The South Florida Bulls, boasting a 16-8 overall record and a 9-3 mark in the American Athletic Conference, head into Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena to face the Florida Atlantic Owls, who are struggling with a 14-11 record and a 6-6 conference standing. With the Bulls sitting at 58 in the NET rankings and the Owls at 113, this matchup has real consequences for both teams' tournament hopes, particularly for Florida Atlantic, who are 0-3 against Quad 1 opponents and 1-4 against Quad 2 foes.
Florida Atlantic Owls' Struggles Against Top Teams
The game is set for February 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, with streaming available on ESPN+.
The South Florida Bulls have been consistent this season, with a recent form of 3-1 in their last four games, including a 75-68 win over the Tulane Green Wave. They boast a 2-3 record against Quad 1 opponents and are 3-2 against Quad 2 teams, which places them firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Bulls are averaging 73.4 points per game, with their leading scorer, Tyler Harris, contributing 18.1 points per contest. With their NET ranking of 58, the Bulls are in a good position but need to keep winning to stay ahead of other bubble teams.
The Florida Atlantic Owls, meanwhile, are in dire need of a turnaround, having lost their last five games, including a tough 83-78 defeat to the SMU Mustangs. Their 14-11 record and 6-6 conference mark have them sitting in the middle of the American Athletic Conference pack, but their 0-3 record against Quad 1 opponents and 1-4 mark against Quad 2 teams have severely hindered their tournament chances. The Owls are scoring an average of 77.3 points per game, with their top scorer, Alijah Martin, averaging 19.5 points per contest. With a NET ranking of 113, the Owls must start winning quality games to have any hope of making the tournament.
Key Matchups
The matchup between the South Florida Bulls and the Florida Atlantic Owls will be a clash of styles, with the Bulls' methodical offense, which averages 73.4 points per game, facing off against the Owls' faster-paced attack, which scores 77.3 points per contest. The Bulls have a significant edge in terms of defensive efficiency, allowing just 66.2 points per game, while the Owls give up an average of 73.1 points per contest. The pace of the game matters, as the Bulls prefer a slower tempo, with an average possession length of 18.5 seconds, while the Owls like to push the ball, with an average possession length of 16.2 seconds.
CHD Scout Prediction
South Florida
81
Florida Atlantic
81
For the South Florida Bulls, Tyler Harris is the player to watch, having scored 20 or more points in three of his last five games, including a 25-point outing against the Tulane Green Wave. The Bulls will also rely on Selton Miguel, who is averaging 12.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. For the Florida Atlantic Owls, Alijah Martin is the top scorer, with 19.5 points per contest, and has been on a hot streak, scoring 22 or more points in four of his last six games. The Owls will also look to Bryan Greenlee, who is averaging 14.2 points and 4.1 assists per game.
Tournament Stakes
The CHD Scout prediction has the Florida Atlantic Owls winning by a narrow 0.5-point margin, with a 51.8% win probability. This prediction suggests a closely contested game, with both teams having a good chance of emerging victorious. Given the Owls' desperate need for a quality win and the Bulls' desire to solidify their tournament position, this game has all the makings of a thriller.
This game has significant tournament implications for both teams. A win for the South Florida Bulls would boost their Quad 2 record to 4-2 and strengthen their NCAA Tournament resume. For the Florida Atlantic Owls, a victory would be their first against a Quad 2 opponent and would significantly improve their chances of making the tournament. With the Owls currently sitting at 0-3 against Quad 1 opponents and 1-4 against Quad 2 teams, a win over the Bulls would be a much-needed quality victory.