South Florida Basketball Eyes Upset Against Louisville in NCAA Tournament South Florida (USF) basketball has emerged as a top contender for an upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament, thanks to its 11th seed in the East and a strong matchup against No. 6 seed Louisville. The Bulls, who claimed both the American regular season and tournament titles, will face the Cardinals in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday. USF enters the game on a 12-game winning streak, bolstered by the presence of conference player of the year Izaiyah Nelson, a 6-foot-10 forward averaging nearly 20 points per game in a double-double role. Louisville, however, faces uncertainty in its backcourt due to the injury status of freshman Mikel Brown Jr., who averages over 18 points per game but has been sidelined by a back injury. Analysts have highlighted this as a potential weakness for the Cardinals, while praising USF’s depth and resilience. ESPN’s Jay Bilas, a prominent voice in college basketball, has selected USF to advance over Louisville. In his tournament predictions, Bilas emphasized the physicality of the matchup, noting that both teams prioritize three-point shooting, which could lead to a high number of long rebounds. He also pointed to Brown’s absence as a key factor, stating that USF’s toughness makes it a worthwhile upset pick. Despite his confidence in USF, Bilas projected Michigan State to defeat either team in the Sweet 16. CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter echoed Bilas’ sentiment, calling the Bulls a strong underdog. Trotter praised USF’s offensive firepower, citing sharpshooting from Joseph Pinion and Wes Enis, while also highlighting Nelson’s ability to dominate on both ends of the floor.#south_florida #louisville #mikel_brown_jr #usf #isaiyah_nelson
