The University of San Francisco men's basketball team begins West Coast Conference play on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. when San Diego comes to the Hilltop.  Thursday's game will be streamed live on the WCC Network with Pat Olson calling the game from War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.  He will also have the call on the official home of USF Dons Basketball, KNBR 1050-AM.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Dec. 31, 2020 – 2:00 p.m. PT   
Opponent: San Diego Toreros (1-3, 0-0 WCC)
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
TV:  WCC Network
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play)
Radio:  KNBR 1050-AM
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play)
Live Stats: USFDons.com

USF AT A GLANCE
• USF wrapped up non-conference play with a 68-65 win over Grand Canyon in Las Vegas on Dec. 20.  The Dons did a tremendous job in the second half of limiting the Lopes strong interior play.  GCU had 20 of its 28 points in the paint in the first half.  In the second USF held strong and also found its stroke from beyond the arc, shooting 44.4 (8-for-18) from long distance.
 
• 100 Minutes: Following USF's win over the Antelopes, the Dons have led their opponents for 239:25 - their opponents have led for a total of 139:16.  USF has five games this season where they have led for 32 or more minutes. In those games they are 4-1 - the lone loss was the stunner at Berkeley, where Cal won on a last second 3-point field goal.
 
• 13 Who Played 10: USF enters West Coast Conference play having played 10 non-conference games.  They are one of just 13 teams in the nation to say that.  The Dons played those 10 games from Nov. 25 through Dec. 20.  USF played just one game at home, two in the state of California. BYU and SMC are also payed 10 non-conference games.
 
• Travel Itinerary:  In non-conference play the Dons traveled a total of 4,615 miles. Just short of the 5,182 the Dons traveled in Todd Golden's first year. The record in the last five years: 5,486 in 2018-19 thanks to a trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
 
• Conference Openers: USF has been members of the WCC and any other conference iteration since its inception dating back to the 1952-53 season. In conference openers USF is 36-29 (.554).  They are 3-5 against San Diego in conference openers, the last one on Dec. 28, 2017 with USF falling 73-63 at Jenny Craig Pavilion.  USF's most common opponent to open conference play - Saint Mary's at 13 times. USF has played three overtime games to open league play.  Most points scored: 103 in overtime against USD in 2006-07, fewest points, 39 in a loss against San Jose State in 1961-62. Most lopsided win: 37 - 97-60 vs. Nevada 1971-72.  
 
• Dons From Distance:  The Dons rank third in the nation in 3-point field goal attempts with 312, they are fifth in 3-point field goals made per game at 11.7, 58th in 3-point field goal percentage at 37.5%, and second in made 3-point field goals with 117.  All of those numbers lead the West Coast Conference.  They are also exceptional at 3-point field goal defense - the Dons are 21st in the nation and tops in the conference at holding their opponents to 26.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
 
• Offense/Defense: The Dons rank 120th in the nation and fourth in the WCC in points per game, averaging 76.1. They are 137th in the nation and sixth in the WCC in points allowed, surrendering 68.1 ppg. The +8.0 scoring margin is third best in the WCC and 120th in the nation.  USF is shooting 44.0 percent from the field while holding their opponents to 41.4 percent from the floor.
 
• Dons Mourn the Loss of an Icon: On Christmas Day, Naismith Hall of Famer and center piece of USF's two championships, K.C. Jones passed away. Jones was a legendary figure that won everywhere he went.  He combined to win 10 titles with teammate and longtime friend Bill Russell (two NCAA Championships, eight NBA Championships).  Inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1989, his jersey hangs in the rafters at both War Memorial at the Sobrato Center and the TD Garden, home of the Celtics. He is one of just three players to go 8-0 in the NBA Finals.
 
• Talking About Height: Yes, the Dons lost 7'0" foot center Jimbo Lull - but USF still has plenty of height.  According to KenPom.com USF is 45th in the nation in average height at 77.9".  Overall average height is computed by taking the average listed height of every player on the team, weighted by minutes played. Players that have played less than 10% of their team's minutes are not included. In effective height, another metric by KenPom.com, the Dons rank 29th.   Effective height is the average of the center and power forward position. USF has seven players at 6'8" or taller.  Samba Kane tops the squad at 7'0".
 
Series Versus San Diego
Thursday will be the 85th time the Dons and Toreros square off.  All-time, USF owns a 43-41 advantage in the series that goes back to Nov. 28, 1980 when the Dons defeated the Toreros 78-63. At home, USF is 24-14 against USD.  Last season, USF and USD played just once with the Dons winning 69-44 at Jenny Craig Pavilion.  The last time these two teams played at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center, USD shocked the Dons 91-90 in overtime on Feb. 28, 2019.
 
About the Toreros
USD is in the third full season, fourth overall of the Sam Scholl era.  The Toreros were picked to finish ninth in the preseason coaches' poll.  USD brings back six letter winners, including two starters, from last year's squad.  The Toreros are 1-3 on the year and 1-2 on the road. Their lone win was a nine point victory over Cal Poly on the road on Dec. 16.  As a team, USD is averaging 62.8 points per game, while shooting 38.1 percent from the floor.  Their opponents are averaging 77.0 points per contest while shooting 46.4 percent from the field. Redshirt junior Joey Calcaterra is the only player in double figures for USD, he is averaging 15.5 points per contest.
 
Last Time Out Versus USD
From USFDons.com on 1/30/19: A tight defensive battle in the first half turned into an offensive blowout in the second for the University of San Francisco men's basketball team Thursday, as the Dons rode the hot hand of Charles Minlend and outscored host San Diego by 20 to win their fifth West Coast Conference game in their last six, beating the Toreros, 69-44, at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
 
Minlend led the Dons to victory with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the only double-double of the game. 19 of his points came in the second half on 8-for-14 shooting. Other double-digit scorers for the Dons included Lull and Shabazz, both notching 15 points.
 
USD had just one player in double figures, Braun Hartfield, who had 11 points. lead the team slowed down.  That's not the mark of a good team. We have to play well no matter what the score is."
 
NEXT UP
The Dons will travel to Spokane, Wash., to take on the top ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs.  The Gonzaga and USF game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised one of the ESPN networks.  Jon Sciambi and Fran Fraschilla will have the call on the television side,  Pat Olson will have the call on KNBR 1050-AMM.