PORTLAND, Ore./SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Entering the third week of conference play, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (12-7, 1-3 WCC) will aim to pick up their second straight road win when they travel to Portland (8-10, 0-3 WCC) on Thursday night before the Dons return home to host Bay Area rival Saint Mary's (14-4, 3-0 WCC) at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center on Saturday night.
 
GAME 20 DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023
Time: 8:00 pm PT
Opponent: Portland (8-10, 0-3 WCC)
Site: Chiles Center
Location: Portland, Oregon
Watch: ESPN U
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
 
GAME 21 DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023
Time: 8:00 pm PT
Opponent: Saint Mary's (14-4, 3-0 WCC)
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Location: San Francisco, Calif.
Watch: NBC Sports Bay Area
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Tickets: Purchase Here
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Last time out, USF broke a three-game skid with a thrilling 72-70 road victory at Loyola Marymount on Saturday, Dec. 7 to notch their first win of conference play. Providing a spark off the bench, Julian Rishwain finished with a season-high 18 points and six rebounds as the junior knocked down 4-of-6 from deep while also adding two assists and two steals in 31 minutes played while Tyrell Roberts tallied 21 points, two steals and one rebound in 36 total minutes, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
• As of Wednesday, Jan. 11, Khalil Shabazz sits just four three-pointers away from passing Jordan Ratinho (251) for the most made three-pointers in program history. Notably, Shabazz has made three or more threes in seven games so far this season, including six times in the previous eight games.
• Overall, the Dons enter the week 3-1 in nationally televised games this year as Thursday's matchup in Portland will mark the second straight week in which USF has played on an ESPN network.
• Within the WCC, USF is atop the conference in opponent three-point percentage (29.9) while also sitting second as a team in blocks per game (1.4) and third in rebounds per game (32.3) and points allowed per game (68.7).
• Looking at the numbers, the Dons are 10-2 when they out rebound their opponents, 10-5 when they knock down more triples, 8-1 when they sink more free throws and 11-5 when they score more bench points than their opposition. 

SCOUTING THE PILOTS:

• In their last time on the hardwood, Portland fell on the road at Saint Mary's, 85-43, on Saturday, Jan. 7 as the Pilots shot just 26 percent overall while only hitting 1-of-19 shots from behind-the-arc.
• Fighting the injury bug recently, starting forward Moses Wood has missed the last three games while guard Tyler Robertson returned to the lineup against the Gaels after missing the previous two games. Additionally, guard Mike Meadows has missed nine games throughout the season. 
• Strong from the charity stripe, Portland leads the WCC and ranks 22nd nationally in both free throws made (16.4) and attempted (23.1) per game.

SCOUTING THE GAELS:

• Remaining perfect in conference play through the first three games, Saint Mary's is coming off another strong week on the court, which was highlighted by their 42-point victory over the Pilots at home.
• Impressing many around the country, the Gaels made history this past week by cracking into the top ten of both the NET and KenPom rankings, both of which were firsts for the program. Notably, SMC is currently eighth in the NET and ninth in KenPom, which both lead the WCC respectively.
• Individually, center Mitchell Saxen has been a beast on the block for Saint Mary's as he currently ranks in the top five in the conference in offensive rebounds (61, first), rebounds per game (8.7, second), total rebounds (157, third) and defensive rebounds (96, fifth). 

SERIES HISTORY:

• Thursday's matchup between Portland and USF will mark the 96^th meeting all-time between the two programs as the Dons currently hold a 66-29 lead in the all-time series. Notably, USF has won four of their last five matchups against the Pilots, including a 74-71 win in Portland on Feb. 5 last season.
• Saturday's meeting between the Gaels and Dons will mark the 188^th matchup all-time between the two schools as USF currently holds a 101-86 lead over SMC. Recently, Saint Mary's has defeated San Francisco in six straight contests with the Dons last victory coming on Jan. 3, 2019 in a 76-72 win on the Hilltop.

TRACK THE ACTION:
Thursday's game in Portland will air live on ESPN U and KNBR 1050 at game time. Saturday's game in San Francisco will air live on NBC Sports Bay Area and KNBR 1050 at game time. Live streaming, radio and live statistics links are available via the team's schedule page. Tickets for Saturday's Defend the Hilltop doubleheader are also available via the team's schedule page or usfdons.com/tickets.
 
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.