Florida International @ South Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2007 ) South Florida 77, Florida International 69

After taking a break for exams, South Florida returns to action on Monday when the Bulls host Florida International. USF hopes the return of a prized transfer will turn its fortunes in a positive direction.

Senior forward Isaiah Manderson sat out the opening six games of the season for unspecified reasons but returned to the Bulls' lineup and expects to see his role increased. The 6-10 transfer from Texas Tech made his season debut on Nov. 26, playing nine minutes. But on the team's two-game trip through North Carolina, Manderson logged more than 20 minutes in each game, connecting on 9-of-19 shots and pulling down 10 rebounds in the two games. "We know when Isaiah comes into the game, we have to go to him, because he gives us a low post scoring threat,'' USF coach Brian Gregory told reporters. "I’m pleased with that.''

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (4-4): The Jaguars are coming off consecutive victories following a decisive win against South Alabama, led by a career-high 26 points from Trejon Jacob. The sophomore guard is one of four active players averaging double figures in scoring. Eric Lockett leads the way at 17.4 points per game followed by Jacob (16.1), Willy Nunez, Jr. (13.3) and Brian Beard, Jr. (12.4).

ABOUT USF (4-5): Senior guard Stephan Jiggetts is closing in on reaching 1,000 career points. The transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson scored 863 points before joining USF and has opened up the season with 109, leaving him 28 from reaching the milestone. Jiggetts leads the Bulls in playing time at 32.3 minutes per game, which includes a 41-minute performance at Elon on Nov. 30 to become the first player to play at least 40 minutes in a game for USF since Jan. 31, 2015.

TIP-INS

1. This marks the first of five consecutive games at home for USF, ending with the start of play in the American Athletic Conference against Houston on Dec. 28.

2. FIU is seeking its first three-game winning streak since winning four consecutive games from Dec. 22, 2015 to Jan. 7, 2016.

3. USF leads the all-time series 12-2, including 8-0 at home, and this will be the first meeting since Nov. 26, 2007.

PREDICTION: USF 67, FIU 65