SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Turning the page as the new year approaches, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (10-3, 0-0 WCC) is ready to begin another season of West Coast Conference (WCC) action as the Dons are set to host LMU (8-4, 0-0 WCC) on Saturday night to begin conference play.
 
GAME 14 INFORMATION:
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024
Time: 7:00 pm
Opponent: LMU (8-4, 0-0 WCC)
Location: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center / San Francisco, Calif.
Watch: ESPN+ (Ben Ross, Ben Braun)
Listen: KNBR 1050 (Pat Olson, Jim Brovelli)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Purchase Here
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Last time out, San Francisco wrapped up its nonconference schedule by picking up their tenth win of the season as the Dons defeated Montana, 71-67, on Saturday, Dec. 21 at home on the Hilltop. Individually, Marcus Williams finished with a season-high 25 points as the guard shot 8-of-11 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free throw line while tying his season-high with 36 minutes played.
• Heading into West Coast Conference action, San Francisco sits at No. 59 in the NCAA NET rankings through games on Dec. 27. Overall, the green and gold are the fourth-highest WCC team in the rankings behind Gonzaga (5), Oregon State (51) and Saint Mary's (56). Additionally, Washington State (68) and Santa Clara (76) are close behind as the conference boasts six teams in the top 100 in the NET to begin league play.
• In 2023-24, San Francisco tallied an 11-5 record in WCC action as the Dons secured their first top three finish since 2013-24. Notably, USF's eleven conference victories also tied for the second-most since the program was brought back in 1985-86.
• Getting to the line with a purpose, Malik Thomas currently ranks in the top 50 nationally in both free throws made (63, 28^th) and free throw attempts (78, 41^st). Scoring wise, he also ranks 40^th in Division I with 236 total points.
• Within the WCC, both Thomas (18.2 ppg, 2^nd) and Williams (13.5 ppg, T-15^th) rank in the top 15 in points per game. Efficient with the ball in their hands, Thomas also ranks third in the conference in field goal percentage (50.3) while Williams is tied for seventh in three-pointers made per game (2.1). 

SCOUTING THE LIONS:

• For the first time under head coach Stan Johnson, LMU has won five straight games as the Lions defeated North Alabama, 85-69, in their last time on the hardwood on Sunday, Dec. 22. Notably, the win streak began with an impressive 68-64 home win over Nevada on Dec. 7. With a win over San Francisco, LMU would notch their first six-game win streak since 2018-19.
• Last year, LMU finished 12-18 overall, which included a 5-11 mark in WCC action. In Las Vegas, the Lions lost their opening round game of the WCC Tournament against Portland, 78-70.
• Over the offseason, Johnson hired former Pac-10 Coach of the Year and longtime Pepperdine coach Lorenzo Romar to be an assistant coach. Upon his arrival, Romar was key in helping land two-time All-WCC honoree Jevon Porter from Malibu.
• Individually, Will Johnston is dangerous for the Lions as the guard currently ranks second in the league in three-point percentage (35.2), free throw percentage (88.9), three-pointers made per game (2.6) and assist to turnover ratio (3.8) while also tying for ninth in assists per game (3.5). Overall, his 13.8 points per game is also good for tenth in the WCC.
• Alongside Johnston, Caleb Stone-Carrawell (13.6 ppg, T-12^th) and Porter (13.5, T-15^th) also rank inside the top 15 in scoring within the conference. For Porter, the Pepperdine transfer is currently tied for third in the WCC in rebounds per game (3.1) and blocks per game (1.5) while also ranking fifth in total blocks (17). For Stone-Carrawell, the Utah Valley transfer has been efficient as the forward is currently tied for fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (50.0).

SERIES HISTORY:
Saturday's matchup between San Francisco and LMU will mark the 170^th meeting all-time between the two programs as the Dons hold a 120-49 lead in the head-to-head series. Notably, the green and gold are on a four-game win streak dating back to 2022. In San Francisco, USF is 56-20 all-time against LMU. Last season, the Dons swept the Lions, including a 90-74 victory at home on Jan. 18, 2024.
 
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 sponsor - San Francisco Toyota - for their continued support of San Francisco 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.