SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Back home after being crowned Las Vegas Invitational Champions last weekend, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (8-0, 0-0) is set to host UNLV (4-4, 0-0) tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 4 as the Dons aim to remain perfect on the season and push their winning streak to nine consecutive games.
 
GAME 9 INFORMATION:
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 – 7:00 p.m.
Opponent: UNLV (4-4, 0-0 Mountain West) 
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center (San Francisco, Calif.)
Video: WCC Network (Pat Olson + Jim Brovelli) 
Live Stats: Statbroadcast 
Listen: KNBR 1050 (Pat Olson + Jim Brovelli)
Tickets: Buy Here
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Last time out, USF impressed by hanging on to top UAB, 63-61, in the championship game of the Las Vegas Invitational on Friday, Nov. 26 at Orleans Arena. Prior to their win over the Blazers, the Dons took down Towson, 71-61, on Thanksgiving Day for the second straight year having previously defeated the Tigers, 79-68, in the Mohegan Sun Bubbleville Pod on Nov. 26, 2020. Notably, the current winning streak marks USF's first 8-0 start since 1976-77, when the Dons began 26-0 under head coach Bob Galliard. That season, USF finished 29-2 overall, which included a win over No. 15 Tennessee as the Dons reached the first round of the NCAA Tournament while also finishing No. 8 in the final AP poll. 
• Head coach Todd Golden is now 41-26 (.612) through his first 67 games at the helm of the Dons. Overall, the Dons have won their first seven contests of the year in three of the last four seasons (dating back to 2018-19).
• Through Nov. 30, USF is currently ranked No. 36 overall in the Ken Pomeroy rankings having tallied wins over UAB (51), Nevada (70) and Davidson (81).
• As a team, the Dons currently rank in the top 50 nationally in: three-point field goals made (86, 6^th), three-point field goal attempts (221, 13^th), three-point field goals per game (10.8, 21^st), free throw attempts (153, 37^th), free throws made (104, 44^th), field goal percentage (49.1, 30^th), rebounding margin (9.1, 33^rd), three-point field goal percentage (38.9, 39^th), total blocks (35, 35^th) and total rebounds (303, 17^th). 

SCOUTING THE RUNNIN' REBELS:

• In their last matchup, UNLV fell at SMU, 83-64, in their first true road game of the season on Wed, Dec. 1. After starting the year with three straight home wins, the Runnin' Rebels have dropped three of their last four contests. However, two of these losses have come at the hands of then No. 4 Michigan (Nov. 19) and then No. 2 UCLA (Nov. 27).
• Individually, guard Bryce Hamilton leads UNLV in scoring at 15.3 points per game, with forward Donovan Williams right behind at 9.8 points per game. On the glass, forward Royce Hamm Jr. currently ranks second in the Mountain West in rebounding with 10.5 per contest (15th in the country) while also averaging 8.9 points and 1.1 blocks per game. Additionally, guard Jordan McCabe leads the team in assists at 4.3 apg (sixth in the MW) and is second in the conference and thirteenth in the country in assist/turnover ratio (4.4).
• Similar to USF, UNLV possesses a new look this year with nine transfers - eight coming from the Division I level, including four from Big 12 programs. Overall, returners from last year's squad include Hamilton and Marvin Coleman as the fifteen man roster includes thirteen upperclassmen.
• Prior to the beginning of the season, Hamilton was selected to the 2021-22 Preseason All-Mountain West Team. Initially declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft, the Second Team All-Mountain West Honoree, who led the Runnin' Rebels in scoring with 17.9 points per game in 2020-21, decided to return to UNLV. 

SERIES HISTORY:

• Saturday's meeting will mark the first matchup between the two programs in fifteen years as UNLV and USF last squared off on Nov. 25, 2006, which resulted in a 96-88 victory for the Runnin' Rebels. Overall, UNLV currently holds the lead in the all-time series, 9-6, as USF has not beat the Runnin' Rebels at home in San Francisco since a 113-103 win on Feb. 14, 1975. 

TRACK THE ACTION:
Saturday's contest will air live on the WCC Network and on KNBR 1050 at 7:00 pm. Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli will have the call from War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. Live streaming, live audio, live statistics and tickets are available above and via the team's schedule page.
 
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF men's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on Twitter, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.