TAMPA, Fla. – There were many numbers that stood out in the Bulls’ 80-74 win over Tulsa at the Yuengling Center on Sunday afternoon. None bigger, though, than these two: 19 assists and 7 turnovers.
To first-year coach Bryan Hodgson, those figures served as indicators to how each player was committed to each other. Frankly, that has been a prevailing theme this season.
“We have a very, very unselfish basketball team,” he said.
Hodgson, who was an assistant under Nate Oats at Alabama for four seasons prior to taking the top job at Arkansas State, summoned the wisdom of Crimson Tide softball coach Pat Murphy. Murphy has spoken to numerous groups about mudita, which is unselfish joy or being pleased for the success others achieve.
Murphy addressed Oats’ team at the beginning of conference play during the 2023-24 season, and spoke about mudita and how it could help propel a team to heights beyond what most anyone might have thought possible. The message must have sunk in, because Oats, Hodgson and Alabama went to the Final Four for the first time in program history.
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“I think our guys genuinely do that,” said Hodgson, following a win that lifted the Bulls (16-8/8-3) into first place in the American by virtue of defeating the Golden Hurricane (20-4/8-3) twice. “I think they get more fired up about their teammates’ success than their personal success. That usually leads to good things in a team sport. It is an extremely selfless group, and we have a player-led program. Ultimately, that is what you want as a coach.”
Believe it or not, there are only six regular season games remaining in this entertaining 2025-26 campaign that has seen the Bulls work the scoreboard (89.9 points per game) at what would be a program-record pace. Of course, a lot could happen in six games. Hence, do not expect anyone in the Muma Center to be overjoyed at this point. Pleased by what has taken place? Sure. Little will matter, though, unless the selfless attitude Hodgson spoke about continues to prevail through the room and on the hardwood.
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“There’s a lot of basketball that has to be played and there’s a lot of good teams in this league,” he said, noting upcoming trips to Wichita State and FAU. “One at a time.”
The Bulls will meet the Shockers on Wednesday evening (6:30/ESPN+) followed by the matchup in Boca to face the Owls next Sunday afternoon (2:00/ESPN2 or ESPNU). USF lost to Wichita State in overtime, 86-85, at the Yuengling Center on January 18 and a week later defeated FAU at home, 89-75.
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