USF men’s basketball considered for Top 25 poll

Senior guard Chris Youngblood attempting free throws against Central Michigan. The Bulls have an opportunity to win its 10th straight game on Wednesday against Tulsa. ORACLE PHOTO/ARIANNA RENICK

After recording their ninth-straight conference win against Rice Saturday, the Bulls are getting recognition for their turnaround season. 

USF men’s basketball (17-5, 10-1 AAC) received seven votes on the newest iteration of the AP Poll, which was released Monday. It did not break the official rankings. 

The poll ranks the top 25 teams in the country. The ranking stems from 61 news writers and broadcasters who make their own individual ballots. 

Their ballots are compiled into one overall ranking released weekly.

The Bulls have never been officially ranked in the program’s 52-year history. 

Related: Bulls claim first place in the conference with comeback win over Charlotte

After starting the season 2-4, the Bulls have won 15 out of their last 16 games. The Bulls have won nine straight games since Jan. 7, including winning their first conference opener on Jan. 4.  

Their nine straight AAC wins are the longest in program history. It’s also their longest overall win streak since the 1982-83 season.

The Bulls are one of two American Athletic Conference teams who received votes. The other is Memphis which has eight votes.

USF completed a 20-point comeback to beat the then-No. 10 Tigers in January. The Bulls moved to the No. 1 seed in the American after beating Charlotte last Tuesday.

A win against Tulsa on Wednesday could set the program record for the longest win streak in a season. A matchup with No. 24 FAU follows on Sunday.