USD finally gets to play, taking on 13-2 San Francisco
USD coach Sam Scholl says, "I think we still have a lot to learn about each other on the floor. Who are guys that need to get a shot? Who's playing well, who's hot?"
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Toreros, who haven't seen action since Dec. 22, have a hard schedule ahead
By DON NORCROSS
Jan. 7, 2022 10:14 PM PT
The first thing USD basketball players see upon walking into their locker room is a TV screen showing the West Coast Conference standings. The TV has been on display since Nov. 9, the first day of the season.
Said head coach Sam Scholl, "We want them to see what's going on in this great conference."
What the Toreros (7-6) have witnessed is that the WCC is potentially headed toward a historical season. Eight of the 10 teams boast winning records. Out of 350 NCAA Tournament-eligible programs, four WCC teams rank in the Kenpom metric's top 36: Gonzaga (2), BYU (26), Saint Mary's (33) and USF (36).
All four are projected to make the NCAA Tournament.
Of the conference, Scholl said, "It's setting up to be an unprecedented year. (The WCC has never advanced four teams to the Big Dance.) We want to give our guys an outlook of what's to come."
What's to come, as fifth-year senior guard Joey Calcaterra put it, is "a grind."
After a nine-day delay because of COVID protocols, the Toreros are scheduled to open their 43rd WCC season today at USF (13-2). Coaches and prognosticators predict the next 50 days will be trying for the Toreros.
In a coaches' preseason poll, USD was picked ninth. Kenpom predicts the outcome of every Division I game and forecasts that the Toreros will finish 5-11 in the WCC. If accurate, that would leave USD 12-18 going into the WCC postseason tournament, a third straight losing season under Scholl.
The head coach, as you would expect, pays little to no attention to such conjecture.
Asked his goal for the conference season, Scholl said, "At the end of the year that our record reflects we're a contender, that we're ready to go to the WCC Tournament and win it. That's what we're building for."
The WCC's complete Kenpom rankings are: Gonzaga (2), BYU (26), Saint Mary's (33), USF (36), Santa Clara (83), LMU (113), USD (206), Pepperdine (227), Pacific (246) and Portland (281). Given those numbers, a seventh-place finish would be commendable for the Toreros.
For the second straight season, USD has rebuilt via Division I transfers. This year's roster features 10 new players, five via DI transfers. The season jumped off to a promising start. After blowing out Division III La Verne 103-38, the program's largest margin of victory in 59 years, the Toreros upset Nevada on the road.
With the Wolf Pack ranked 90th in Kenpom, it's the Toreros' most impressive win. There's also a nice win against UC Riverside (ranked 140th in Kenpom).
But the Toreros' nonconference play has been inconsistent with two low points. USD wasted a 19-point lead at home against Cal State Fullerton, losing 57-55 when the Titans took the lead for the first time with 4.1 seconds to play.
Nine days later USD lost to Cal State Northridge at home. The Matadors are ranked 297th in Kenpom.
As has been USD's biggest issue the past two seasons, the Toreros' main challenge has been scoring. USD averages 66.5 points, 287th in the nation. Take away wins against La Verne and Division II Cal Lutheran and the Toreros average 61.6 points, which would rank 333rd.
"I think our guys know each other pretty well as teammates and guys off the court," said Scholl. "I think we still have a lot to learn about each other on the floor. Who are guys that need to get a shot? Who's playing well, who's hot?"
The Toreros don't take care of the basketball. Their assists-to-turnover ratio (.81) ranks 308th in the nation.
"Just value the ball," said Scholl.
On the positive side, USD is playing good defense, giving up 60.3 points, 25th in the nation, although the team's deliberate offensive style is a factor there.
Opening conference play against USF would be challenging under the best of circumstances. The Dons feature one of the nation's best guards in Jamaree Bouyea, who averages 17.8 points, 5 rebounds and leads the team with 54 assists.
Compounding matters, the Toreros will not be at anywhere near full strength. Guard Jase Townsend will miss his fourth straight game with a broken right hand. Monday marked his fourth week since the injury. His cast has been removed but thus far all he can do is dribble and take short shots. He'll likely miss at least another two weeks.
Because of COVID protocols, only six scholarship players practiced Wednesday. Center Vladimir Penchuk (illness) will not play the next two games.
Regarding the challenging WCC schedule, Scholl said, "We talked about how we have to be at our absolute best just to have a chance to compete. Being at our absolute best may not even equate to wins. That's what's called on just to have a chance to compete."
Toreros at USF
Today: 4 p.m., War Memorial Gym, San Francisco
On the air: Bally Sports West; Audio — usdtoreros.com
Records: Toreros 7-6; Dons 13-2
Series history: USF leads 47-40
Line: Dons by 15
Toreros update: USD has not played since an 80-57 loss Dec. 22 at UNLV. Compounding matters, the Toreros are banged up and dealing with COVID issues. Only six scholarship players practiced Wednesday. As many as four players who started each of the first eight games of the season may not play. USD defends the 3 well (28.1 percent, 23rd in the nation). That'll be tested against USF. The Dons average making 10.1 3s, 21st in the nation.
Dons update: After having not played since Dec. 28, USF scheduled a last-minute, WCC tune-up for Thursday, a 79-74 loss to Loyola-Chicago. The game was played at a Salt Lake City community college. The Ramblers are ranked 21st in Kenpom, so the loss won't negatively impact the Dons' NCAA Tournament hopes. Former USD big man Yauhen Massalski is enjoying a breakout season for USF, averaging 14.1 points and 7.7 rebounds. He was 10 of 10 from the field Thursday. Free throws, though, are still an issue (42.1 percent).
Up next: at Pepperdine 7 p.m., Monday.
Norcross is a freelance writer.
SportsCollegeSports
Play suspended at EPL game due to drone hovering above field
Play has been suspended in the first half of a Premier League match between Brentford and Wolverhampton because a drone was hovering above the field
Aztecs finally practice with full roster after COVID break
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles land edge rusher, wide receiver and safety in first-round projections
Baseball America top-100: CJ Abrams rising, MacKenzie Gore off the list
Column: San Diego helped ex-broadcaster John Tesh mend after cancer treatments
Grant's 2 goals lead Anaheim Ducks' 5-1 rout of Tampa Bay