21 campaign.
In 2021-22, the Bulls had three players recognized by The American for impressive seasons, including Elena Tsineke (All-Conference First Team), Bethy Mununga (All-Conference Second Team) and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (All-Conference Second Team).
In addition, Tsineke and Mununga were named to the American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team.
–#GoBulls –
