Hey folks, good morning from my laptop in Carrollwood.

USF hosts N.C. State in the first round of the NIT tonight.

—If the Bulls are going to advance, they’ll have to find a way to score against a pesky Wolfpack defense that limited opponents to 58.7 points over its last seven ACC games, writes J.P. Giglio of the Raleigh News & Observer.

—Speaking of the NIT, how did Miami not get invited? After USF lost to Georgetown in the Big East Tournament, many had the Bulls facing Miami early in the NIT. However, despite a strong showing in the ACC Tournament, the Hurricanes were left out of the mix, leaving Miami coach Frank Haith flabbergasted writes Greg Cote of in The Miami Herald.

—In case you missed Martin Fennelly’s column on Skip Holtz’s final day to relax before opening his first spring practice as USF’s head coach, click here to read Fennelly’s column from today’s Tampa Tribune.

—Holtz did receive some good news Monday when Port Charlotte receiver Alex Mut became the first player to verbally commit to the Bulls in the 2011 recruiting class. Mut attended USF’s Junior Day recently and impressed the coaching staff enough to get an offer. “I love everything about USF,’’ Mut told the Scout.com site that covers USF. “I always wanted to go to USF, so it wasn’t much of a decision.’‘

—Finally, you’ve still got time to sign up for TBO.com’s Bracket Challenge if you haven’t already. To play, click here.