The 21-6 Dons are back in action on Saturday night when they travel south on the 101 to take on longtime rival Santa Clara at the Leavey Center.  The Dons are 9-3 in the WCC and are looking to win number 10 in the conference for the for just the fourth time since 1981.  Saturday's game is slated for an 8:00 p.m. tip and will be televised on NBC Sports California with Glen Kuiper and Dan Belluomini calling the action live.  Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli will have the call on the radio on 1550-AM The GAME, the official home of USF Dons Basketball.
 

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Feb. 23 2019 – 8:00 p.m. PST
Opponent: Santa Clara Broncos (14-13, 6-7 WCC)
Site: Leavey Center (Santa Clara, Calif.)
Television: NBC Sports California | ROOT Sports Northwest | AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain | TheW.tv (out-of-market)
Talent: Glen Kuiper (play-by-play) and Dan Belluomini (analyst)
Radio:  1550-AM The GAME
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play) and Jim Brovelli (analyst)
Live Stats: USFDons.com
Game Notes: USF at SCU
 
USF AT A GLANCE

• At 21-6, USF is off to their best start through 27 games since 1981-82.  USF has started the season 21-6 or better 10 times, with the previous nine teams all advancing to the post season.
• After Saturday's win over Portland, USF won their 20th game in 26 tries, the fastest USF has won 20-games since the 1981 season when the Dons did it in their 24th game.
• USF is 6-4 on the road this year.  They average 70.1 points per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field.  Charles Minlend leads the team on the road, the redshirt sophomore averages 16.3 ppg game.
• With three games to play in the regular season, the Dons are currently in third in the WCC.  They trail BYU by a half game.
• Following last Saturday's win over Portland, head coach Kyle Smith became the first coach in USF history to win at least 20-games in his first three seasons at the helm of the Dons.  The Dons are 63-36 under Smith.
• Senior Frankie Ferrari is seven points away from becoming the 36th player in USF history to score 1,000 career points. Ferrari scored a career-high 23 points in the win over BYU.
• Seniors Nate Renfro and Matt McCarthy are moving ever closer to the career games played record at USF.  Renfro has played in 127 games, while McCarthy has played in 126.  The record of 128 was set by Angelo Caloiaro (2008-12). 

 
THE SERIES
On Saturday the Dons will wrap up their season-series with their rival in the South Bay.  Saturday night's game will be the 225th time the two side have squared off. All-time SCU owns a 115-109 advantage in the series. However, since 1949-50 the series is remarkably even with the Broncos owning an 80-78 advantage in the series.  During that same time the Dons are 33-42 against the Broncos in Santa Clara.  At the Leavey Center, USF is 9-9.  Under Kyle Smith the Dons are 5-3 against the Broncos.  USF is currently riding a two-game winning streak after defeating the Broncos 78-72 on Feb. 9, 2019 on the Hilltop.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS
The Broncos were off Thursday night and enter Saturday's contest against the Dons with a 14-13 overall record and are 6-7 in WCC play.  At the Leavey Center the Broncos are 10-6.  Over the last 10, the Broncos are 4-6.  Their last time out they defeated Pacific 64-59 at home. For the year, SCU is averaging 68.7 ppg and shooting 44.7 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 70.8 ppg and shooting 42.9 percent from the field.  Four players are averaging 10 or more, leading the team is Tahj Eaddy who is averaging 14.4 points per contest. 
 
LAST GAME AGAINST PORTLAND
On Feb. 9 the Broncos and Dons renewed their long standing rivalry at the Hilltop.  The Dons were tested by their rivals but ultimately came away with the 78-73 win.  Jimbo Lull led the Dons with 16 points, he was one of four Dons to finish in double figures.  It was the free throw line that helped the Dons seal the win - USF finished the night 20-for-24 from the charity stripe including a 9-for-11 stretch in the second half to put the game out of reach.  The Broncos made the game interesting with three minutes to play, cutting the Dons second half lead to three which forced Kyle Smith to use a timeout. Lull got the Dons back on track fighting for an offensive board and getting the put back to give the Dons a six point cushion.  From there Ferrari hit six of seven from the free throw line to put the game away for good.
 
UP NEXT
The Dons will return home for their final homestand of the 2018-19 season starting with a game against San Diego.  Thursday's game is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start time, it will be streamed live on TheW.tv.  Limited tickets remain for Thursday's game and can be purchased on Dons Ticket Central.