USF Men's Basketball Faces North Dakota State Following Season-Opening Win

North Dakota State Arrives as USF Looks to Extend Six-Game Opener Streak

San Francisco’s men’s basketball team, riding the high of a 76-62 season-opening victory over Radford, shifts its focus to a familiar foe from the Northern plains. The Dons will host North Dakota State this Friday at 7 p.m. in War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center, continuing their season-opening five-game homestand. USF, as reported by USFDons.com, is looking to start its campaign at 2-0 after beating Radford in the season opener.

The stakes are clear. A victory against the Bison would solidify the Dons’ momentum under head coach Chris Gerlufsen. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Barry Tompkins and Dan Belloumini on the call, and can also be heard on KNBR with Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli providing the radio analysis.

A History of Strong Starts

Monday’s win over Radford was the sixth consecutive season-opening victory for the program, a streak that perfectly coincides with head coach Chris Gerlufsen’s tenure. The Dons’ ability to win these early games is crucial for building team chemistry.

The win over Radford showed the Dons' strategic depth and resilience.

New Faces Fueling the Fire

Dylan Bordón, the Argentinian guard, wasted no time making an impact, leading the team with 20 points and dishing out a game-high seven assists in his first collegiate game. His aggressive play, taking 16 shots while contributing two steals, set the tone on both ends of the court for the Dons.

Bordón wasn’t alone. Gonzaga transfer Ismaila Diagne provided a dominant presence in the paint, recording a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Another transfer, Ben Oosterbaan, showcased his versatility with 10 points and three steals, hitting a key three-pointer after forcing a turnover on the defensive end. Even the returning players, like Aidan Braccia, had important roles, drilling two crucial three-pointers to swing momentum back in USF's favor when Radford was making a push.

A Familiar Foe and a Roadmap Ahead

While the Dons are focused on the immediate challenge of North Dakota State, they also look ahead to a demanding schedule. Following Friday’s game, USF will host Montana on November 10, then face Portland State on November 14 and Louisiana on November 18, all within the comfort of War Memorial Gym. The team will then venture out for its only two true non-conference road games at Fresno State on December 12 and Texas State on December 16.

The two programs have met only once before, a 73-65 North Dakota State victory on November 11, 2011, right here at USF.

Looking further into the season, the Dons’ journey will include national television exposure and neutral-site challenges. They are scheduled to appear on the ESPN platform for games against Santa Clara and Saint Mary’s, and on CBS Sports Network for several key matchups, including the home game against LMU on January 19. The Thanksgiving week will see them travel to Palm Desert for the Acrisure Classic, facing Nevada on November 23 and Oregon State on November 24.

Worth a look