Six nonconference foes on the Bulls 2021-22 schedule appear in the AP Top 20.
TAMPA (Oct. 19, 2021) – The University of South Florida women’s basketball team, entering its 50th Anniversary, will begin the season as one of the nation’s top-ranked teams in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll, which was announced on Tuesday. South Florida was slotted in at No. 21.
Click here to see the complete Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll.
The Bulls, who finished the 2020-21 season No. 19 in the final AP poll, will face – or have the possibility of facing – seven teams that join them in the preseason poll, or that are receiving votes, including the top three teams, and four of the top 10. South Carolina, a possible opponent in the Bahamas during day three of the Battle 4 Atlantis (B4A) on Nov. 22, is the preseason No. 1 team in the nation, while UConn is No. 2. The Bulls and Huskies could face each other on day two of the B4A on Nov. 21. In addition, No. 10 Oregon and Oklahoma, which is receiving votes, are also possible day three opponents.
The defending American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champions, South Florida will conclude its four-game stretch in the Bahamas against No. 3-ranked, and defending national champion, Stanford in the Baha Man Pink Flamingo Championship in Nassau.
The Bulls will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, to face No. 15 Tennessee on Nov. 15 in the AAC/SEC Challenge before heading to the Bahamas.
The Green and Gold close out their gauntlet of Top 25 nonconference opponents when they take on No. 15 West Virginia on Dec. 20 on day one of the West Palm Invitational.
South Florida, who was recently chosen to finish atop the American Athletic Conference this season in the league’s preseason coaches’ poll, tips off the 2021-22 campaign with back-to-back home games against Texas Rio Grande Valley and Alabama State on Tues., Nov. 9, and Thur., Nov. 11, respectively, before traveling to Knoxville to face the Lady Vols.
Season tickets are on sale now. Fans are encouraged to visit USFBullsTix.com or call 1-800-GoBulls to purchase their season tickets.
Click here for South Florida’s complete season schedule.
About USF Women’s Basketball
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USF has recorded its best season in program history during the 2020-21 campaign, all while navigating the unpredictable COVID-19 landscape. In doing so, the Bulls won their first-ever conference regular-season and tournament titles, and posted their highest ranking in the Associated Press Top25 poll, reaching as high as No. 12.
USF has made 16 postseason tournament appearances and had seven NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 21 seasons. The all-time winningest coach 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 380 games. For his efforts on the sideline during the 2020-21 season, 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.
Also, during the 2020-21 campaign, the Bulls had five players recognized by The American for impressive seasons, including Elisa Pinzan (Most Improved Player, All-Conference Second Team), Maria Alvarez (Co-Sixth Player of the Year), Bethy Mununga (All-Conference First Team), Elena Tsineke (All-Conference First Team), and Sydni Harvey (All-Conference Third Team).
In addition, Harvey was named the American Athletic Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player and to the All-Tournament Team, while Mununga and Tsineke were also All-Tournament selections.
– #GoBulls –
