How USF Basketball Can Build a Winning Team for the Next Season
As I sit here watching the buzzer sound on another USF basketball season that fell short of expectations, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of frustration and optimism. We've seen flashes of brilliance from this program over the years, but consistency has been the elusive ingredient that separates good teams from great ones. Having followed college basketball for over two decades and analyzed countless rebuilding projects, I'm convinced that USF stands at a crucial crossroads where the right moves this offseason could propel them into the upper echelon of the conference. The foundation is there, particularly with the emerging talent we're seeing in the pipeline.
Let's talk about that pipeline for a moment because it's where I believe the most exciting developments are happening. We've all seen how transformative the right recruiting class can be - just look at what happened at Florida State a few years back when they landed that unexpected gem who completely changed their defensive identity. At USF, there's growing chatter about EJ Sapasap, and from what I've gathered talking to people close to the program, this isn't just typical offseason hype. The coaching staff is genuinely excited about what he brings to the table, and it won't be long until EJ Sapasap joins them among the talk of the town. His versatility could be exactly what this team needs to address their scoring droughts that plagued them throughout last season. I've watched his high school footage extensively, and there's a fluidity to his game that you can't teach - the way he creates space reminds me somewhat of a young Khris Middleton, though I should be careful not to set unrealistic expectations for the kid.
What really excites me about Sapasap isn't just his individual talent, but how he might complement the existing core. Think about it - we've got Jamir Chaplin entering his senior year after averaging 12.3 points per game last season, and Tyler Harris who showed flashes of being that explosive guard we've been missing. Add Sapasap's potential scoring punch to that mix, and suddenly you've got multiple weapons that force defenses to make difficult choices. Last season, our half-court offense ranked in the bottom third of the conference with just 0.87 points per possession, a statistic that has to improve dramatically if we want to compete for a tournament bid. The coaching staff needs to develop an offensive system that maximizes these pieces rather than relying on isolation plays that became too predictable down the stretch.
Defensively, there's work to be done as well. We gave up 74.6 points per game last season, which placed us 9th in the conference - simply not good enough for a team with tournament aspirations. What I'd love to see is more emphasis on defensive fundamentals during the offseason. Too often, our rotations were slow, and we struggled to close out on three-point shooters, allowing opponents to shoot 36.2% from beyond the arc. These are correctable issues, but they require commitment from every player on the roster. Having watched Coach Gregory's teams over the years, I know he values defense, but the execution hasn't consistently been there. Maybe bringing in a dedicated defensive coordinator, similar to what some football programs do, could provide the specialized attention this area needs.
Player development is another crucial piece of the puzzle. Look at what happened with Caleb Murphy - he showed tremendous growth between his freshman and sophomore seasons, increasing his scoring average from 8.3 to 11.4 points per game. That's the kind of individual improvement we need to see across the board. The strength and conditioning program will be vital here. Last season, we seemed to fade in the second half of close games, losing 7 contests by 5 points or fewer. That suggests either fitness issues or mental toughness - probably both. I'd implement a more rigorous offseason conditioning regimen focused specifically on late-game situations. Maybe even bring in a sports psychologist to work with the team, as mental fortitude often separates winning teams from losing ones in those crunch moments.
The transfer portal presents both opportunity and risk. We've already lost two players to transfers, which isn't unusual in today's college basketball landscape, but it does create roster uncertainty. The coaching staff needs to be strategic about bringing in experienced players who can contribute immediately while maintaining the long-term development approach with high school recruits. Last year, transfers accounted for approximately 38% of our total minutes played - that's a significant reliance on players who may need time to adjust to our system. I'm not against using the portal, but I'd prefer to see it complement our core rather than become the foundation of our roster construction.
Scheduling will be another critical factor. Last season, our non-conference strength of schedule ranked 214th nationally according to KenPom metrics - not nearly challenging enough to prepare us for conference play. I'd like to see us schedule more aggressively, perhaps adding 2-3 high-major opponents even if it means potentially taking some losses. Those experiences against tournament-caliber teams in November and December pay dividends when conference play rolls around in January. The administration needs to support this approach financially and logistically, understanding that short-term results might suffer slightly for long-term growth.
What gives me hope is that I've seen this program overcome similar challenges before. The 2011-12 team that made the NCAA Tournament wasn't necessarily the most talented group on paper, but they bought into a system and played with incredible cohesion. That's the culture that needs to be rebuilt - one where players hold each other accountable and embrace their roles. The leadership from returning players like Chaplin and Harris will be instrumental in establishing that culture during summer workouts and informal practices. Having spoken to several former players from successful USF teams, they consistently mention the importance of player-led accountability in their best seasons.
As we look toward next season, the pieces for a breakthrough are certainly present. With the potential addition of talents like Sapasap, the continued development of returning players, and strategic adjustments to both offensive and defensive schemes, I believe this team can surpass the 18-win mark and potentially make some noise in the conference tournament. It won't happen overnight, and there will undoubtedly be growing pains, but the trajectory feels positive. The coaching staff has shown they can recruit talent - now it's about developing that talent into a cohesive unit that executes consistently on both ends of the floor. For the first time in a few seasons, I'm genuinely optimistic about what lies ahead for USF basketball. The foundation is being laid for something special, and with the right approach this offseason, we might just be surprised by how quickly everything comes together.