The 21-7 Dons return to action on Thursday night needing a pair of wins to secure the second seed in the WCC Tournament. USF will first take on San Diego on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. before wrapping up the season against LMU on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.  Thursday's game will be streamed on TheW.tv and produced by Stadium, Dave Feldman will have the play-by-play with Dave Miller serving as analyst.  Sammy O'Brien will be the in game reporter. Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli will have the call on the radio on 1550-AM The GAME, the official home of USF Dons Basketball.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Feb. 28, 2019 – 7:00 p.m. PST
Opponent: San Diego Toreros (17-12, 6-8 WCC)
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Television:  TheW.tv – produced by Stadium, available everywhere.
Talent: Dave Feldman (play-by-play); Dave Miller (analyst); Sammy O'Brien (reporter)
Radio:  1550-AM The GAME
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play) and Jim Brovelli (analyst)
Live Stats: USFDons.com
Game Notes: USF vs. USD
 
USF AT A GLANCE

• At 21-7, USF is off to their best start through 28 games since 1981-82.  USF has started the season 21-7 or better 10 times, with the previous nine teams all advancing to the post season.
• After the win over Portland, USF won their 20th game in 26 tries, the fastest USF has won 20-games since the 1981 season when the Dons did it in their 24th game.
• The Dons are 13-1 at home this year, their lone loss was a defeat at the hands of Gonzaga - a game they led with less than three minutes to play.  USF is averaging 80.0 ppg at home and holding opponents to 64.9 ppg.
• With two games to play in the regular season, the Dons are currently in fourth in the WCC.  If the Dons go 2-0 in their final two home games they will secure the second seed in the WCC Tournament next week.
• Frankie Ferrari scored his 1,000 point in the second half against Santa Clara, he is 35th all-time with 1,010 career points. Over the last six games, he has scored 103 points, averaging 17.2 ppg while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 52.5 percent from 3-point range.
• Seniors Nate Renfro and Matt McCarthy are moving ever closer to the career games played record at USF.  Renfro has played in 128 games which is tied with Angelo Caloiaro (2008-12) for the program record.  McCarthy is currently in third with 127 games played. 
• First Half/Second Half: in 2018-19 The Dons two top scorers have each owned a half.  Charles Minlend is averaging 7.1 ppg in the first half while shooting 40.2 percent from the field.  In the second half, the game belongs to Ferrari who averages 8.9 ppg and shots 46.2 percent from the field.

 
THE SERIES
Thursday night will be the 83rd matchup between the Dons and Toreros.  The series dates back to Jan. 23, 1980 when USF defeated San Diego 90-76 on the Hilltop.  All-time the Dons are 42-40 against USD. However, USD is riding a three-game winning streak over the Dons after defeating USF 67-63 on Jan. 26 at Jenny Craig Pavilion.  At War Memorial at the Sobrato Center the Dons are 24-13. Last season, the Toreros defeated the Dons on Senior Night 64-61 on Feb. 24, 2018 to complete the season sweep over the Dons.
 
ABOUT THE TOREROS
The Toreros are 17-12 overall and 6-8 in WCC play, on the road USD is 4-7.  Over their last 10 contests, they are 4-6 - during that stretch they have only scored 70 or more twice, once coming in an 88-82 loss to BYU in overtime.  For the year, USD is averaging 72.3 points per game and shooting 46.2 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 68.5 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field.  Three players are averaging better than 10 ppg and are led by Isaiah Pineiro's 19.2 ppg.
 
LAST GAME AGAINST SAN DIEGO
The Dons led by 14 points with 41 seconds left in the first half after stymieing San Diego for 20 solid minutes.  In the second half, the Toreros returned serve, erasing the 14 point USF lead, on a strong second half that led to USF coming away with the 67-63 upset at home.  Three players finished in double figures for USF, Charles Minlend led the Dons with 16 points, Nate Renfro had 15, Matt McCarthy had 11.  USF could not stop Isaiah Pineiro who finished with a game-high 22 points, along with 13 rebounds for a double-double.  Pineiro had a monster second half, scoring 16 of his 22 after the intermission.

UP NEXT
USF will wrap up the regular season at home on Saturday when they host Loyola Marymount.  It will be the only time the Dons and Lions tangle this year.  Saturday's contest is slated for 1:00 p.m.  With the importance of Saturday's game, Senior day - which traditionally takes place in a special pregame ceremony, will be held immediately following the contest. USF will honor its four seniors, Frankie Ferrari, Matt McCarthy, Michael Orlich, and Nate Renfro.