TAMPA — For the record, the future got off to a slow start. It dawdled, it teased, it looked like it might never arrive.They had been playing basketball here for 50-some-odd years and, not once, did the world look at USF and see a Top 25 team.Until now. Until Monday’s Associated Press and coaches polls were unveiled . Until performance finally caught up with potential.And now that the future is here, every tomorrow seems better than yesterday.“Oh, it absolutely does,” USF athletic director Michael Kelly said when I asked if Monday’s ranking said something about the direction this program is heading. “We’ve got a program that’s been around for over 50 years, and this is the first time we’ve been able to crack that (poll) and it shows great recognition of what’s been accomplished this year. And it shows that it can be done here.”Let’s face it, a No. 25 ranking would not be news in Bloomington or Los Angeles or Baton Rouge or Raleigh. But it’s cause for celebration in Tampa Bay, where big-time college basketball has always required a fertile imagination.Rankings were debated in other college towns. March Madness showed up in other arenas.Or so the narrative went for decade upon decade.“This is a special place, man. I say it all the time and I promise I’m not just trying to throw stats at you. It’s the fastest-growing university in the country,” coach Amir Abdur-Rahim said in his news conference Sunday after beating SMU to improve to 21-5 and clinch at least a share of the American Athletic Conference regular-season title.“It’s Tampa Bay’s home for hoops. You used to have to go to Miami or Orlando to get a good basketball game. Well, now you can drive 10, 15, 20 minutes and you can get pro-style offense with pro-style players that compete at a high level. It’s special. It’s special. We only want to add to it.”That’s the best part of Monday’s news. While it’s tempting to celebrate as if it is validation for every coach, player or fan who has walked through the doors at the Yuengling Center in the past, it is actually more about the future. What Abdur-Rahim and his players have done is shown the world what is possible around Fowler Avenue.This is a team that was completely remade in one year’s time. Of the 15 players on the roster, 12 are new to the program.There are no major recruits, no conference leaders, no recognizable names to anyone beyond the most devoted fans.The Bulls have won by dedicating themselves to each other and to Abdur-Rahim’s system.“What he has really preached from the first interview, to his first day here, and even today, is we are going to keep getting better and better and better at basketball because that’s what we’re here to do,” Kelly said. “We are going to be the most connected team and what he meant by that, not only in terms of his staff, but his players believing in each other.“Ultimately, that connectedness has extended to the campus community and what’s exciting to see is now it’s building further to the Tampa Bay community and getting national recognition.”As thrilling as the day may be, it is more about reputation than substance. A ranking in late February lasts only until a new poll next week.The greater challenge is to keep this going. To get a road win in Charlotte on Saturday to clinch the regular-season title and put themselves in better position for an NCAA at-large bid.The victory against SMU may have gotten USF recognition from voters, but there is more work to be done with the computer metrics. The Bulls have moved to No. 84 in the NCAA’s NET rankings, but that may not be enough if they do not win the conference tournament and get an automatic NCAA berth. With three regular-season games remaining, USF may need to win out to get in the neighborhood for an at-large bid.“The job is not finished. Job is not finished,” Abdur-Rahim said Sunday. “We’ve got a big-time game coming up on Saturday at Charlotte.”For at least this day, however, worries about computer rankings and tournament bids can be set aside.This group of USF players has done something never seen around here, and applause is warranted.This is their moment. Their recognition. Their accomplishment.And it’s all our pleasure. John Romano can be reached at jromano@tampabay.com . Follow @romano_tbtimes. • • • Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Instagram , X and Facebook .