University of San Francisco Athletics

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Following a two-week break for finals, USF resumes its 2013-14 season on Saturday when the Dons play host to the Nicholls State Colonels of the Southland Conference beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Gymnasium.

At 5-4 with three non-conference games remaining before the WCC opener at Portland on Dec. 28, USF has already experienced its share of ups and downs during the young season.

USF has scored 90 or more points in five games this season and rank as the third-highest scoring team in the WCC, averaging 85.2 points per game. However, the Dons are yielding 80.2 points contest and also rank last in the league in field goal defense (48.7) and three-point field goal defense (41.7). Free throw shooting has also been a point of concern, as the Dons are shooting just 63.7 percent from the charity stripe on the year.

Walters has also had to reshuffle the lineup and adjust the team's style of play following the departure of Cody Doolin, who decided to forego the remainder of his senior season four games into the campaign.

"There is never a good time to lose a four-year starter but it is what it is," said Walters. "We have to keep moving forward. Everyone has had to step up  a little more. Without Cody, offense doesn't come as easily. Cody was really good at finding the open man which led to quality shots. Without Cody, we have to be more of a ball-reversal, paint touch team."

However, with more than half of the season still ahead, head coach Rex Walters feels strongly the Dons still has what it takes to compete with any team in the conference on any given night.

"What people are going to find out the teams we've dropped games to are pretty darn good teams," said Walters. "We've had good practices and our guys have a sense of urgency and a better understanding of where we are headed and what we have to do to get better.

"It's a different team but still a very good team. Our goals haven't changed," said Walters. "We still feel we can compete for a conference championship. The biggest thing for us is to be able to protect the paint and shot selection."

In this edition of Inside USF Basketball, Walters assesses his team's performance nine games into the season, the Dons play on the defensive end of the floor, the emergence of junior Kruize Pinkins and adjustments he has had to make to the rotation in the wake of Doolin's departure.