1974 West Coast Conference Champions

Overall Record: 19-9    WCC Record: 12-2

Head Coach: Bob Gaillard
Overall Record: 19-9    WCC Record: 12-2
All-WCC Team: Kevin Restani, Phil Smith
Top Scorer: Phil Smith (20.7)    Top Rebounder:  Kevin Restani (10.1)
USF Hall-of-Famers: Eric Fernsten, Kevin Restani, Phil Smith, Bob Gaillard

Coach Bob Gaillard’s Dons rolled to a 19-9 record in a season that saw USF claim its third consecutive West Coast Athletic Conference crown. The Dons were challenged by a tough non-conference schedule that included highly-touted Long Beach State, Providence, Seton Hall, Maryland, St. Joseph’s and Michigan. USF struggled to a 2-6 start then won 15 of their next 16 games.

USF really came together during WCAC play steamrolling through the 14 game slate with an impressive record of 12-2. The Dons were led by All-Americans Phil Smith and Kevin Restani who were both drafted in the early rounds of the 1974 NBA draft. Smith averaged almost 21 points per game and finished his career with 1,523 points – still good enough for 11th on the USF career scoring list. Restani averaged a double-double - 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds - per contest.

The Dons advanced to the NCAA tournament for the third straight season. In the opening round of the West Regional, USF outlasted New Mexico State 64-61 as Howard Smith paced the Dons with 18 points. But, the Hilltop quintet again tasted disappointment at the NCAA West Regional losing in the finals to eventual NCAA champion UCLA 83-60.

Did You Know? Kevin Restani was nicknamed “Howdy” by his teammates because of his close resemblance to the children’s TV icon Howdy Doody. Phil Smith’s son Peter Smith played with USF as a walk-on from 2008-09.

They Said It: “What kills us is that we don’t get the publicity and respect other top college teams get because of all the emphasis on professional sports here in San Francisco. True, we don’t have a Bill Russell or a Bill Walton, but we do have some awfully good players.” – USF guard Phil Smith.