Each week, USFDons.com will take a look back at the big takeaways that happened on and off the court for the Dons, and what they mean for the rest of the season.
   
SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's basketball team wrapped up November 7-1, entering Saturday's contest the Dons are 8-2 following last Wednesday's 76-64 win over visiting California. 
 
With finals week wrapping up and the Dons preparing for their longest road trip to date (games at Cal State Fullerton followed by a trip to Stanford), let's take a look back at the five takeaways from the Dons' strong start.
 
  - The Dons Can Score
 

"We are off to a great start scoring the basketball," said head coach Todd Golden. "We rank 11^th nationally in scoring offense with 84.0 points per game."  Through 10 games this season USF has eclipsed the 80-point plateau six times.  Twice this year the Dons have scored 100 points – the last time USF scored 100 or more twice in the same season was the 2015-16 campaign. 
 
 - The Bench is Deep
 

"We have four guys currently scoring in double figures.  More than that we are nine guys deep that make offensive contributions nightly," said Golden.
 
USF's bench is averaging 28.2 points per game.  Leading USF's reserves is sophomore Khalil Shabazz, who is scoring 10.0 points per contest.  Also coming off the bench and making huge contributions is Remu Raitanen, who is having a career-year with 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest.  Sophomore guard Trevante Anderson has played in all 10 games and though he averages just 8.8 minutes per contest he has provided the Dons a tremendous boost defensively coming off the bench. 
 
 - Dons Own the Glass
 

"We have done a nice job on both sides of the glass," added Golden. "We're consistently out-rebounding our opponents on both ends."
 
USF is averaging 39.9 rebounds per game, which is 56^th in the nation, they are plus 8.2 in the rebound margin which ranks 25^th in the nation.  They have outrebounded their opponents in all but two contests this season and are 7-1 in games in which they outrebound their opponents. On the offensive glass, USF is averaging 12.7 offensive boards per game which has allowed the Dons to score 13.4 second chance points per contest.  Six players are averaging better than three rebounds per game.  USF is led by senior Jimbo Lull who is averaging 8.0 rebounds per contest.  
 
  - Get Ahead Stay Ahead
 
Prior to the Hawaii game, the Dons had trailed for only 33 TOTAL minutes in 2019-20. In the win over the Golden Bears – Cal scored first on a free throw, thenJimbo Lull hit a bucket with 16:54 to take the lead the Dons never looked back.  USF has led wire-to-wire five times this year.  USF is 8-0 when they go into the locker room with the lead.   
 
 
  - Dons Need to do Better Against the Three

 
"We have to do a better job defending the three," said Golden. "Teams are shooting a ridiculous 39 percent from 3-point range against us this season."
 
The 3-point field goal is a major part of college basketball.  Last year the Dons ranked as one of the best defensive 3-point teams in the country.  This year, USF ranks 337^th out of 351 teams allowing opponents to connect on 39.3 percent of their 3-point field goal attempts against the Dons.  In USF's two losses, Hawaii and Arizona State combined to shoot 14-for-29 from beyond the arc (48.2 percent).
 

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The Dons are back in action on Saturday when they take on Cal State Fullerton at 2:00 p.m. USF returns home on Dec. 21 to host UC Davis, also at 2:00 p.m.
 
Tickets for all home games can be purchased at USFDons/tickets or by clicking here: