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Now 19-6 (9-3), the NCAA Tournament is a realistic goal for San Francisco in year three under Chris Gerlufsen

Coming into the season, we knew the West Coast Conference (WCC) was taking a step up in competition level, adding Washington State and Oregon State to provide quality depth and more important games at the top of the league. The added teams and opportunities have given the conference a realistic chance to send three teams to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021-22.

The three teams may just be the same as they were that year, with Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga well on their way to the NCAA Tournament, and San Francisco pushing for its best season under third-year head coach Chris Gerlufsen. The Dons put together a decent non-conference schedule, although many of their opponents haven’t had the seasons they were projected to have. Regardless, the Dons picked up a quality win over Boise State and played tight games with Memphis and Bradley away from War Memorial Gym.

At War Memorial, the Dons are now 15-0, defeating St. Mary’s last night 65-64, defeating the Gaels for the first time since January 3, 2019. Fifth-year senior Marcus Williams led the way in the win, scoring 16 points on a 7-16 shooting performance. Sophomore Ryan Beasley continued to bring a spark off the bench, scoring 12 points and marking his third straight game in double-figures.

As it always will be against the Gaels, the Dons won an absolute grinder of a game, fueled by a 16-2 late in the second half to take a lead with just over six minutes to play. Augustas Marciulionis, the reigning WCC Player of the Year, was held to 8-21 shooting, and his freshman teammate Mikey Lewis, fresh off a 16-point performance against Gonzaga, was scoreless off the bench, going 0-4 from the floor. The late offensive spark put the Dons in front, but the defense is what held firm for nearly all 40 minutes.

The Dons only play six guys heavy minutes most nights, led by the high-powered backcourt of Malik Thomas (19.4 ppg, 39.5% 3P) and Williams (14.2 ppg, 4.3 apg, 40.3% 3P). With Thomas and Williams, the Dons have a fourth-year and fifth-year in the backcourt, each of whom have high-major experience earlier on in their careers. Both shoot the three quite often and quite effectively, making it a tough guard for anyone, even St. Mary’s dominant defense as proved last night.

Tyrone Riley IV (9.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg) was the stud of the incoming freshmen class for Gerlufsen, providing an impact as soon as opening night, when he went for 26 in a win over Cal Poly. While that hasn’t been Riley’s scoring output on an average night, he’s been in double figures four times in conference play and been an outstanding defender on the wing for the Dons.

Inside, the focal point has been Carlton Linguard Jr. (8.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg), a first-year transfer in from UTSA, who has had his fair share of highlight reel dunks and blocks, including a poster jam late last night in the win over St. Mary’s. With a solid core mixing experience, scoring, and athleticism, the Dons have all the tools to make a late push and get on the right side of the bubble conversation.

Currently second in the WCC, a regular season split with Gonzaga in the teams’ two matchups would put the Dons in the driver seat for a semifinal berth as the two seed in the WCC Tournament. With six games to go in the regular season, the Dons play the Zags twice and have a third Quad 1 opportunity when they meet Oregon State in Corvalis on February 26.

It may be a bit of an uphill climb to stake their claim on a bubble spot, but San Francisco has all the tools necessary to finish the regular season off strong and make its case for the NCAA Tournament, with or without a WCC Tournament crown.

Other Things to Note:

• Bruce Thornton goes for 31 and the game winner as Ohio State takes down #18 Maryland 73-70
• JJ White’s buzzer-beater improves Omaha to 9-1 in Summit League play with 80-77 win over North Dakota
• Gonzaga handles Loyola Marymount 73-53 to improve to 8-3 in WCC play
• Atlantic 10 heavyweights collide as VCU visits Dayton (7:00 ET, ESPN2)
• #12 St. John’s, #19 UConn meet in massive Big East battle (8:00 ET, FOX)