IRVING, Texas (Oct. 9, 2023) – For the fourth straight year, the University of South Florida women’s basketball program has been picked to finish first in this year’s rendition of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) preseason coaches poll, as announced by the league office on Monday.
Additionally, senior guard Sammie Puisis was named to the AAC Preseason All-Conference First Team.
The Bulls landed atop the preseason coaches poll with a grand total of 166 points and 10-of-14 first-place votes. East Carolina (159) was picked to finish second with the last four first-place votes. Rice (135), SMU (118), and Memphis (115) rounded out the top five spots. Tulane (110), Tulsa (104), UTSA (75), Temple (72), Charlotte (62), Wichita State (53), and North Texas (47) were slotted sixth through 12 on the ledger. UAB (30) and Florida Atlantic (28) rounded out the bottom two teams.
Puisis averaged 15.5 ppg and 4.1 rpg last season while starting 33-of-34 contests. The Mason, Ohio native put up double-figures in all but five contests and had 11 20-plus point outings. She finished the 2022-23 season with 109 3-point field goals made, the third most in a single season in program history and fifth all-time in the American. Puisis finished the last season ranked fifth national in three-point field goals per game (3.21).
This past season, South Florida posted a 27-7 overall record and held a 15-1 mark in conference action. The 2022-23 campaign was concluded on a high note, as the program made its ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, marking its eighth trip to the Big Dance in the last 11 years. USF has advanced to the postseason 18 times in the club’s history.
Included in their 27 wins were ranked victories against No. 22/18 Texas, 70-65, a gritty 66-65 overtime win versus No. 17/19 Arkansas in the San Diego Invitational, and a 67-65, comeback overtime triumph against ninth-seeded Marquette in the first round of March Madness.
The Bulls will kick off the 2023-24 campaign with four of the first five matchups at home versus UT Arlington (Monday, Nov. 6), Stetson (Friday, Nov. 10), Grambling State (Monday, Nov. 13), and North Florida (Sunday, Nov. 19) before heading to Alabama (Thursday, Nov. 16). USF will then head to the U.S. Virgin Islands to take part in its fourth Paradise Jam appearance. Playing in the Reef Tournament, USF will play High Point (Thursday, Nov. 23), Arizona State (Friday, Nov. 24), and Texas (Saturday, Nov. 25).
2023-24 AAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
- South Florida (10) 166
- East Carolina (4) 159
- Rice 135
- SMU 118
- Memphis 115
- Tulane 110
- Tulsa 104
- UTSA 75
- Temple 72
- Charlotte 62
- Wichita State 53
- North Texas 47
- UAB 30
- Florida Atlantic 28
First-place votes in parenthesis
Preseason Player of the Year
Danae McNeal, Gr., G, East Carolina
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Amiya Joyner, So., F, East Carolina
Danae McNeal, Gr., G, East Carolina*
Madison Griggs, Gr., G, Memphis
Sammie Puisis, Sr., G, South Florida
Temira Poindexeter, Jr., F, Tulsa
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Dazia Lawrence, R-Jr., G, Charlotte
Aniya Hubbard, So., G, Florida Atlantic
Malia Fisher, Jr., F, Rice
Aleah Nelson, 5th, G, Temple
Jordyn Jenkins, Sr., F, UTSA
* Denotes unanimous selection
TICKETS
Fans can purchase women’s basketball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
WATCH THE BULLS
All of South Florida’s home regular season games will once again be streamed live on the ESPN+ platform. 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.
ABOUT USF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
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South Florida women’s basketball recorded its 11th 20-win season during the 2022-23 campaign. USF has made 18 postseason tournament appearances and had nine NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 23 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to 11 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship, has won over 400 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
In 2022-23, the Bulls had four players recognized by The American for impressive seasons, including Elena Tsineke (AAC Co-Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (AAC Co-Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Sammie Puisis (AAC Newcomer of the Year, All-Conference Second Team) and Carla Brito (AAC All-Freshman Team).
– #GoBulls –
