After USF men’s basketball’s road victory over UCF in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday, Bulls coach Amir Abdur-Rahim sat in front of the media and addressed one glaring discrepancy. 

“If this joint was in the Yuengling Center, it would’ve been jumping,” Abdur-Rahim said. 

The energy from USF’s student section – affectionately called the “SoFlo Rodeo” – has been evident this season. Enough for the head coach to repeatedly take notice. Enough to sell-out three consecutive home games. 

The preparation for Sunday’s game against VCU was no exception. 

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Students began lining up at Gate D of the Yuengling Center hours before they could begin claiming tickets, which started at 5 p.m.

By 3:45 p.m., roughly 75 students were waiting. A couple of hours later, there were hundreds. 

About 50 pizzas and 50 cases of water were provided for students as they bared the afternoon sun, according to SoFlo Rodeo. Some tossed footballs and bean bags to pass the time. 

The first 190 students in line were given a wristband to sit in the lower level of the arena. 

They were excited about USF men’s basketball – something that has been lacking from the program in recent years. 

Sophomore accounting major Ethan Reites said that some fans were waiting since noon – nearly eight hours before a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. 

“It’s been very exciting,” Reites said. “Especially compared to years past like last year, it was mostly dead.” 

Related: USF men’s basketball takes down UCF in physical NIT battle

It’s USF’s first home postseason game since the NIT in 2010 – a 58-57 loss against North Carolina State. 

Reites mentioned the energy and intensity of a vocal student section, an experience which he says he can “hardly speak” when he leaves. 

A formidable home atmosphere has seemed to work in the Bulls’ favor. USF is 15-2 when playing at the Yuengling Center this season, having not lost a home game since Maine on Nov. 22. 

Senior mechanical engineering major Zach Wogen was one of the first students in line.

“I started coming early because I wanted to sit lower because they gave out the wristband,” Wogen said. “I’ve got nothing else better to do, might as well get here early and get good seats for a game that matters.” 

He recounted his time watching the Bulls in previous seasons. 

“I went to a game during the COVID-19 year,” he said. “It was bad. Other than that, I haven’t been to many games because we’ve been kind of garbage.” 

This is a team that has previously only seen one winning season in a decade. Now, fans can’t seem to get enough. 

“It’s been really good, surprisingly good,” Wogen said about the atmosphere. “Ever since the FAU game it’s been pretty packed, it’s been crazy.” 

Men’s basketball will face off against VCU in the second round of the NIT Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and Bulls Unlimited.