The University of San Francisco men's basketball team is back on the road this Saturday when they travel to the Alex G. Spanos Center to tangle with the Pacific Tigers.  The Dons (12-6/1-2 WCC) are coming off a convincing 80-61 win over rival Santa Clara on Thursday night. The Tigers (14-4/2-0 WCC) were off Thursday night after defeating Mary's in four overtimes at home last Saturday.  This Saturday's contest will be televised on NBC Sports Bay Area with Barry Tompkins and Doug Christie on the call.  Due to the 49ers playoff game on Saturday, the Dons radio broadcast will be moved to KSFO 560-AM with Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli on the call.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Jan. 11, 2020 – 4:00 p.m.
Opponent: Pacific Tigers (14-4/2-0 WCC)
Site: Alex G. Spanos Center
TV:  NBC Sports Bay Area
Talent: Barry Tompkins (play-by-play) and Doug Christie (analyst)
Radio:  KSFO 560-AM
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play) and Jim Brovelli (analyst)
Live Stats: PacificTigers.com
 
USF AT A GLANCE
•  USF is 12-6 on the year and 1-2 in the WCC.  After starting 7-0 the Dons are 5-6.  They ended a season-long three-game losing streak on Thursday defeating Santa Clara 80-61 at home. 
• Last time out: The Dons led for 38 minutes taking down rival Santa Clara 80-61.  USF was led by Charles Minlend's career-high 25 points and freshman Josh Kunen's second career double-double (13 pts, 12 reb.)  The Dons outrebounded the Broncos 45-26 and held Santa Clara to season lows in field goals (19) and field goal percentage (32.8).
• Block Party: In the win over the Broncos, USF had 12 blocks as a team - it us unknown when the last time USF had 10 or more in a game but it precedes the 2009-10 season. The known high by the Dons since then was eight against Loyola Marymount on Feb. 4, 2017.
• Opening up WCC Play:  The Dons are 1-2 in WCC play and avoided falling to 0-3 with the win over the Broncos. USF has started 0-2 five times since the 1985 season (88-89, 94-95, 99-00, 04-05, and 11-12). 
• The NET:  In the latest update to the NCAA Evaluation Tool, following the win over Santa Clara the Dons climbed 18 spots in the NET ranking - up to 103.  Pacific enters Saturday's contest with a ranking of 122. 
• Scoring Abundance:  USF is 29th in the nation in scoring average at 79.7 - they are 99th in scoring margin at +8.6.
• From the Field:  USF is shooting .451 percent from the field - they have four games this season where they have shot .500 or better three times this season. USF is 11-3 when shooting .400 or better, the three losses came at Hawaii, Harvard, and Portland. In the second half against the Broncos the Dons shot 62.5% (11-for-32)
• 1000 Point Duo:  Jordan Ratinho (1,141) and Charles Minlend (1,050) give the Dons their first 1,000 point duo since Manny Quezada and Dior Lowhorn did it in 2009.
 
THE SERIES VS. PACIFIC
Saturday will be the 105th time that USF and Pacific will square off - though the Tigers have been conference rivals for 20 years at various times, the Dons and Tigers are one of USF's most consistent opponents historically.  All-time the Dons own a 74-30 record against UOP - in Stockton the Dons are 28-21, at home USF is 41-8 and at a neutral site the Dons own a 5-1 advantage in the series that dates back to the 1911-12 season. In the first ever contest the Tigers defeated the Dons 19-15 in Stockton.  However, USF has won six-straight over Pacific and 12 of the last 13 matchups.  Last season, the Dons defeated the Tigers 53-52 on Jan. 17, 2019 at Alex G. Spanos Center in the only game of the season between the two teams.
 
About the Tigers
Pacific enters Saturday's game rested having Thursday off.  Their last time out they defeated Saint Mary's 107-99 in a marathon, four overtime contest.  The Tigers are 14-4 overall and 2-0 in the WCC.  They have won nine of their last 10.  They are averaging 71.3 points per game and shooting 46.3 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 62.2 points per game and shooting 38.6 percent from the field.  UOP is a tremendous rebounding team averaging 37.8 a game and are +10.4 in rebound margin.  Jahlil Tripp leads the team in points per game (14.5) and rebounds per game (8.2).  He is one of three players who averages double figures for the Tigers. 
 
Last Time Out Versus Pacific
With less than 42 seconds in regulation the Dons trailed the Tigers by three, Jordan Ratinho tied the game up with a three point play with less than 30 seconds remaining - three of his team-high 15.  Charles Minlend hit the first of two free throws with 1.2 remaining to give the Dons a one point lead.  USF was held to a season-low 53 points.  They held the Tigers to zero players in double figures.
 
UP NEXT
USF returns home for a contest against Loyola Marymount on Jan. 18.  The Dons and Lions will tip off at 1:00 p.m. as part of a twin-billing with the women following the men.  It is part of Jesuit Basketball Spotlight.