LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Playing their first of two games in Las Vegas this week, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (8-2) will battle another Mountain West opponent when they take on undefeated New Mexico (9-0) to close out the Jack Jones Hoopfest on Monday night.  
 
Hosted at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the Dons will battle the Lobos at 8:30 pm PT as they will be the second game of a doubleheader that night following Arizona State vs. Creighton at 6:00 pm PT.
 
GAME 11 INFORMATION:
Date: Monday, Dec. 12, 2022
Time: 8:30 pm PT
Opponent: New Mexico (9-0)
Site: Michelob ULTRA Arena
Location: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino / Las Vegas, Nevada
Watch: Sports Network LLC ($)
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Tickets: Sports Network LLC
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Last time out, USF took care of Merrimack, 69-51, at home in the first-ever meeting between the two schools this past Wednesday, Dec. 7. Dominating down low, Volodymyr Markovetskyy was named Player of the Game for the second time this season after finishing with a game-high 19 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor against the Warriors. Additionally, his seven rebounds in 18 minutes played also marked a season-high for the Ukrainian. Alongside Markovetskyy, Tyrell Roberts (12 points) and Zane Meeks (12 points) each finished in double figures for the Dons.
• Heading into the new week, USF is one of three teams in the WCC with eight wins so far this season (Saint Mary's + Santa Clara). Individually, Khalil Shabazz continues to be a playmaker on both ends as the fifth-year guard currently ranks in the top five in the conference in total steals (24, first), steals per game (2.4, first), free throw percentage (88.9, second), minutes per game (34:49, second), assists (39, fifth) and assists per game (3.9, fifth).
• Last year, the Dons enjoyed success in Las Vegas as USF defeated Towson and UAB to win the 2021 Las Vegas Invitational before the green and gold raced past BYU, 75-63, to advance to the semifinals of the 2021 WCC Tournament. 
• Looking ahead, Monday's matchup will mark the first game of the week for USF in the desert as the Dons will square off against UNLV on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2:00 pm PT at Thomas & Mack Center.

SCOUTING THE LOBOS:

• Following a 94-76 victory over UTSA on Saturday, Dec. 10, New Mexico enters the new week as one of only seven remaining undefeated teams in the country. Overall, this start to the season marks their best start since 2012-13 as well as their longest overall win streak since the Lobos started the year 12-0 that same year.
• Notably, the Lobos have three of the top five scorers in the Mountain West so far this year in Morris Udeze (19.1 ppg, first), Jamal Mashburn, Jr. (16.6 ppg, fourth) and Jaelen House (16.4 ppg, fifth).  
• Nationally, New Mexico is among the best at getting to the free throw line as the Lobos enter the contest first in free throws made per game (20.9) and third in free throws attempted per game (27.9). Defensively, UNM is also eleventh in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.57), fifteenth in defensive rebounds per game (29.3) and twenty-fifth in turnover margin (4.9).
• Impressively, House also ranks seventh in Division I in steals per game (2.78) and tenth in total steals (25) while Udeze's 64.0 field goal percentage is good for twentieth in the country. 

SERIES HISTORY:

• UNM and USF haven't met since the 1994-95 season when the Dons defeated the Lobos 80-74 in Albuquerque in the Preseason NIT on Nov. 16, 1994. Overall, the series is tied 2-2. Both teams were in the field of last year's Las Vegas Invitational at the Orleans Arena, but did not end up playing each other. 

TRACK THE ACTION:
Live streaming of Monday's contest is available via Sports Network LLC. Access to view the game must be purchased. The cost is $9.95 for a single game and $19.95 for access to the full tournament. Each purchase is good for up to three devices at a time. Live statistics are also available via Statbroadcast or the team's schedule page. Tickets to Monday's game can also be purchased via Sports Network LLC or the team's schedule page.
 
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF men's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on Twitter, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at www.usfdons.com/shop.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor - Provident Credit Union - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.