TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The University of South Florida men’s basketball team continues to make history as they advanced their win streak to 13 games after defeating Southern Methodist University Sunday night.
With USF’s 79-68 victory over SMU, the Bulls now hold the second-longest active winning streak in the NCAA. The 13-game win streak is also the longest in program history, surpassing the 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season.
“We’ve been good for weeks and even months,” said Tyler Moss, a senior at USF. “We knew this was going to be a really special year for us. Getting national recognition is really important.”
As if the team couldn’t keep reaching milestones, on Monday, the basketball team cracked the Associated Press’ Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll at No. 25, marking the first time in program history that the Bulls reached the Top 25.
USF’s continued success has caused an uproar on campus as more students and fans have begun to show more support as the wins keep growing.
“Energy in the student section is unmatched,” Ariana Thibeault said. “You can definitely see it from photos, videos. Everyone always likes to comment on how wild we are.”
According to the university, the team’s back-to-back sellouts mark the first time in program history and the second time in team history that there were two sellouts in the same season.
“I have never felt so much energy,” USF senior Kayla Harrington told WFLA sports reporter Karen Loftus after the team clinched its 12-game win streak. “It feels like we are coming back like as a unity again, and being able to bond over that as a campus and as student life has been amazing.”
USF will travel to North Carolina to face the Charlotte 49ers on March 2 at 4 p.m. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN+.
