MORAGA/SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Back in the Bay Area for another crucial week of conference action, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (15-9, 4-5) will look to keep their momentum rolling as they make the short trip to Moraga on Thursday night for an 8:00 pm battle at Saint Mary's (19-4, 8-0 WCC) before returning home to the Hilltop to host Santa Clara (16-7, 4-4 WCC) at 7:00 pm on Saturday evening.
 
GAME 25 DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023
Time: 8:00 pm PT
Opponent: #18/18 Saint Mary's (19-4, 8-0 WCC)
Site: University Credit Union Pavilion
Location: Moraga, Calif.
Watch: ESPN U
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
 
GAME 26 DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm PT
Opponent: Santa Clara (16-7, 4-4 WCC)
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Location: San Francisco, Calif.
Watch: ESPN U
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Tickets: Purchase Here
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Riding a three-game winning streak into this week, the Dons scorched San Diego, 94-81, in their lone matchup on the hardwood last week. Notably, Khalil Shabazz tied his season-high with 26 points while four other Dons also finished in double figures: Tyrell Roberts (15 points), Zane Meeks (15 points), Marcus Williams (13 points) and Ndewedo Newbury (13 points).
• Within the WCC, both Roberts (15.5 points, sixth) and Shabazz (15.3 points, eighth) rank in the top ten individually in points per game. Additionally, Shabazz has also been consistent for the green and gold at the free throw line as he currently is third in the conference with an 86.2 percent clip from the charity stripe.
• Originally planning to utilize a redshirt year, Newbury has been a revelation for USF off the bench the past three games as the sophomore is averaging 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 50.0 percent from the floor and 60.0 percent from behind-the-arc. Providing physicality inside, the forward pulled down a career-high eleven rebounds in his season debut at Pacific on Jan. 19 before recently pouring in a career-high 13 points in USF's win at San Diego on Jan. 28.
• Climbing the ladder with each opportunity, Shabazz is now inside the top ten all-time in program history in total points as the Seattle native is currently tenth all-time with 1,567 career points and counting on the Hilltop.

SCOUTING THE GAELS:

• Last time out, freshman Aidan Mahaney stunned BYU on the road in Provo by knocking down the game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left in regulation to lift Saint Mary's over the Cougars, 77-76, on Saturday, Jan. 28.
• Entering the contest on a ten-game winning streak, head coach Randy Bennett is currently at 499 career wins as the head coach of the Gaels, which is good for 26th most among active NCAA head coaches and sixth-most among active head coaches at their current institution. With their next win, SMC will reach the 20-win mark for the 15^th time in 16 years.
• As of Wednesday, Feb. 1, Saint Mary's is ranked No. 18 in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll. Overall, the Gaels are ranked No. 6 in the NCAA's NET rankings, their highest NET ranking in program history, as SMC is 7-2 in Quad 1 or 2 games and 11-2 in Quad 3 or 4 games. Additionally, SMC is also ranked No. 7 in KenPom, which also marks their highest KenPom ranking in program history.   

SCOUTING THE BRONCOS:

• In their last time out, Santa Clara fell at home to Pacific, 95-89, on Saturday, Jan. 28. Facing another tall task, the Broncos will battle No. 12 Gonzaga in Spokane on Thursday night before their matchup at USF on Saturday.
• Dominating since transferring to SCU, Brandon Podziemski is coming off a career-high 38 points against Pacific – his third 30-point game this season – as the Illinois transfer is currently second in the WCC in rebounds per game (8.2) and third in points per game (19.0). Impressively, he is just one of eleven players in Division I this year averaging 19.0+ points and 8.0+ rebounds. 
• As a team, Santa Clara hits the glass hard as the Broncos rank 28^th nationally in rebounds per game (39.0). Individually, Parker Braun is tied for the WCC lead with 5.9 defensive rebounds per game in league play while also being fifth in total rebounds per game (7.4) in league games. 

SERIES HISTORY:

• Thursday's meeting between the Gaels and Dons will mark the 189^th matchup all-time between the two schools as USF currently holds a 101-87 lead over SMC. Recently, Saint Mary's has defeated San Francisco in seven straight contests with the Dons last victory coming on Jan. 3, 2019 in a 76-72 win on the Hilltop.
• Saturday's meeting between the Broncos and the Dons will mark the 232^nd matchup all-time between the two programs as SCU holds a narrow 117-114 lead in the all-time series. Notably, USF has won eight of their last ten matchups against SCU on the Hilltop, including a thrilling 88-85 victory over the Broncos last season on Jan. 29, 2022. 

TRACK THE ACTION:
Both games this week will air live on ESPN U and KNBR 1050 at game time. Live streaming, radio and live statistics links are available above and via the team's schedule page. Tickets for Saturday's contest against Santa Clara are 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.