AAC Men’s Basketball Tournament: #8 USF Vs. #9 UConn

American Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament:

Who: #8-seed USF (19-12, 8—10) vs. #9-seed UConn (15-16, 6-12)

Time: 1 p.m. on ESPNU

Where: Fedex Forum, Memphis, Tenn.

Round Three. FIGHT!

For the third time this season, the South Florida Bulls will face the Connecticut Huskies in the 8/9 matchup of the AAC tournament.

The teams split the first two games with both teams winning at home. The Bulls earned just their third win all-time over the Huskies in early January 76-68 after being down eight at the half. Newly crowned AAC Defensive Player of the Year Laquicny Rideau scored a team-high 25 points and added eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the comeback effort. Third team all-AAC guard David Collins scored 17 second half points to lead the charge back as well.

In the second game earlier this month, Collins had a chance to tie the game with three free throws with three seconds remaining, but missed the second attempt before inadvertently making the third. USF had one last chance with seconds left, but a turnover ended the threat as the Bulls lost 60-58.

The Bulls may have caught a break with Gilbert not traveling to Memphis. He’s the Huskies’ assist leader and finished third on the team in scoring. Tampa Bay Times (a subscription-based newspaper) reporter Joey Knight reported that Gilbert is in concussion protocol. He scored in double digits in both games against the Bulls.

For USF, it remains to be seen if Rideau (foot) will suit up, but he did travel to Memphis. Head coach Brian Gregory remained optimistic about Rideau’s chances to play. He’s missed the last two games nursing the injury.

If USF wins they’ll face top-seeded 11th-ranked Houston tomorrow at noon on ESPN2.