SPOKANE, Wash./SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Looking to bounce back and climb the conference standings, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (15-11, 4-7 WCC) will head to Spokane for a Thursday night matchup with No. 16/16 Gonzaga (19-5, 8-2 WCC) before returning home to the Bay Area for a Saturday evening battle with Pepperdine (8-17, 1-10 WCC).
 
GAME 27 DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm PT
Opponent: #16/16 Gonzaga (19-5, 8-2 WCC)
Site: McCarthey Athletic Center
Location: Spokane, Wash.
Watch: ESPN 2
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
 
GAME 28 DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm PT
Opponent: Pepperdine (8-17, 1-10 WCC)
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Location: San Francisco, Calif.
Watch: WCC Network
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Tickets: Purchase Here
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Last time out, USF fell at home to Santa Clara, 84-70, on Saturday, Feb. 4. Despite the loss, fifth year guard KhalilShabazz continues to put together another strong season as he poured in a season-high 31 points against the Broncos, which included going 6-of-13 from beyond-the-arc.
• Dangerous as a duo in the backcourt, Shabazz (16.0 ppg, sixth) and Tyrell Roberts (15.2, ninth) each rank in the top ten in the conference in scoring average as the guards combine to average 31.2 of USF's 74.9 points per game. Notably, both have been workhouses for head coach Chris Gerlufsen in his first season on the Hilltop as Roberts is first in total minutes (895) and fourth in minutes per game (34.4) while Shabazz ranks second in total minutes (891) and fifth in minutes per game (34.3).
• Overall, USF ranks eleventh in Division I as a team in three-point attempts per game (28.0) and three pointers made per game (10.0). Additionally, the Dons are shooting 74.8 percent from the free throw line, which is good for second in the WCC and 52^nd nationally.
• Looking to gain an edge on the glass, USF is 13-2 this season when outrebounding their opponents and 2-8 when they record fewer rebounds than their opponents. Furthermore, the Dons are 9-2 when they make more free throws than their opponents and 5-9 when the opposition gets to the charity stripe more.
• With a win in Spokane on Thursday night, USF can get back to over .500 on the road as the Dons have tallied wins at Fresno State, UNLV, Loyola Marymount and San Diego so far this season.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS:

• In their last time on the hardwood, Gonzaga was defeated on the road at No. 18 Saint Mary's, 78-70, on Saturday, Feb. 4 as the Bulldogs dropped the contest in overtime despite 23 points from Drew Timme.
• Lethal on offense yet again, GU currently leads the country in field goal percentage (52.0 percent) and points per game (85.7). Impressively, the Bulldogs are also first in effective field goal percentage (.582).
• With their next win, Gonzaga will record their 26^th straight 20-win season, which is the second longest streak in Division I behind reigning national champion Kansas (32). With his next field goal, Timme will become GU's all-time leader in made field goals as he is currently tied with Frank Burgess with 800 made shots during his collegiate career. 

SCOUTING THE WAVES:

• Last weekend, Pepperdine notched their first conference win of the year by knocking off Portland, 94-93, on a buzzer beater from Jevon Porter in double overtime.
• Getting looks from the professional level, Maxwell Lewis leads the Waves with an average of 18.4 points per game, which currently ranks fourth in the WCC. Versatile on both ends, Lewis also pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game, good for second on the team.
• Another young talent for head coach Lorenzo Romar, freshman Jevon Porter is the only freshman in the conference to have recorded a double-double as his six double-doubles are good for fifth in the WCC. Overall, the Columbia, Mo. native is averaging 11.0 points per game while pulling down a team-high 7.2 rebounds per game. 

SERIES HISTORY:

• Thursday's meeting between the Dons and the Bulldogs will mark the 92^nd matchup all-time between the two programs. Overall, Gonzaga holds a 69-22 lead over the Dons in the all-time series, including 25 straight victories. Notably, USF's last win over GU came in a 66-65 thriller in San Francisco on Feb. 18, 2012.
• Saturday's meeting between the Dons and the Waves will mark the 140^th meeting all-time between the two programs. Overall, USF holds an 85-54 advantage over Pepperdine, including a series sweep of the Waves in 2021-22.

TRACK THE ACTION:
Thursday's contest in Spokane will air live on ESPN 2 and KNBR 1050 at game time. Saturday's contest in San Francisco will air live on the WCC Network and KNBR 1050 at game time. Live streaming, radio and live statistics links are available above and via the team's schedule page. Tickets to Saturday's game are available above the team's schedule page and 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.