Coach George Kiefer ensured the Bulls’ strength of schedule won’t keep them out of the NCAA Tournament, scheduling six teams that made the tournament last season. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

After failing to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight seasons, USF men’s soccer coach George Kiefer scheduled a tough slate of games for the 2015 season.

USF will play 14 of its 17 games this season against opponents who had a winning record last season, including six teams that made the NCAA Tournament. 

“The schedule is designed to meet the expectations of our players. They want to play good teams so we have met that want,” Kiefer said in a statement. “As a group we are looking forward to the 2015 journey.”

Beginning with Georgetown on Aug. 30, USF will begin a three-game stretch where it will also play Notre Dame and Indiana. All three teams finished the 2014 season ranked in the top 20 teams in the nation according to topdrawersoccer.com.

Two Bulls take talents overseas

USF men’s basketball players Ruben Guerrero and Nehemias Morillo will return home for the summer as they prepare to represent their countries in international basketball tournaments.

Following his first season with the Bulls, Guerrero will play for the Under-20 Spanish National Team in the European Championships from July 7-19 in Italy.

Guerrero previously played for the U-18 Spanish National Team before coming to the U.S. 

After averaging 10.1 points per game as a starter for USF last season, Morillo will play for the U-25 Dominican Republic National Team, which will play in the Pan American Games. The tournament will take place July 21-25 in Toronto, Canada. 

Former USF receiver signs with Falcons

Former USF receiver Carlton Mitchell lasted only two seasons with the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the sixth round in the 2010 NFL Draft, but will now have another chance to stick in the NFL after signing with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver has caught three passes in his brief NFL career, but impressed the Falcons enough in a minicamp tryout to earn a contract. 

But despite signing the deal, Mitchell will still have to impress the Falcons coaching staff enough to survive the next round of cuts before stepping back on the gridiron on Sundays.