The University of San Francisco men's basketball team is looks to continue its winning trend when the Dons host Cal State Fullerton for a Sunday afternoon matinee.  The Dons and Titans will tip off at 1:00 p.m., fans can stream the game live via TheW.tv with Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli calling the action.  Olson and Brovelli will also have the call on the official home of USF Dons Basketball 1550-AM The GAME.

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Dec. 16, 2018 – 1:00 p.m. PST
Opponent: Cal State Fullerton Titans (3-7, 0-0 Big West)
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Streaming: TheW.tv
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play) and Jim Brovelli (analyst)
Radio:  1550-AM The GAME
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play) and Jim Brovelli (analyst)
Live Stats: USFDons.com
Game Notes: USF vs. Cal State Fullerton
 
USF AT A GLANCE

• The Dons shook off the rust from finals week to defeat visiting Eastern Washington 85-63 on Thursday evening.  The Win over the Eagles was the Dons eighth by 18 or more.
• The 85 points scored by USF against the Eagles was their sixth time scoring 80 or more.  USF did that five times total last season.  The Dons are 5-1 when scoring 80 or more, the lone loss came in the 85-81 loss to No. 21 Buffalo at the Belfast Classic.
• Under head coach Kyle Smith, the Dons are 30-7 (81.1%) when they score 75 or more points.  USF has scored 75 or more points nine times this season going 8-1.
• Kenpom.com has the Dons 49th as of Saturday afternoon - it is the highest the Dons have ever been rated in the history of the analytical site.
• Dons in the Top-25 in the NET - the NCAA Evaluation Tool has the Dons 21st in the nation.  They are one of two teams from the WCC in the top-25. Gonzaga is currently 7th.  The WCC has six teams in the top-100 of the NET.
• On Sunday the Dons will celebrate their home of the last 60 years - War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.  The building opened in 1958, all-time the Dons are 605-254 (.704) at the friendly confines.
• Four players are averaging 10 or more for the Dons this season, USF is led by redshirt sophomore Charles Minlend and his 14.4 points.  Frankie Ferrari and Jordan Ratinho are next at 12.2, followed by Matt McCarthy's 11.2. 
• The Dons are averaging 80.7 ppg and holding opponents to 58.6 ppg - the +22.7 scoring margin is eighth best in the nation.
• USF has shot 50.0 percent or better from the field in six of the 10 games.  Last year USF shot 50.0 percent or better just six times all season.

 
THE SERIES
On Sunday the Dons and Titans will square off for the first time in 13 years.  The two teams have played each other nine times with the Dons owning a 5-4 advantage in the series, however, Cal State Fullerton owns the bragging rights having defeated the Dons twice in post season play.  The first ever matchup between the two schools occurred on March 16, 1978 in the West Regional Semi Finals of the NCAA Tournament with the Titans defeating the Dons 75-72 ending the junior year for Dons Hall of Famer Bill Cartwright. At home, USF is 3-1 against the Titans.
 
ABOUT THE TITANS
Cal State Fullerton enters Sunday's contest with a 3-7 mark after dropping two in a row to WCC foes LMU (59-49) at home and at Saint Mary's (81-66) on Dec. 10.  Away from Titan Gym the Titans are 1-6.  Cal State Fullerton was picked to finish second in the preseason poll - senior guards Khalil Ahmad and Kyle Allman were picked on the preseason All-Big West Team.  Both players are averaging 18.8 ppg.  Jackson Rowe is the only other player averaging double figures for Cal State Fullerton at 10.4 ppg.
 
LAST GAME AGAINST CAL STATE FULLERTON
The last matchup between these two games took place at the championship game of the USF Invitational on Dec. 10, 2005.  The Dons came away with a 93-91 win in overtime.  Leading the team in scoring was Dommanic Ingerson who scored a team-high 23 points en route to earning tournament MVP honors. USF trailed 42-29 at the half but outscored the Titans 51-39 in the second half to force overtime.  Armondo Surratt hit a triple with seven seconds remaining in regulation to knot the game up 80-80.  USF carried the momentum into extra time to hang on for the win.
 
UP NEXT
On Wednesday, USF will play the third of a four-game homestand when they host Northern Arizona at 7:00 p.m.  As always, the game will be streamed via TheW.tv.  Fans can also tune their radio dial to 1550-AM The GAME, the official home of USF Dons Basketball, to hear Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli with the call.  Tickets for Wednesday's game can be purchased at Dons Ticket Central.