Tulsa Aims to Rebound Against South Florida in AAC Clash

TULSA, Okla. (Interstat) — The surging Tulsa Golden Hurricane look to get back on track when they host the South Florida Bulls in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the Donald Reynolds Center.

Tulsa (13-2) saw a seven-game win streak snapped in a 72-67 road loss to North Texas last Sunday. Despite the setback, the Golden Hurricane have been one of the nation’s early surprises, boasting a perfect 8-0 record at home this season. They are led by guard David Green, who is averaging 19.3 points over his last three games, including a 23-point performance in a win over Denver.

South Florida (9-6) arrives after a tight 74-70 road victory at North Texas on Wednesday. The Bulls have shown resilience, winning three of their last four, but face a steep challenge against a Tulsa team with strong defensive metrics at home.

The matchup features a compelling duel in the frontcourt. South Florida’s Izaiyah Nelson is playing at an elite level, averaging 22.2 points and 8.8 rebounds over his last five games. He posted a 23-point, 11-rebound, 5-block effort in a double-overtime loss to UAB on Jan. 4. Containing the 6-foot-10 forward will be a primary focus for Tulsa’s interior defense.

Tulsa’s balance has been key. In the loss to North Texas, Green scored 19 points, Miles Barnstable added 12 and Tylen Riley dished out five assists. The Golden Hurricane lead the all-time series 22-13 and won both meetings last season.

For South Florida, supporting Nelson will be critical. Joseph Pinion (14 points) and CJ Brown (11 points) provided key contributions in the midweek win. The Bulls will need similar complementary scoring to keep pace.

Tipoff is set for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. The game marks the start of a pivotal conference stretch for both teams as they jockey for position in the AAC standings.