2009-10 Opponent Preview: San Francisco

As the 2009-10 season men’s basketball season approaches, BYUCougars.com continues to preview each of the Cougars’ opponents. Today’s preview-San Francisco.

Game Preview

San Francisco faces BYU up north in Salt Lake City, hosted by EnergySolutions Arena. EnergySolutions will be home to the West Regional third and fourth rounds of the NCAA Tournament in March.

San Francisco was not known for its performances on the road last season, dropping 13 of 16 games overall. Conversely, BYU is content not to go to the Dons’ home arena—the Cougars lost their last game at San Francisco in 2002 by double digits after winning their first eight of nine games to start the season.

Season Outlook

Former Kansas and NBA player Rex Winters is beginning his sophomore season at San Francisco. Under his watch, the Dons recorded their first winning non-conference season since 2004-05. All but one player on this year’s roster are already recruits found by Winters as San Francisco looks to climb up in the WCC standings.

Player to Watch

Dior Lowhorn, F, Sr., 6-7, 230

Lowhorn was named First Team West Coast Conference for the second year in a row, averaging 20.1 points per game. Lowhorn also led the Dons in rebounds per game (6.9) in addition to top team marks in what are normally two opposite categories—total three-pointers (38) and blocks (17).

Other Key Players

Blake Wallace, F

Kwame Vaughn, G

Dontae Bryant, G

Game Implications

A win would be a landmark victory for Walters and his program. BYU, 2-1 in at ESA in the past three years, will be the overwhelming home team in a place they could return to three months later.

Dons at a Glance

Head Coach	Rex Walters
At Weber State	2nd year / 11-19
2008-09 Record	11-19 overall, 3-11 West Coast
Home/Road/Neutral	7-5, 3-13, 1-1
Starters Ret/Lost	4/1
Lettermen Ret/Lost	6/5

2008-09 Team Stats

Points/Game	67.7
Points Allowed/Game	70.4
Field Goal %	.433
Opponent FG %	.454
Rebounds/Game	32.0
Assists/Game	12.5
Steals/Game	5.3
Blocks/Game	2.1

Returning Stat Leaders

Points/Game	Dior Lowhorn, 20.1
Rebounds/Game	Dior Lowhorn, 6.9
Assists/Game	Dontae Bryant, 3.1
Steals	Dontae Bryant, 39
Blocks	Dior Lowhorn, 17
Three-pointers	Dior Lowhorn, 38