SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Back on the hardwood for the first time this season, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (0-0) will kick off their 2023-24 campaign on Monday night as the Dons are set to host Bethesda (0-0) at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
GAME 1 DETAILS:
Date: November 6, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm PST
Opponent: Bethesda (0-0) 
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Location: San Francisco, Calif. 
Watch: ESPN+ 
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: Statbroadcast 
Tickets: Purchase Here
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Returning to the court for the first time this year, San Francisco aims to get back to the NCAA Tournament after recording their sixth 20-win season in the last seven years in 2021-22. For head coach Chris Gerlufsen, the Philadelphia native enters year two on the Hilltop after taking over last offseason. 
• Infusing the roster with a variety of talent, USF brought in five transfers this offseason: Mike Sharavjamts (Dayton), Malik Thomas (Southern California), Jonathan Mogbo (Missouri State), Stefan Todorovic (Southern Methodist) and Robby Beasley (UC Davis/Montana). Notably, freshmen Ryan Beasley and Junjie Wang are also expected to contribute to the green and gold this season.
• Recently, the Dons were selected to finish third overall in the 2023-24 WCC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll by the league's nine coaches.
• The WCC also announced that San Francisco will be featured on national television ten times this season, with six games set for CBS Sports Network and four scheduled for ESPN networks.
• Notably, USF rosters ten student-athletes over 6'5" as the Dons added size and strength this offseason. Additionally, eight countries are also represented across the roster: Australia, China, England, Georgia, Mongolia, Serbia, Ukraine and the United States.  

SCOUTING THE FLAMES:

• Suiting up for two games already this season, Bethesda dropped their season opener at Saint Katherine, 97-82, on Saturday, Oct. 28 before falling at Hope International, 98-54, on Monday, Oct. 30.
• Against Hope International, Lawrence Shoffner led the way with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in 23 minutes while Jonathan Ileleji also finished in double figures with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 31 minutes played.
• As a team, the Flames are averaging 68.8 points and 25.5 rebounds per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from distance this season. 

TRACK THE ACTION:
Monday's season opener against Bethesda will air live on ESPN+ and KNBR 1050 at gametime. Live statistics are also available above and via the team's schedule page.
 
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the San Francisco men's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on Twitter, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Get your official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore today! Click here to purchase.
 
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.