Bryan Hodgson

In opting for proof over promise, USF has hired College of Charleston's Chris Mack, who brings of a resume of 300-plus career wins and nine NCAA appearances at Louisville and Xavier.

Hodgson is joining a school in the Big East Conference, a basketball-first power league rich in tradition, resources and national exposure.

Anticipation was high among fans, but the Bulls couldn't get past the Louisville Cardinals. While disappointed by the 83-79 loss, fans appreciated the team's effort.

Hodgson's eyes began to well when Izaiyah Nelson referred to him as a father figure. The coach also praised his parents and took exception to comments by Louisville's coach about some Bulls players.

The Bulls missed 20 of their first 21 3-point attempts and fell behind by 23 points in the second half before going on run over the final 11 minutes. But it wasn't enough to overcome the Cardinals at the end.

USF is in Buffalo to meet Louisville in the first round of the NCAA tournament. A day earlier, the Bulls' coach shared some of the scars as a foster child and joys from adoption.

The Bulls will open on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. against Louisville in Buffalo – a homecoming for Coach Bryan Hodgson. They earned the bid by beating Wichita State in the American tournament final.

The Bulls need one more victory to earn an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament. A loss means waiting for a possible at-large bid from the selection committee.

South Florida thrashed the 49ers last weekend, but the stakes are higher now. The Bulls, the No. 1 seed, can earn a bid to the NCAAs with a win in Saturday's semifinal and in the title game Sunday.

Top-seeded South Florida enters the American Conference tournament on a nine-game winning streak, needing two wins in Birmingham to secure a spot in March Madness.

Bryan Hodgson was an assistant coach for multiple programs, including Buffalo and Alabama, before his first head coaching gig at Arkansas State.

Hodgson comes to the Bulls after quickly turning around the Red Wolves. USF’s announcement called the 37-year-old Hodgson “one of the nation's top recruiters and a rising head coach.”