Nov. 2, 2007

USF HOSTS SONOMA STATE IN LONE 2007-08 EXHIBITION: USF welcomes Sonoma State to the Hilltop Saturday, November 3 for its lone exhibition game prior to competing in the 2K College Hoops Classic. The Dons took on the Seawolves in the 2006-07 regular season opener, seizing a 87-73 victory last November 11. Antonio Kellogg led all scorers with 22 points, while Alan Wiggins, Jr. pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds. Last season's contest against Sonoma State was a memorable night for sophomore forward Jay Watkins, who scored 17 points on 7-of-11 from the field in his first game and inaugural start of his college basketball career. The game will feature live streaming audio courtesy of Yahoo Broadcast and GameTracker, courtesy of CSTV.

USF OPENS REGULAR SEASON AT 2K COLLEGE HOOPS CLASSIC: USF opens the 94th season of basketball on the Hilltop when it competes in the 2007 2K College Hoops Classic, benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. Playing in the Norman Regional, the Dons take on host Oklahoma Thursday, November 8 at the Lloyd Noble Center in a contest set for a 5:00 PM (PT) tip. Denver and East Central round out the regional field with the consolation/championship games set for Friday. The Sooners are coming off a 16-15 campaign, finishing tied for seventh in the Big-12 at 6-10. The contest is the second between the two schools and the first meeting since the Dons took a 68-61 victory December 15, 1979 at War Memorial Gym.

Manny Quezada LEADS DONS OFFENSE: Junior guard Manny Quezada looks to improve upon a solid sophomore season for the Green and Gold in 2007-08. The Dons leading returning scorer (13.2), Quezada was named as one of six West Coast Conference "Players to Watch" by the league's coaches. In his first season after transferring from Rutgers, Quezada ranked 11th among WCC scoring leaders to go along with 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Quezada showed a glimpse of his offensive prowess last season when he tossed in 28 second half points en route to a career-high 35 points, on 11-of-19 shooting from the field at Saint Mary's (2/19/07).

Dior Lowhorn SET FOR GREEN AND GOLD DEBUT: After sitting out the entire 2006-07 season under NCAA transfer rules, sophomore forward Dior Lowhorn is ready to begin his USF career when the Dons take on Oklahoma in the first round of the 2K College Hoops Classic. The Texas Tech transfer and Bay Area native averaged 7.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a freshman for the Red Raiders and scored a career-high 20 points in a road loss to the Dons (12/3/05). Lowhorn was named NorCal Player of the Year also captured "Bay Area Player of the Year" honors from the Oakland Tribune and the San Francisco Chronicle following his senior campaign at Berkeley High School.

NEW FACES ON THE DONS BENCH: In addition to four player newcomers for the 2007-08 season, USF fourth-year head coach Jessie Evans welcomes two new assistant coaches to the bench this season. David Grace enters his first season with the Dons after serving the 2006-07 season at Sacramento State. USF Hall-of-Famer Mike Quick also joins the staff at his alma mater. A 1973 graduate, Quick helped the Dons to three consecutive NCAA Regional appearances.

USF DONS ON GREEN 960 AM: USF men's basketball returns to the airwaves and cyberspace for the 2007-2008 season and all games will be available live at USFDons.com, while all games starting after 7:00 PM (PT) will air live on Green 960 AM. Join Pat Olson for the play-by-play in his 17th year behind the microphone courtside. USF Hall-of-Famer Jim Brovelli will join Olson on selected broadcasts throughout the year. Other features available on USFDons.com include GameTracker, courtesy of CSTV.com with live play-by-play and streaming video of all non-televised home games courtesy of Yahoo Broadcast.