The University of San Francisco men's basketball is back in action on Monday night, having advanced to the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament. Standing in their way to their first finals appearance since 1998 is the second ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs.  Monday's game is slated for a 6:00 p.m. tip off and will be televised on ESPN with Bob Wischusen and Dick Vitale calling all the action, Sean Farnham will serve as the sideline reporter.  Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli will have the call courtside on the official home of Dons basketball, KNBR 1050-AM.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Mar. 9, 2020 – 6:00 p.m.
Opponent: No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (29-2/15-1 WCC)
Site: Orleans Arena (Las Vegas, Nev.)    
TV:  ESPN
Talent: Bob Wischusen (play-by-play) and Dick Vitale (analyst), Sean Farnham (reporter)
Radio:  KNBR 1050-AM
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play) and Jim Brovelli (analyst)
Live Stats: Statbroadcast.com
 
VS. GONZAGA
Series
Thursday will be the 85th match-up between the Dons and Bulldogs.  All-time Gonzaga owns a 62-22 advantage in the series - including 18-straight.  Monday is the fourth time the Dons and Bulldogs have met at a neutral site - Gonzaga is 3-1 in those contests - all coming in the WCC tournament.  Gonzaga has won three-straight in the WCC Tournament including the semifinal matchup in 2018 in which the Bulldogs won 88-60. The last time the Dons defeated the Bulldogs in the WCC Tournament came in 1998 in the championship game, with USF winning 80-67 at the old Toso Pavilion on the campus of Santa Clara. The series dates back to Jan. 28, 1961 when USF defeated Gonzaga 64-62.  Monday will be the 14th time the Dons have squared off against a ranked Gonzaga Squad.  In those contests, USF is just 1-12.  The last time the Dons beat a ranked Gonzaga team came on Feb. 18, 2012 when USF defeated No. 24 Gonzaga 66-65 at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center, which was also the last time USF defeated Gonzaga.
 
About the Bulldogs
Gonzaga captured the top-seed in the WCC Tournament thanks to 15-1 mark in conference play.  Led by WCC Player of the Year Filip Petrusev, the Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 in the AP and Coaches Poll.  They are averaging 87.7 points per game and shooting 51.5 percent from the field.  They are holding their opponents to 67.6 points per contest and 41.9 percent from the field.  Six players are averaging double figures with Petrusev averaging 17.8 points per game and a team-leading 7.8 rebounds per game.
 
Last Time Out Versus Gonzaga
On Feb. 20 the Dons made their annual trip to the Kennel.  For the second time this season, USF went into the intermission with a lead against the Bulldogs, up 31-22 - the fewest points in the first half scored by the Bulldogs.  Out of the break, Gonzaga forced five turnovers by the Dons in the first six possessions and went on a 22-2 run to take the lead - which they never surrendered, going on to win 71-54.  Killian Tillie scored 22 to lead Bulldogs, Charles Minlend matched him with 22. 
 
UP NEXT
Should the Dons advance they will play the winner of BYU/Saint Mary's on Tuesday.  The Championship game will be televised on ESPN with the same crew handling the play-by-play duties.  Tuesday's game will tip off at 6:00 p.m.