Matchups Set for USF Canadian Foreign Tour

TAMPA, JUNE 6, 2019 – The USF men’s basketball team will face its first opponents since winning the 2019 College Basketball Invitational later this summer when the Bulls travel to Canada August 3-9 for the team’s Foreign Tour.

USF begins play Sunday, Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. when the Bulls face the University of Quebec from Meagher Arena in Montreal. The Citadins finished the 2017-18 season with an 8-8 record in conference on their way to an appearance in the conference tournament finals. Center Alex Lochard was named the conference and National Rookie of the Year after leading the league with 18.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Last summer, the Citadins faced two NCAA teams and were defeated by both Vermont and Maryland Eastern Shore.

The Bulls will next make the short trip to Quebec City, Quebec, and play Laval University at PEPS Arena. Laval posted a 5-11 record last season and missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. Sam Houston State transfer Marc-Andre Fortin is the top returner for Laval after earning Second Team All-Conference honors a season ago. Fortin was selected to play team Team Canada this summer in Naples, Italy. Laval was victorious against NCAA foes South Carolina State and Florida A&M last summer.

USF’s toughest task north of the border comes Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. against Carleton from Place Bell Arena in Montreal. Carleton owns a 44-31 all-time record against NCAA teams and defeated Vanderbilt twice and Alabama once in 2017. In addition, the Ravens have only lost one regular season game over the last three seasons and have won 14 national championships and 11 conference championships over the last 17 years.

The Ravens return Marcus Anderson, who is the two-time defending National Defensive Player of the Year, and 2019 First Team All-Canadian selection Eddie Ekiyopr. Additionally, Munis Tutu is back for the Ravens after he was named as a third team all-star and a National Championship First Team All-Star last year.

USF puts the finishing touches on its Canadian Foreign Tour on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. against McGill University at Place Bell Arena. McGill, the alma mater of basketball inventor James Naismith, went 14-15 overall and 9-7 in league play last season. The Redmen lost four players from last season, including its top three scorers. Sam Jenkins averaged 8.4 points and 3.4 rebounds last season and is the top returning scorer. McGill lost to Ole Miss (102-61), Cincinnati (79-53), South Dakota State (76-69), Vermont (77-57) and Duke (103-59) last summer in exhibition games with NCAA opponents.

Thanks to supporters, USF already has momentum in its mission of raising more funds to support lodging, meals, transportation and cultural experiences for the Bulls during their tour of Canada.

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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 10^th 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 brings nearly 250 career head coaching wins and six postseason appearances, including the 2010 NIT Championship, to Tampa. 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.

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.