The University of San Francisco men's basketball looks to get back into the win column when rival Santa Clara comes to the Hilltop. The Dons (11-6/0-2 WCC) and Broncos (14-2/1-0 WCC) will tip off at 8:00 p.m. and will be televised live on NBC Sports Bay Area.  Kate Scott and Dan Belluomini will have the call for NBC Sports. Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli will have the call courtside on the official home of USF Dons Basketball, KNRB 1050-AM.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Jan. 09, 2020 – 8:00 p.m.
Opponent: Santa Clara Broncos (14-2/1-0 WCC)
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
TV:  NBC Sports Bay Area
Talent: Kate Scott (play-by-play) and Dan Belluomini (analyst)
Radio:  KNBR 1050-AM
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play) and Jim Brovelli (analyst)
Live Stats: Statboradcast.com
 
USF AT A GLANCE
•  USF is 11-6 on the year.  After starting 7-0 the Dons are 4-6 and are riding a three-game losing streak, their longest of the season.
• Last time out: The Dons traveled to Portland where they were riding a 10-game road winning streak over the Pilots - that came to an end when Portland converted 19 USF turnovers into 14 points and defeated the Dons 76-65.  Jimbo Lull scored 20 to lead the Dons - foul trouble plagued the Dons as UP went 19-for-24 from the free throw line.
• The Dons return home where they are 8-3 on the year - but have lost two-straight.  At the friendly confines the Dons are averaging 83.7 points per game and shooting 44.7 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 72.5 points per game and 45.0 percent from the field.  Four players are averaging double figures for the Dons at home with Jamaree Bouyea and Charles Minlend averaging 15.5 ppg.
• Opening up WCC Play:  The Dons are 0-2 in WCC play for the first time since the 2011-12 season - 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, the Dons enter Saturday's contest with a NET ranking of 119 - they are fifth in the WCC.  Santa Clara is one of four teams with a top-100 NET ranking - they are 76. 
• Scoring Abundance:  USF is 29th in the nation in scoring average at 79.7 - they are 99th in scoring margin at +7.9.
• From the Field:  USF is shooting .456 percent from the field - they have three games this season where they have shot .500 or better three times this season. USF is 10-3 when shooting .400 or better, the three losses came at Hawaii, Harvard, and Portland.
• Second Half Success:  The Dons two leading scorers: Charles Minlend and Jamaree Bouyea are getting it done in the second half:  The two have scored 261 of their combined 483 points after the intermission - 54%.
 
THE SERIES VS. SANTA CLARA
Thursday night the Dons open the season-series with their rival in the South Bay, it is the 226th time the two sides have squared off. All-time, SCU owns a 116-109 advantage, but since 1949-50 the series is remarkably even. The Broncos own an 81-78 advantage during that span. The Dons were 5-4 against SCU under Kyle Smith, and tonight's game will be the first test against the Broncos for first-year Head Coach Todd Golden. USF split the season series last year, as both teams defended their home courts.
 
About the Broncos
Santa Clara is one of the hottest teams in the nation - riding a six game winning streak and having won nine of their last 10.  After defeating San Diego 80-63 on Saturday the Broncos enter Thursday's contest with a 14-2 overall record. On the road this season they are 0-2 however - the Broncos have played 14 contests at home already this season.  As a team, SCU is averaging 80.2 points per game and shooting 49.1 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 65.9 points per game and shooting 39.6 percent from the field.  The Broncos are averaging 35.9 rebounds per contest and are +2.6 in the rebound margin.  Santa Clara boasts a balanced offenseive attack with seven players averaging 8.2 points per game or better.  Leading the team in scoring is Trey Wertz at 12.4 points per contest.
 
Last Time Out Versus Santa Clara
The Dons and the Broncos last squared off at the Leavey Center, battling to a 68-65 nailbiter with Santa Clara coming out on top. The Broncos scored the final five points of the game to take the lead and the game. Frankie Ferrari paced the Dons with 17 points and nine assists while Jimbo Lull pitched in 12 points and Nate Renfro scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds. Josip Vrankic led SCU with 20 points and nine rebounds; he was one of four Santa Clara players to finish in double figures.
 
UP NEXT
The Dons go back on the road for a big test against Pacific.  The Dons and Tigers will tip off at 4:00 p.m. from the Alex G. Spanos Center. Saturday's game will be televised on NBC Sports Bay Area with Barry Topmkins and Doug Christie on the call. With the 49ers playoff schedule the Dons radio broadcast will be moved to KSFO 560-Am.