Dons Notes: Previewing Sonoma State

Nov 24, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Richard Amardi (13) defends against San Francisco Dons forward Kruize Pinkins (15) at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the post-Doolin era of Dons basketball.

The Dons open up their first ever Golden Gate Challenge today as they take on the D-2 Sonoma State Seawolves. This will be USF’s second and last D-2 opponent of the year. The Golden Gate Challenge is a four day, six game event replacing the Hilltop Challenge from previous years. The other two teams participating in the tournament include the Vermont Catamounts and the Illinois State Redbirds.

The Dons should not have much trouble with Sonoma State. The Seawolves currently have a record of 1-2 for the 2013-2014 campaign with the lone win coming against Notre Dame de Naumr. USF defeated Notre Dame de Namur on Opening Night earlier this season. As the series currently stands, the Dons lead the Seawolves to the tune of a 7-0. Expect to see the same adjustments from the weekend road trip as it relates to USF’s guards positions. Expect to see Chris Adams, Tim Derksen, and Corey Hilliard benefit with more minutes on the floor. Matt Glover and Avry Holmes will probably drive the ball up the court in Doolin’s place for the remainder of the season.

The Dons have averaged 87.2 points per game this year. I expect to see the Dons score more than their current average tonight against a weaker D-2 opponent. On the Sonoma side of the ball, Dons fans should expect to see guard, Sterling Arterberry, and forward, Brandon Glanz, lead the Seawolves on the offensive side of the ball. These two young men have scored about 45% of the Sonoma’s point this year. Glanz also leads the Seawolves in rebounding per game with an average of 7 rebounds. James Davis, a Sonoma Sophmore guard, is the Seawolves shooting threat beyond the arch as he is currently shooting a team leading 40% from downtown.

The other game being played tonight at the Hilltop is between the Vermont Catamounts and the Illinois State Redbirds. The Dons will take on both of these teams later in the Golden Gate Challenge. Full previews will be provided as those games approach. However, a neat fact to note for this particular game is the Willis family reunion matching Tony Willis from Illinois State against his brother Harry “Dre” Willis of Vermont. Happy to see the Dons can bring the Willis family together in San Francisco for Thanksgiving – enjoy the wonderful city.

Few For The Road

Unfortunately, one of the best Dons to ever step foot at the Hilltop will no longer be playing with the Green & Gold. Even though senior night is a few months away, Cody Doolin’s praise was spoken over social media last night. Here are a few of the tweets: