The fog usually rolls thick over the Hilltop by the time the late-game whistles start blowing at the Sobrato Center. It’s a San Francisco staple. But this year, the atmosphere around the university of san francisco basketball schedule feels a little less like a standard mid-major grind and a lot more like a program on the verge of a serious breakthrough.
If you’ve been following Chris Gerlufsen’s squad, you know they aren't just playing for "participation trophies" in the WCC anymore. They’re hunting.
Honestly, the 2025-26 slate is a beast. Between the non-conference gauntlets and the fact that the West Coast Conference basically expanded into a mini-super-league with Oregon State and Washington State joining the fray, there are no "gimme" games. If you’re planning your weekends around the Dons, you’re going to need a lot of coffee and probably a few extra layers for those night games on Golden Gate Avenue.
The Big Dates You Can't Miss
Look, everyone circles the Gonzaga game. It’s the law in the WCC. But the university of san francisco basketball schedule this year has some other sneaky-good matchups that might actually tell us more about this team than the Zags game will.
Right now, we are sitting in the heart of the conference calendar. On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Dons host Washington State at 4:00 PM. That’s a massive one. The Cougars coming into War Memorial Gym is exactly the kind of "new-look WCC" game that fans have been waiting for. A week later, on Saturday, January 24, the team has to fly up to Spokane to face Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center. It’s a 5:00 PM tip-off, and let’s be real, that place is a house of horrors for visitors, but if USF wants to be top-tier, that’s the bridge they have to cross.
The home stretch in February is where things get really spicy.
- February 4 (Wednesday): LMU comes to town. 7:00 PM.
- February 12 (Thursday): The Bill Russell Impact Classic against Oregon State. This one is at 6:00 PM and usually carries a lot of emotional weight for the program.
- February 21 (Saturday): The rivalry game. Santa Clara at USF. 7:00 PM. If the gym isn’t shaking for this one, check your pulse.
Why the Non-Conference Was a Rollercoaster
You can’t talk about the current schedule without looking at the scars they picked up in November and December. They didn't take the easy way out. Gerlufsen took them to Memphis—a tough 76-70 loss—and played high-major talent in the Acrisure Series against Colorado and Nevada.
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Losing to North Alabama at home on December 3rd was a head-scratcher, I’ll admit it. But then they turned around and handled business against teams like Minnesota (77-65 win in Sioux Falls). That tells me this group has a short memory, which you absolutely need when you're playing 18 conference games over 10 weeks.
The Roster: Who’s Actually Making This Happen?
A schedule is just a list of dates if you don't have the horses. This year’s roster is a fascinating mix of "San Francisco local" and "global scout."
Ryan Beasley is still the engine. The junior guard from San Ramon just plays with a different kind of North Bay grit. But the real intrigue? It’s Mookie Cook. Seeing a former McDonald’s All-American and Oregon transfer in a Dons jersey is still a bit wild to me. He’s 6’6”, versatile, and gives them a defensive edge they haven’t had in years.
Then you have the "International Towers."
- David Fuchs (Austria)
- Vukasin Masic (Serbia)
- Guillermo Diaz Graham (Spain)
Masic, specifically, has been a godsend as a graduate transfer. He knows the WCC because he’s been around the block, and he doesn’t rattle. When the game slows down in the final four minutes, he's usually the one making the "pro" play.
Don't Sleep on the Women’s Schedule
It’s a double-header culture on the Hilltop. Molly Goodenbour has her squad playing a schedule that is just as demanding. They just faced a brutal road trip to Gonzaga and Washington State earlier this month.
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If you want to catch the women’s team at home, mark January 22 for the San Diego game and January 29 when the Gonzaga women come to the Sobrato Center. That 6:00 PM tip against the Zags is probably the best chance to see elite women's hoops in the city this winter. Mara Neira and Candy Edokpaigbe are legit—don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
The "New" West Coast Conference Factor
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. The WCC isn't just the "Gonzaga and Saint Mary's Invitational" anymore. Adding the "Pac-2" (OSU and WSU) for basketball has changed the math.
In previous years, USF could maybe afford a "night off" against the bottom of the conference. Not now. When you look at the university of san francisco basketball schedule, you see a gauntlet. Every Wednesday and Saturday is a potential Quad 1 or Quad 2 game for the NET rankings.
The conference tournament is heading back to the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas from March 5-10, 2026. Everything they are doing right now is just positioning for those five days in the desert. If they can stay in the top four of the standings, they get those crucial byes. If not? It’s a long, uphill climb.
How to Actually Go to a Game
If you haven't been to the Sobrato Center lately, it’s tiny but loud. 3,005 capacity. It feels like the fans are literally on top of the court.
- Parking is a nightmare: Just take an Uber or the bus. Trust me.
- The Chase Center Exception: Keep an eye on the schedule because the Dons occasionally move a marquee game to the home of the Warriors. It’s a different vibe—flashier, sure—but there’s something about the old-school gym on campus that just feels more like "college ball."
- Radio: If you're stuck in traffic, KNBR 1050 or 680 is usually the home for the call. Pat Olson is a legend on the mic.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Dons
People think USF is just a "history" school because of the Bill Russell era. Two championships, the 60-game win streak—yeah, we get it. But this 2025-26 team isn't playing in the shadow of 1956. They are playing a modern, fast-paced style that actually fits the current era of basketball.
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They aren't just trying to be "good for a mid-major." They are trying to be a perennial tournament team. When you see them play a schedule that includes trips to Memphis and neutral-site games against Big Ten and Big 12-level talent, it’s a statement of intent.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to follow the rest of the season, here is how you handle it. First, verify the tip-off times on the official USF athletics site, as TV networks (ESPN and CBS Sports Network) sometimes flex games 7-10 days out.
Second, if you’re a student or a local, prioritize the January 31 game against Pacific. It’s a 7:00 PM Saturday start, and it’s usually the "swing" game that determines if the team is heading toward a 20-win season or a late-season collapse.
Finally, keep an eye on the injury report for Ndewedo Newbury. He’s the glue guy. If he’s healthy, the Dons can beat anyone in this conference. If he’s out, the rotation gets thin real fast.
Stay updated on the NET rankings every Monday morning. For a team like San Francisco, the schedule is only half the battle; the other half is hoping the teams they beat (like Minnesota) keep winning to boost their strength of schedule. It’s a complicated dance, but that’s what makes March so much fun.