The University of San Francisco men's basketball team looks to make it three in a row when the Portland Pilots come to the Hilltop.  Thursday's game is the last home contest before USF starts a crucial three-game road trip starting Saturday in San Diego.  The game between the Pilots and Dons will be streamed everywhere via TheW.tv with Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli on the call.  As always, fans can hear Pat and Jim on the radio on the official home of USF Dons basketball, 1550-AM The GAME.  Thursday's game will be USF's annual Suits and Sneakers game. 

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Jan. 24, 2019 – 7:00 p.m. PST
Opponent: Portland Pilots (7-13, 0-5 WCC)
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. Portland
 
USF AT A GLANCE

• At 16-3, USF is off to their best start through 19 games since the 1981-82 season when the Dons opened the year 17-2.  USF has started the season 16-3 or better 11 times, with the previous 10 teams all advancing to the post season.
• At home this year, the Dons are 10-1 overall and averaging 79.1 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field.  They are limiting their opponents to 63.5 points per game giving the Dons a +15.5 scoring margin.  Senior Frankie Ferrari leads the team averaging 16.3 points per game on the home floor. 
• The Dons are 16th in the nation in scoring margin at +14.3. On Saturday, the Dons tallied their 10th win of the season by 15 or more when they defeated BYU 82-63. The win ended an 11-game losing streak to the Cougars.
• In the latest NET rankings, the Dons rose nine spots from No. 48 to 39th.  The Dons are one of two teams in the WCC in the top-40 with Gonzaga at No. 4.  The Dons rank ahead of 11 of the 12 Pac-12 teams in the NET.
• After being absent for three weeks, the Dons are once again receiving votes in the AP Poll.  USF is currently receiving two votes. The Dons were receiving votes for three-straight weeks during December.  
• Senior guard Frankie Ferrari was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week following the Dons 2-0 week last week with wins on the road over Pacific and a runaway win over BYU.  It is the first time this season and second time in his career that he has earned Player of the Week honors.  The other time came on Feb. 19, 2018 following the Dons upset over No. 15 Saint Mary's.
• The Dons are absent a 1,000 point scorer - however, USF has four active players with 750 or more points, led by Jordan Ratinho's 872.
• The Dons are 15th in the nation in turnovers per game, averaging just 10.7 turnovers per contest.  However, in the last two games the Dons have committed 15 turnovers in back-to-back games which are season-highs.  However, it didn't hurt the Dons as they won both games. On the year, USF is 11-2 when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent and 4-1 when they have more.
• USF is averaging 7.8 made 3-point field goals per game, that ranks tied for fifth in the WCC. In 2018-19, the Dons are 9-0 when making eight or more 3-point field goals.  Under Kyle Smith, USF is 41-15 when making at least eight 3-point field goals. 

SUITS AND SNEAKERS GAME
Thursday's contest against the Pilots will be the Dons annual Suits and Sneakers game.  Wear a suit jacket and sneakers to the box office to receive a $5 dollar general admission ticket.  Thanks to Coaches vs. Cancer supporters, the American Cancer Society is providing hope to millions of cancer patients and their families. The Society offers free rides to treatment, a live 24/7 helpline, and free lodging near hospitals for people dealing with every type of cancer. The Society is attacking cancer from every angle and needs your help to finish the fight. Visit cancer.org today to learn more.
 
THE SERIES
On Thursday, the Dons and Pilots will resume a series that dates back to the 1953 season.  All-time the Dons are 60-27 against the Pilots and have won six in a row and nine of the last 10. At War Memorial, the Dons are 33-9 against UP.  Last season, the Dons took both halves of the season series, winning big at the Chiles Center winning by 23, 84-61.  Last time out, the Pilots put a scare into the Dons, with USF escaping with a narrow 65-63 win on Feb. 8, 2018. 
 
ABOUT THE PILOTS
The Pilots enter this week 7-13 overall and are 0-5 in WCC play.  The Pilots have lost six-straight and eight of their last 10. On the road, the Pilots are 1-6, their lone road win coming at CSUN on Nov. 17.  As a team, Portland is averaging 68.6 points per game which ranks last in the WCC.  Three players are averaging better than 10 points per game, led by Marcus Shaver Jr's 15.3.  Last time out, the Pilots fell to Gonzaga at home 89-66. 
 
LAST GAME AGAINST PORTLAND
On February 8, 2018 the Pilots gave the Dons a battle at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.  USF went into the locker room nursing a 2-point advantage, up 28-26 and game away with a 65-63 win.  For the Dons, it was their 14th of the season and saw them pull to within one game of .500 in the WCC.  Four players finished in double figures for the Dons who were led by Frankie Ferrari's 13 points.  Former Don Chase Foster had a big night with 11 points and five assists.  Nate Renfro and Matt McCarthy combined for 22 points and 12 rebounds between themselves.  The Pilots were led by Marcus Shaver Jr.'s game-high 22 points. He was the only player in double figures for the Pilots who shot 45.8 percent from the field, including a 52.2 percent from 3-point range.  

UP NEXT
The Dons begin a crucial three-game road trip starting Saturday when they travel to San Diego to take on the Toreros on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.  The game will be streamed live on TheW.tv with Dave Friedman and Dave Miller on the call.  As always, fans can tune in to the official home of USF Dons basketball, 1550-AM The GAME, to hear Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli call the game courtside.