Hodgson's Home Game & Syracuse Snub

South Florida's first-year coach Bryan Hodgson is set for a homecoming as his team faces Louisville in their NCAA Tournament opener. Born and raised in western New York, Hodgson previously coached under Nate Oats at Buffalo before leading the Bulls to a 25-win season and conference championships. He will have 38 family members present for the game.

This event occurs shortly after Hodgson reportedly declined an offer to become the head coach at Syracuse. USF has achieved remarkable success this season, currently holding an 11-game winning streak, which is tied for the second-longest active streak in the nation. The team is noted for its high-scoring offense and recent defensive improvements.

Despite the focus on his return and USF's success, Hodgson's name is also being linked to other coaching vacancies, including Providence. This situation highlights the challenge for rising coaches outside major conferences, where success can lead to recruitment by larger programs. Hodgson remains focused on his current team, stating his sole priority is winning basketball games.

Adding to USF's advantage, Louisville's star point guard Mikel Brown Jr. will miss the game due to a back injury. Brown's absence is statistically significant, as Louisville performs considerably worse in points per game and three-point shooting when he is not playing.