by Team Del Genio
Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024In college basketball, Gonzaga has been the toast of the West Coast Conference for decades. Their stiffest competition has consistently been Saint Mary’s since Randy Bennett took over as the Gaels’ head coach in 2003. BYU was often the third-best team in the conference, and they have made the NCAA tournament a dozen times this century. They have six regular season titles as well since 2001. With BYU’s move to the Big 12 conference, the opportunity exists for another program to take over its position. San Francisco may fit the bill.
The Dons are a dangerous team this season because of their frontline. Center Jonathan Mobgo may win conference Player of the Year honors. He is making 66.3% of his shots inside the arc. For the season, he is averaging 15.0 points per game and adding 10.6 rebounds per game. Mike Sharavjamts and Ndewedo Newbury give him space to work inside since they are both stretch forwards who combine to make 42% of their shots from 3-point land.
As a team, the Dons rank 14th in the nation by making 57.4% of their 2-point shots. They are second in the nation with only 5.4% of their shots blocked by their opponent. On defense, head coach Chris Gerlufsen’s team ranks 29th in the country in defensive efficiency. San Francisco forces turnovers in 21.0% of their opponents' possessions which is the 31st best mark in the nation. They also limit second-chance scoring opportunities by limiting their opponents to rebounding only 23.6% of their missed shots.
The Dons were on a seven-game winning streak before a 77-60 upset loss at home to Saint Mary’s on January 20th. Those 60 points were the fewest they had scored in eight games. They then lost on the road at Gonzaga, 77-72, last Thursday. San Francisco responded last Saturday with a 76-64 victory at home against Portland.
They go into February with a 16-6 record overall. In conference play, they have a 5-2 record with their two losses to Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga which leaves them in fourth place. The fourth team in the mix is Santa Clara who San Francisco has yet to play this season. Their first encounter this season will be on February 10th. The Broncos upset Gonzaga earlier this season yet lost to Saint Mary’s by 24 points. The computer projections currently predict the Dons to win both their games against Santa Clara, so bettors should expect the oddsmakers to install San Francisco as the favorite in both games.
The Dons’ best victory this season to help their tournament resume was a 76-58 victory on a neutral court against Minnesota who has a 13-7 record going into February. The Golden Gophers are not likely to make the NCAA tournament, so San Francisco will need to take full advantage of their upcoming rematches against Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s to build their tournament resume. Without big wins against those teams, the Dons will need to win the West Coast Conference tournament.
That may be too tall a task for this team. Yet, San Francisco remains the team most likely to fill BYU’s shoes as the third-best basketball team in the conference.
Good luck - TDG.
The Dons are a dangerous team this season because of their frontline. Center Jonathan Mobgo may win conference Player of the Year honors. He is making 66.3% of his shots inside the arc. For the season, he is averaging 15.0 points per game and adding 10.6 rebounds per game. Mike Sharavjamts and Ndewedo Newbury give him space to work inside since they are both stretch forwards who combine to make 42% of their shots from 3-point land.
As a team, the Dons rank 14th in the nation by making 57.4% of their 2-point shots. They are second in the nation with only 5.4% of their shots blocked by their opponent. On defense, head coach Chris Gerlufsen’s team ranks 29th in the country in defensive efficiency. San Francisco forces turnovers in 21.0% of their opponents' possessions which is the 31st best mark in the nation. They also limit second-chance scoring opportunities by limiting their opponents to rebounding only 23.6% of their missed shots.
The Dons were on a seven-game winning streak before a 77-60 upset loss at home to Saint Mary’s on January 20th. Those 60 points were the fewest they had scored in eight games. They then lost on the road at Gonzaga, 77-72, last Thursday. San Francisco responded last Saturday with a 76-64 victory at home against Portland.
They go into February with a 16-6 record overall. In conference play, they have a 5-2 record with their two losses to Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga which leaves them in fourth place. The fourth team in the mix is Santa Clara who San Francisco has yet to play this season. Their first encounter this season will be on February 10th. The Broncos upset Gonzaga earlier this season yet lost to Saint Mary’s by 24 points. The computer projections currently predict the Dons to win both their games against Santa Clara, so bettors should expect the oddsmakers to install San Francisco as the favorite in both games.
The Dons’ best victory this season to help their tournament resume was a 76-58 victory on a neutral court against Minnesota who has a 13-7 record going into February. The Golden Gophers are not likely to make the NCAA tournament, so San Francisco will need to take full advantage of their upcoming rematches against Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s to build their tournament resume. Without big wins against those teams, the Dons will need to win the West Coast Conference tournament.
That may be too tall a task for this team. Yet, San Francisco remains the team most likely to fill BYU’s shoes as the third-best basketball team in the conference.
Good luck - TDG.
