The number next to USF's name may be lower, but the Bulls expectations heading into the NCAA tournament are just as high as ever.

The 11th-seed University of South Florida women's basketball team opens play in "The Big Dance" Friday in Tallahassee against 6th-seeded Missouri.

Fernandez says the Bulls were disappointed to receive a much lower seed than expected, but he added that the issue hasn't been addressed since Selection Monday.

It's the fourth time in five years that the Bulls have qualified for the NCAA tournament, and the third consecutive season they'll be playing in a first round matchup between the 6 and 11 seeds.

USF has won a first round game in each of the last three NCAA tourneys it's been a part of.

For head coach Jose Fernandez, the key to success is playing with a sense of urgency on every possession.

"Right now, our kids know that the next game they play could be the last one of the season," Fernandez said.  "So I think our kids are focused and they’re really excited."

Fernandez says his Bulls, who are 24-8 this season, are refreshed thanks to the 11-day break between their loss to unbeaten UConn in the AAC title game and the NCAA opener.

While first team all-conference members Kitija Laksa and Maria Jespersen are his only players with significant NCAA tournament experience, Jose believes the entire Bulls roster is ready for the big moment.

"They’ve played a lot of basketball this year," Fernandez said.  "They didn’t have experience- they never played in a tournament like the Bahamas or Vegas, and at Connecticut, and the conference tournament.  So I think the experiences that they’ve had during the season will prepare them now for the postseason."

The Bulls will need to be sharp in their first ever meeting against Missouri, which finished 21-0 and third in the SEC standings.

The Tigers ship is captained by the second leading scorer in the conference, Sophie Cunningham, (17.7 points per game), an all-around player who shoots close to 40 percent from long distance.

"The biggest thing we’ve got to do is defend the arc- defend the three," Fernandez said.  "Limit them to one shot because the three-point shot is such a big part of what they do offensively."

Another key will be keeping Mizzou off the free throw line. 

The Tigers are second in the nation there, shooting at an 80 percent clip from the charity stripe.

Friday's tipoff between the Bulls and Tigers is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday.

Fernandez says he doesn't have any good luck charms on him ready for the St. Patrick's Day game.

If the Bulls can beat Mizzou, they'd face the winner of 3rd-seeded Florida State and 14th-seeded Western Illinois in a round of 32 matchup on Monday.