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Not to be lost among the hoopla surrounding USF's return to Kezar Pavilion tonight is the Dons have a game to play against a very good San Francisco State team which is off to its best start in over 70 years.

Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. and the game will be preceded by the women's contest between USF and San Jose State, which gets underway at 6:00 p.m. (see preview below).
 
USF has won two straight and stands 6-1 overall under first-year head coach Kyle Smith, while Paul Trevor's Gators have won their first eight games of the season heading into tonight's tilt at Kezar Pavilion. The Dons are off to their best start since the 1999-2000 team broke out of the gates with a 12-1 record and the 6-1 start under Smith is the best beginning for a first-year USF head coach since the 1980-81 season, when Pete Barry's team started 10-1.
 
The Gators, ranked fourth in the West Region, are one of 19 Division II teams which still have an unbeaten record. State is off to its best start since the 1941-42 season when the Gators won their first nine games of the season. Included among the Gator victories is a triple overtime, 93-90 thriller at Western Oregon, which was a Division II semifinalist last season.
 
Tonight's game will be counted on USF's overall record, although it is technically an exhibition game for San Francisco State. It marks the first time since Dec. 23, 1999 that USF has faced San Francisco State in a regular season game and the Dons have never lost to the Gators in 25 regular season meetings.
 
"San Francisco State is playing with a lot of confidence right now," said USF head coach Kyle Smith. "They are 8-0 with an impressive road win at Western Oregon and their margin of victory is something like 18 points a game. We know we will have our hands full.
 
The Dons enter the game having won each of its last two outings against Alcorn State (78-65) and Lamar (82-63) after suffering its only loss of the season at Eastern Washington on Nov. 27, 96-90. USF's scoring sheet has balanced itself over the last four games, as four Dons are now averaging in double figures at the seven-game mark of the season. Ronnie Boyce ranks fourth among WCC scoring leaders with a 19.7 per game average, while Chase Foster (12.1), Jordan Ratinho (11.2) and Charles Minlend (10.3) are also providing consistent scoring.
 
Ratinho and Minlend lead a productive group of USF reserves which are outscoring their opponents, 188-118 (+70) over the last six games.
 
USF ranks second in the WCC and seventh nationally in field goal percentage at 51 percent and have made at least half of their shots from the floor in each of the last five games. The Dons shot 50 percent of better from the field in just six games all of last season. The team leads the WCC and ranks 21st nationally in three-point field goal percentage at 40.7.
 
USF's scoring average of 80.4 ranks third in the WCC.
 
The Gators are averaging 84.3 points an outing and are allowing just 66.7 to their opponents. State's opponents have managed to connect on just 35.2 percent of their shots from the floor, which is the second-best field goal defense in the nation among all Division II teams. The Gators also have the third most steals (96) in the nation early in the season.
 
Warren Jackson, last year's CCAA Newcomer of the Year, leads the Gators in scoring with a 18.8 per game average. The Gators are also getting solid production out of senior guard Coley Aspay, who is averaging 14.5 points a game, and senior forward AJ Kahlon, who is scoring at a 12.4 clip. Aspay ranks second nationally among Division II players in total steals with 27 while Kahlon has five double-doubles in eight games this season. Former Marin Catholic High School standout and Novato native Nick Calcaterra is averaging 7.6 points in his seven contests this season.
 
Tonight's game also marks USF's first game at Kezar Pavilion since March 4, 1958. To commemorate USF's return to its original home, the Dons will be wearing throwback jerseys from that era and both teams will also wear 1950 length shorts. Concession items such as hot dogs, soda and popcorn will be offered at the 1950's friendly price of 50 cents and fans will be treated to a sock hop dance contest at halftime.
 
All fans are encouraged to dress in 1950's attire.
 
USF will pay tribute to the "Legends of Kezar" by honoring members of its teams which made three consecutive Final Four appearances from 1955-57. Members of those teams will be on hand take photos with fans and the NCAA Championship trophies prior to the start of the men's game.
 
"You can feel the history when you walk into Kezar," said Smith. "It reminds me a little of the Palestra in Philadelphia. It should be a tremendous night and an outstanding game."
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