Bryan Hodgson’s celebrated homecoming comes with both deeply painful and joyously uplifting reminders of the South Florida’s full-circle journey in preparing to make his NCAA Tournament coaching debut not far from his Jamestown, New York, roots. There are the mental and physical scars — two burn marks on the back of his legs — Hodgson carries as a result of the physical abuse he endured as a child. More significant and uplifting for the 38-year-old is what followed. Placed in foster care at the age of 2, he was adopted by a loving family that allowed Hodgson to pursue what became a passion for basketball. South Florida opens the tournament on Thursday against the East Region's No.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 18, 2026 21:46 UTC