University of San Francisco Athletics

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Depth, versatility and experience are three words that come readily to mind when sizing up USF's 2013-14 men's basketball team.

Unlike a year ago when nine newcomers dotted USF's roster, sixth-year head coach Rex Walters doesn't have to look too far down his bench in search of personnel to fill key scoring and rebounding roles. The Dons return 81 percent of its scoring and 88 percent of its rebounding production from last year's team that finished 15-16 overall and 7-9 in the West Coast Conference.

Among the nine returning letterwinners are five players who started more than half of the team's games a year ago, including eight who averaged over 11 minutes per game.

Cole Dickerson, the WCC's top rebounder and the Dons leading scorer a year ago, and Cody Doolin, who has started all 99 games at the point guard position, give USF a healthy dose of senior leadership and production from the top of the lineup.

USF is counting heavily on Kruize Pinkins, a 6-7 junior college transfer from Chipola College in Marianna, Fla., along with the development of frontline returnees Mark Tollefsen, Matt Christiansen and Tao Xu, to boost its rebounding production from a year ago when the Dons were outrebounded by over two boards a game. Matt Glover, a 6-5 forward who redshirted last season after spending the 2011-12 season at Penn State, and the steady Tim Derksen, the team's second leading rebounder a year ago, should also help matters underneath.

USF returns plenty of offensive firepower, especially on the perimeter, where the Dons ranked fifth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage last season while setting a school-record for three-pointers made for a third straight year.

Dickerson finished ninth in the conference scoring race last season with a 15.2 per game mark, while Doolin averaged a career-high 12.2 points a game from his point guard position. Tollefsen worked his way into the starting lineup for the last five games of last season and was one of the Dons most productive players down the stretch, averaging 16.4 points and while shooting over 70 percent from the floor down the stretch. Avry Holmes led the WCC in three-point field goal percentage as a freshman while Chris Adams also emerged as one of the league's top long distance marksmen during his sophomore campaign.

Corey Hilliard, who played last season at Midland Junior College after spending his freshman season at Nebraska, adds depth and experience to one of the WCC's top backcourts.

Walters likes the versatility of his personnel. The Dons can play big with Tollefsen, Dickerson and Pinkins occupying the 3-4-5 spots, or go small with Doolin, Holmes, Adams, Derksen or Hilliard joining Dickerson in the middle.

Whatever lineup Walters choses to employ, he knows the team's ability to get defensive stops in key situations along with becoming a better rebounding team will go a long way in determining the Dons postseason fate come March.

Here's a more detailed look at the USF Dons:

Squad Breakdown
Letterwinners Returning (9): G Chris Adams, Jr.; F-C Matt Christiansen, So.; G-F Tim Derksen, So.; F Cole Dickerson, Sr.; G Cody Doolin, Sr.; G-F Gavin Hoffmann, Jr.; G Avry Holmes, So.; F-C Mark Tollefsen, So.; C Tao Xu, So.
Letterwinners Lost (2): G-F De'End Parker; F-C Frank Rogers.
Starters Returning (5): Chris Adams, Tim Derksen, Cole Dickerson, Cody Doolin, Tao Xu (started more than half of team's games)
Starters Lost: De'End Parker (started more than half of team's games)
Squad Players Returning (1): F Matt Glover, Jr. (redshirted last season)
Squad Players Lost (4): G Joe Edmonds; C Coltin Gelb; G Dominique O'Connor; G Evan Scott.
Newcomers (4): G Corey Hilliard, Jr.; F Uche Ofoegbu, Jr.; F-C Kruize Pinkins, Jr.; C Derrell Robertson, Jr.

Strengths
Experience
Unlike a year ago when USF had to replace 70 percent of its scoring and rebounding from the previous season, the Dons return nine letterwinners from last year's squad that finished with a 15-16 overall mark and a 7-9 WCC record. Eight of the nine players earned starts at some point during the season while five started more than half of the team's games.

Senior Leadership
Seniors Cody Doolin and Cole Dickerson give USF a healthy dose of experience, leadership and production from the point and strong forward positions. Doolin has started all 99 games over the last three seasons and has been one of the WCC's top playmakers. He ranks second all-time at USF in career assists and is third in steals. Dickerson led the conference in rebounding last season and ranked in the WCC's top-10 in seven other statistical categories, including scoring (8^th; 15.2) and field goal percentage (10^th; .474). He had 13 double-doubles (points-rebounds) last season and was a point or rebound away from a double-double in five other games.

Depth and Versatility
This year's team might be the deepest and most versatile team in Rex Walters' six-year coaching tenure on the Hilltop. The Dons can roll out a lot of different looks that can cause serious matchup problems. USF has the option of playing Dickerson, Mark Tollefsen and Kruize Pinkins, who are at least 6-7, at the 3-4-5 spots; or go small with Matt Glover at strong forward, Dickerson in the middle along with guards Cody Doolin, Avry Holmes, Chris Adams, Tim Derksen or Corey Hilliard. With so many interchangeable players, Walters feels he has as many as nine starters on his roster.

Three-Point Shooting
USF led the West Coast Conference and ranked fifth nationally last season in three-point field goal percentage at 40.1 (249-for-621). For the third consecutive season, the Dons set a single-season school record for three-pointers made while its percentage ranks third on the school's all-time list. Avry Holmes led the WCC in three-point field goal percentage (.471) as a freshman, while Chris Adams (5^th; .429) and Cole Dickerson (9^th; .410) also ranked in the top-10. USF also set a school record for most three-pointers in a game with 14, accomplished in back-to-back road games at Pepperdine and BYU.

Keys to Success
Be a Better Rebounding Team
Despite having the WCC's top rebounder in Cole Dickerson (9.8), USF ranked eighth in the conference in rebound average (32.5) and were ninth in rebound margin (-2.5). The Dons need rebounding production from all positions. The addition of Matt Glover and Kruize Pinkins, along with the development and experience of young players such as Matt Christiansen, Tao Xu and Mark Tollefsen, should help matters.

"At the end of the day, we can be the best defensive team in the conference but if we can't rebound, we're not finishing off possessions," said associate head coach Luke Wicks.

Develop More Playmakers
USF relied heavily on veterans Cody Doolin and Cole Dickerson to shoulder a lot of offensive responsibility and make plays in crunch time last season – and rightfully so. The emergence of Avry Holmes, Chris Adams, Mark Tollefsen – along with the addition of Kruize Pinkins and Corey Hilliard – should give the Dons more balance and scoring options.

Establish a Strong Post Presence
USF led the WCC and ranked fifth nationally in three-point percentage last season and for the third consecutive season, set a school record for most three-pointers made. When the shots were dropping, the Dons could play with – and beat – just about any team in the conference, as was the case at BYU, when USF drilled 14 three's en route to a 14-point victory over the Cougars. However, the lack of a consistent post presence made the Dons at times one dimensional. USF would prefer to play more of an "inside-out" game this season. With Pinkins, Tollefsen, Christiansen and Xu, along with Tim Derksen and Matt Glover, USF has the potential to post at five positions.

Develop a Defensive Mindset
USF won a handful of games last season by outscoring teams, which in its proper context, is usually a pretty good formula for success. Road games at BYU, Pepperdine and San Diego come to mind. The Dons know their ability to consistently get defensive stops will play a large role in the team's success this season. "It has to hurt us when we get scored upon," said Wicks. "We want our defense to lead our offense."

Defend the Home Court
USF was 8-7 at home last season but managed just a 2-6 mark in conference home games. USF needs to take advantage of its 18-game home schedule, which includes nine non-conference and nine conference games.

Win the Close Ones
Of USF's 16 losses last season, 12 were by 10 points or fewer, including seven games which were decided by six points or less. In six of the team's losses, the Dons trailed by two points with a half a minute to go in the game.

Be the Best Team on the Schedule
USF may not be the most talented team on the court night in and night out, but the Dons do have complete control over what type of team they would like to be. Embracing a hard-nosed style of play, making a commitment on the defensive end and being tenacious on the boards will go a long way in determining the team's success this season and come March.

Keep an Eye On
The Improvement and Maturity of the Sophomores
While USF is counting on consistent contributions and leadership from its upperclassmen, most notably Cody Doolin, Cole Dickerson, Kruize Pinkins, Chris Adams and Matt Glover, the ability of sophomores Tim Derksen, Avry Holmes, Mark Tollefsen, Matt Christiansen and Tao Xu to take the next step and show marked improvement can't be understated. Derksen and Holmes were named to the WCC's All-Freshmen Team last year while Tollefsen made huge strides over the last month of the season. All five players earned starts at some point last season. "They were in survival mode last season and their heads were spinning a bit," said Wicks. "Now that they have a year under their belts, they know what it takes to be a great student-athlete."

How Quickly the Newcomers Adjust
Although junior college transfers Kruize Pinkins (Chipola College) and Corey Hilliard (Midland College) are expected to play significant roles this season, the staff knows both players will continue to experience a transition period as they adjust to the Division I level, both on and off the court. Hilliard does have major conference, Division I experience, having played at Nebraska as a freshman in 2011-12.

Player Capsules
G Chris Adams (6-4 / 194 / Jr.) - Very intelligent player and one of the team's best defenders… has expanded his offensive repertoire beyond a catch-and-shoot three-point specialist…appeared in 28 games and averaged 4.7 points and 1.3 rebounds a game…started the last 16 games of the year after coming off the bench for his first 12 appearances of the season…39 of his 43 field goals on the year came from beyond the three-point arc…ranked fifth in the WCC in three-point field goal percentage at .429 (39-for-91)…ranked 13^th in three-pointers made per game (1.4)…playing time increased significantly over the last half of the season…averaged 9.5 minutes a game (115 total) over his first 12 appearances and 26.4 minutes per game over the last 16 contests.

F-C Matt Christiansen (6-9 / 235 / So.) – Gives the Dons a big, physical presence down low…played in 26 of the 31 games and made eight starts last year as a freshman…averaged 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds while shooting .489 (23-for-47) from the field…was one of four players to draw starts on the post…has worked extremely hard on his game and physique in the offseason…one of the team's best-conditioned players…can run with the guard and always puts in extra time in the weight room…added confidence in his low post game.

G-F Tim Derksen (6-3 / 202 / So.) -- Earned WCC All-Freshmen honors along with teammate Avry Holmes…started 25 of 31 games on the year and averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds…shot .488 (84-for-172) from the field…started the first 25 games of the season before coming off the bench for the last six contests…hard-nosed competitor…running ability allows for 2-3 pitch go ahead layups a game…moves very well without the ball…excellent shot selection has earned the trust of coaches and teammates in late game situations.

F Cole Dickerson (6-7 / 227 / Sr.) – Earned first team All-WCC honors after leading the Dons in both scoring (15.2) and rebounding (9.8)…led the conference and ranked 19^th nationally in rebound average (9.8)…finished eighth in the conference in scoring…ranked in the WCC's top-10 in six other statistical categories…last year's rebound total of 304 ranked 18^th on the school's all-time single-season charts…posted 13 double-doubles (points-rebounds), which led the WCC and ranked 24^th nationally…was a point or rebound away from posting double-doubles in five other games…was one of two players along with Cody Doolin to start all 31 games…scored in double figures in 26 of 31 contests, topped off by a career high 30-point effort against Dominican on Dec. 29…pulled down 10 or more rebounds in 14 games, including a career best 20 boards against Montana on Nov. 30….great feel for the game and has uncanny scoring ability…hard to categorize as one type of player because he does so many things well…versatility creates match-up nightmares for defensive coaches.

G Cody Doolin (6-2 / 183 / Sr.) - One of the top point guards in the West Coast Conference…definitely in the conversation when discussing the top floor generals in school history…has started all 99 games heading into his final season on the Hilltop…figures prominently on many of USF's all-time career lists…enters his final campaign ranked second all-time in assists with 423…ranks third in steals with 147 and seventh in career free throw percentage at .784…needs 29 games to tie Angelo Caloiaro's (2008-12) all-time school record for games played at 128…has averaged 9.6 points, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 99 career games…has a knack of getting to the rim as evident of five game-winning lay-ups vs. Louisiana (Nov. 13, 2011), at Montana (Dec. 1, 2011), vs. No. 24 Gonzaga (Jan. 22, 2011), vs. Hawaii (March 19, 2011) and at Loyola Marymount (Feb. 21, 2013)…earned honorable mention all-conference accolades for a second straight season last year…averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 assists per game…ranked second on the team in scoring behind Cole Dickerson…finished in the top-five of the WCC in assist average (3^rd), minutes played per game (4^th; 33.7), assist-to-turnover ratio (5^th; 2.1) and steals per game (5^th; 1.6)…ranked sixth among all WCC players in free throw percentage at .812 (95-for-117)…assist average of 5.6 ranked 34^th nationally while his assist total of 174 ranked fifth on USF's all-time single-season list.

G-F Matt Glover (6-5 / 212 / Jr.) – Redshirted last season after transferring from Penn State…started 21 games for the Nittany Lions as a sophomore in 2011-12, including 12 in the rugged Big Ten Conference…Dons' utility player…can play up to four positions on the floor…one the team's strongest and most physical players…good feel for the game and never takes a possession off.

G Corey Hilliard (6-1 / 185 / Jr.) – Transfer from Midland (Texas) College who gained Division I experience as a freshman at Nebraska during the 2011-12 season…excellent on-ball defender…quick, fast-twitch player who can guard the length of the floor…tough player who has a nose for the basketball…has the ability to create his own shot.

G-F Gavin Hoffmann (6-5 / 204 / Jr.) – Saw limited action last year after appearing in 21 games as a freshman…played through injuries last season…hard-nosed competitor who has the utmost respect of coaches and teammates.

G Avry Holmes (6-2 / 196 / So.) -- WCC All-Freshmen selection last year…played in 29 games and drew two starts (Pepperdine and Northern Kentucky)…averaged 6.7 points and 1.7 rebounds a game…led the WCC in 3-point field goal percentage at .471 (41-for-87)…was the third-highest single-season mark in school history (min. 2 attempts per team game) behind Angelo Caloiaro (.491 in 2009-10) and Tomas Thompson (.484 in 1991-92)…made at least one 3-pointer in 26 of his 29 games on the year, including 22 in a row…served notice in his collegiate debut, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting against NIT champion Stanford at Oracle Arena…looks to be more explosive than a year ago…better feel for the offensive system should help him create more shots from himself and others.

F-C Kruize Pinkins (6-7 / 230 / Jr.) -- Played two seasons at Chipola College in Marianna, Fla….earned first team All-Panhandle League honors after averaging 11.4 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 57.8 percent from the floor as a sophomore…does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor…gives USF a much-needed physical presence down low…can score from the perimeter as well as down low with either hand…always seems to be around the ball…will compete for a starting role immediately.

F-C Mark Tollefsen (6-9 / 199 / So.) – Was one of the Dons most productive players over the last month of the season last year…added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason…can be a match-up nightmare as he has the versatility to be an asset at the 3, 4 or 5 spots…has worked hard on his ball handling skills and decision making…has perhaps the highest ceiling of any of the Dons players…appeared in all 31 games and started each of the last five games of the season…averaged 7.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and shot .567 (85-for-150) from the floor during a very productive first-year campaign…also made 75 percent (21-for-28) of his free throw attempts…finished the year as the team's fifth-leading scorer and led the team in field goal percentage…had eight double-figure scoring games on the year, capped off by a 22-point effort in the season finale against Northern Kentucky.

Head Coach Rex Walters
The former Kansas standout has guided the Dons to a 77-82 overall record, including a 20-14 mark in 2011-12, which was the program's first 20-win season since 1981-82. Included among his win total are three wins over perennial conference power Gonzaga. USF has also played in the postseason two of the last three seasons, reaching the quarterfinals of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in 2010-11 and earning a spot in the College Basketball Invitational in 2011-12. A total of 12 USF players have earned West Coast Conference honors over the last five seasons, including six first-team selections. Walters' "Let it Rip" brand of basketball has resulted in two of the top single-season scoring marks in school history, including an outburst of 2,536 points in 2011-12, a total that ranks third all-time. The Dons have also set single-season school records for three-pointers made each of the last three seasons under his guidance.