The University of San Francisco men's basketball team looks to get back into the win column on Thursday night.  To do that they will take on a streaking BYU team on the road.  The Dons and Cougars are set to square off at 6:00 p.m. PT at the Marriott Center.  Thursday's game will be televised coast-to-coast on CBS Sports Network with John Sadak and Chris Walker handling the play-by-play duties.  Pat Olson will have the Dons' radio call on the home of USF Dons Basketball, KNBR 1050-AM.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Feb. 25, 2021 – 6:00 p.m. PT
Opponent: BYU Cougars (17-5, 8-3 WCC)
Site: Marriott Center
TV: CBS Sports Network
Talent: John Sadak (play-by-play); Chris Walker (analyst)
Radio:  KNBR 1050-AM
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play)
Live Stats: BYUCougars.com


USF AT A GLANCE
 
Series History: BYU COUGARS
Thursday will be the 31st time the Dons and Cougars have squared off and the 20th time since BYU joined the WCC in the 2011-12 season.  All-time the Cougars are 21-9 against the Dons and are 9-2 at Marriott Center. The first match-up between these two teams took place on Dec. 12, 1952 with the Cougars defeating USF 53-52 in Provo.  Earlier this season, the Cougars came back from 10 down to defeat the Dons by nine at home, winning 72-63.  Head coach Todd Golden is 1-2 against the Cougars and BYU's head coach Mark Pope is 2-2 against the Dons - having lost a game at USF in the CBI when he was the head coach at Utah Valley.
 
About the COUGARS
The Cougars are hot, BYU has won four of its last five and eight of its last 10.  They have won two-straight - lopsided wins over Pacific and Loyola Marymount.  At the Marriott Center, the Cougars are 8-2, the two losses against No. 1 Gonzaga and Boise State.  As a team, BYU is averaging 79.2 points per game and shooting 48.4 percent from the field.  Three players average double figures, leading the team in scoring is guard Alex Barcello at 15.4 points per contest.  The Cougars opponents are averaging 67.8 points per game and shooting 40.9 percent from the field.
 
Last Time Out Versus BYU
The Dons held an eight-point lead midway through the second half when BYU's frontcourt took over.  The Cougars strong interior post play was the difference as BYU stunned the Dons 72-63 on Saturday night at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. Khalil Shabazz led the Dons with 30 points, his third career 30-point game and second against BYU at War Memorial Gym. 
 
BYU had four in double figures led by Alex Barcello's 19, 17 of that coming after the intermission.  Richard Harward had 13 along with 11 rebounds for a double-double, Matt Haarms had 11 and Gideon George had 10.
 
Late in the second half the Cougars physically took over.  With the game tied 40-40 with 9:46 to play, the Cougars scored seven baskets inside the paint propelling them on a 9-0 run to take the lead 58-49.