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WCC Preview: San Francisco Dons

Jan 25, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; San Francisco Dons head coach Chris Gerlufsen looks one against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 77-72. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Decades ago, the University of San Francisco Dons were a factor in the world of college basketball. From 1955 to 1982 the program appeared in 15 NCAA National Tournaments. Yet, after that 1982 season San Francisco reached the tournament only twice. The 2021-2022 season was a turning point and since then they have compiled 67 wins. This last year they emerged as the third place team in the West Coast Conference. With a solid number of returners and expected improvement, the Dons will look to challenge the conference’s top programs.

WCC Preview: San Francisco Dons

San Francisco Dons: Key Departures

Jonathan Mogbo

Jonathan Mogbo’s one year on the “Hilltop” was a great one. The transfer from Missouri State averaged 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He was hyper efficient, shooting 63.6% from the floor, and even showcased some playmaking chops. Mogbo added in 3.6 assists per game for good measure. He was named the WCC Newcomer of the Year and a member of the First Team All-Conference squad. 

Losing Mogbo’s production will be difficult to replace. Finding a way to produce a nightly double-double will be hard enough. The bigger question for USF will be how they can make do without his elite athleticism. Mogbo brought legitimate NBA strength and verticality to the Don’s frontcourt. With players like Graham Ike, Mitchell Saxen and more playing in the paint San Francisco needs a high level forward or center.

Mike Sharavjamts

The San Francisco Dons were home to one of the more unique stories in college basketball last year. Mike Sharavjamts, known as “Mongolian Mike,” was an intriguing prospect who suited up for the Dayton Flyers his freshman season. He then transferred to San Francisco for his second year, where he served as a member of the teams starting backcourt. Statistically, he was productive to the tune of 7.7 points, 2.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds a night. 

While his numbers don’t jump off the page, Sharavjamts did stand 6’8″ as a point guard and scored in double figures 12 times. He also posted four or more assists 10 times to highlight his unique playmaking ability at that size. Sharavjamts is once again transferring, raising the question of what he is looking for in a program but the San Francisco Dons will have to replace solid nightly averages regardless.

San Francisco Dons: Top Returners

Marcus Williams

The strength of this team will be a trio of returning guards, likely led by Marcus Williams. A reigning member of the WCC’s 1st Team All-Conference squad, Williams was dynamic along the perimeter. He was second on the team in scoring with an average of 14 points a night. He also added in a team high 134 assists and was third on the team in total rebounds with 111.

With shooting slashes of 45.6% from the floor and 34.4% from the line, Williams will carry a big burden for the Dons this coming year. Thankfully, against the top competition he faced last season, he almost always came up big. In two games against Gonzaga, he averaged 18 points on 48% shooting. At Saint Mary’s, he went for 26 points on 55% from the floor. Lastly, when taking on Grand Canyon, he scored 19 points behind a solid 45% field goal percentage.

Malik Thomas

The team’s third leading scorer from last year is also back. Malik Thomas joined the San Francisco Dons after spending two years with the USC Trojans. He immediately became arguably the team’s top three-point shooting option, leading them with a solid 40% from deep on 120 attempts. He was named to the conference’s Honorable Mention team behind 12.4 points per game and 23 minutes per contest. 

Thomas is a scorer through and through, but he is limited as a rebounder or playmaker. As a defender, he doesn’t provide much “pop” along the perimeter, but at 6’5″, he knows how to get a bucket from all three levels. He is also interchangeable as a wing or guard if need be.

Ryan Beasley

Likely the most intriguing option for the Dons will be second-year guard Ryan Beasley. As a “true” freshman, the San Ramon native was a major piece of the team’s rotation. He averaged just over 23 minutes a game. His stats of 7.8 points per game and 39.5% from the floor don’t impress at first glance. But, he showed legitimate flashes of development as a dynamic combo guard. Beasley will likely shift between serving as the primary ball handler and the off-guard. 

He had outstanding moments throughout the year, particularly once conference play got underway. Look no further than his 17 points against the Saint Mary’s Gaels or 14 points against Gonzaga. Beasley is primed to either start alongside Thomas and Williams. If head coach Chris Gerlufsen chooses, he could also deploy the conference’s reigning Freshman of the Year as an elite sixth man option. Beasely should be on people’s radars as a breakout candidate.

San Francisco Dons: The Schedule

The Dons will be playing a tough preseason schedule that features a strong pool of non-conference opponents. Their first test will be a home matchup against Boise State. The Broncos were competitive in the deep Mountain West Conference with leading scorer Tyson Degenhart back in Boise blue.

The next big test will be the Clemson Tigers in a neutral site matchup in Florida. While the Tigers did lose their top two players from last season’s Elite Eight squad, the duo of Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin are back. The pair combined to average roughly 23 points and just under 13 rebounds per game. 

The last game that fans should circle is the December 5th matchup against the revamped St. Louis Bilikins. Head coach Josh Schertz has joined the program after his time at Indiana State. He will be bringing over multiple players from an incredibly dangerous Indiana State team. The headline will be the Don’s matchup against college basketball folk legend Robbie Avila. The glasses-wearing big man was dominant last year thanks to 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He was also shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from the arc while draining 61 3-pointers.

The Conference 

For the San Francisco Dons, it all boils down to four games. No amount of wins or accolades will truly elevate this team until they are capable of facing down the teams at the top of the WCC. Dating back to the 2021-2022 season, the Dons have posted an 0-15 record against the Gaels and Bulldogs. Until they can exorcize the demons that reside in Spokane and Moraga, there will be questions about how high this team can reach.

The Last Word

 The West Coast Conference will likely run through Gonzaga once again. Yet, Saint Mary’s has suffered a number of departures that could shake up the conference’s long-standing hierarchy. With a core of returning players that were knocking on the door of taking down their rivals, it may finally be time for basketball to return to a bit of glory in San Francisco. Bill Russell would be proud.

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