Sept. 25, 2008

Complete 2008-09 Men's Basketball Schedule in PDF Format

(San Francisco) - USF head men's basketball coach Rex Walters announces the 2008-09 schedule featuring eight games against 2008 NCAA Tournament teams, 10 contests against teams competing in the postseason a year ago and four matchups against defending conference champions. The Dons open the Rex Walters era Friday, November 14 in Hawaii against the host Rainbows in the Verizon Wireless Tip-Off Classic.

"We are really excited to get the basketball season going again," Walters said. "We have a very tough non-conference road schedule, but it will definitely challenge us to come together as a team very early. Your support is welcomed and needed when we come back to the Hilltop and take on teams like UC Santa Barbara, Colorado State and Long Beach State."

After wrapping up play in the Islands against Texas State in the tournament finale, San Francisco returns to the mainland to take on ancient Bay Area rival Cal Tuesday, November 18 at Haas Pavilion. It is the first meeting between the Dons and Golden Bears since the 2002-03 season.

Coach Walters makes his Hilltop debut Friday, November 21 against the Academy of Art. Defending Big West regular season champion UC Santa Barbara then invades War Memorial Monday, November 24 and Colorado State comes to town for a matinee Saturday, November 29.

After taking on the Rams, USF travels to Los Angeles to take on rising Pac-10 power USC Monday, December 1 at the Galen Center. It is the first game for the Dons against the Trojans since 1972. San Francisco then takes on Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo Wednesday December 3. The Dons return home to welcome the 49ers of Long Beach State to War Memorial Gym Saturday, December 6 in the only home contest of the month.

USF embarks on a rugged five-game road trip, beginning Tuesday, December 9 at Pacific. San Francisco travels to Boise to square off against WAC Champion Boise State December 13 at Taco Bell Arena and then renew a decade dormant series at Bay Area rival San Jose State December 22 before breaking for the Christmas holiday

San Francisco closes out its road swing with a trip to the East Coast, beginning Saturday, December 27 at Holy Cross and closes the calendar on 2008 at Boston College on December 29. USF rings in the new year when it hosts Cal State East Bay Saturday, January 3 in its final non-conference tune-up before opening West Coast Conference action.

Competition in the WCC figures to be fierce as usual in 2009, the 56th season of league play. Last season three teams - Gonzaga, Saint Mary's and San Diego - advanced to the NCAA Tournament with the surprising Toreros charging to the Sweet-16. This season, the league schedule returns to the Thursday/Saturday format.

"What a great basketball conference! We are excited about the possibilities with our team as we take on the programs in the West Coast Conference," Walters said. "There are going to be some great basketball games played during the league season."

USF opens conference play by hosting two 2008 NCAA Tournament teams when it welcomes WCC Tournament Champion San Diego to the Hilltop Friday, January 9. The Dons then tackle longtime Bay Area foe Saint Mary's Sunday, January 11.

San Francisco heads to the Pacific Northwest to take on Portland in the Chiles Center Thursday, January 15 and then onto Spokane for a Saturday contest against defending regular season champion and perennial NCAA power Gonzaga in the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Dons conclude a three-game road trip Friday, January 23 at Santa Clara in a game televised live on ESPNU.

USF closes out the first half of the league loop when it welcomes Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount to the Hilltop beginning with a Thursday, January 29 contest against the Waves. The Dons then open the second half of WCC play on the road at Saint Mary's Thursday, February 5 and then travel to Southern California for a Saturday game against the Toreros at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Portland visits Thursday February 12 to kick off a three-game homestand for the Dons and then welcomes Gonzaga on Valentine's Day in a contest televised live on ESPNU. Santa Clara visits the Hilltop Saturday, February 21 in the 2008-09 regular season home finale.

USF closes the WCC regular season in Southern California at LMU and Pepperdine, beginning Thursday, February 26 against the Lions in Gersten Pavilion.

2009 West Coast Conference Tournament in Las Vegas - March 6-9 This season, the WCC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships will move to the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. It marks the first time in conference history that the league's premier event will be held on a neutral site. The 2009 basketball championships will be the 23rd annual event on the men's side and the 17th annual women's tournament, and takes place March 6-9.