USF's NCAA tournament game in Buffalo is a homecoming for coach Bryan Hodgson

South Florida was placed in Buffalo for the NCAA tournament, a return home for coach Bryan Hodgson, and the Bulls will face Louisville on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

South Florida's placement in Buffalo for the men's NCAA tournament is a personal homecoming for head coach Bryan Hodgson, a Western New York native. Hodgson held a news conference at KeyBank Center, about 70 miles from where he grew up, and said dozens of family members will attend Thursday's game. The Bulls earned the automatic bid by winning the American Athletic Conference title and enter the tournament riding an 11-game winning streak. This is Hodgson's first NCAA tournament appearance as a head coach and the program's first trip since 2012. Key facts: - South Florida will face Louisville on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET; USF is the No. 11 seed and Louisville is the No. 6 seed. - Hodgson is from Olean, N.Y., and said about 38 family members plan to attend the Buffalo game. - The Bulls won the AAC championship over Wichita State, which was USF's first AAC tournament title and extended an 11-game win streak. - Hodgson is in his third year as a head coach and this marks his first NCAA tournament appearance in that role; his father, who has dementia, will be able to see him coach in person. - Hodgson spoke about being placed in foster care, later being adopted, and recalled a childhood incident that left physical scars; he credited his adoptive parents and his faith for their support. Summary: The selection of Buffalo brings a personal, full-circle moment for Hodgson and a notable setting for South Florida's return to the NCAA tournament. The immediate next event is USF's first-round game against Louisville on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET; further developments will follow based on the game's outcome.