USF starts its season Monday night at home. The Dons host Radford at War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center at 7 p.m. Pacific. The game is on ESPN+, and there's a radio call on KNBR.
A new-look roster
USF has 14 newcomers this season, which ties UT Martin and Southern for the most in Division I. Only Ndewedo Newbury and Aidan Braccia are back from last year's roster. Newbury, a WCC preseason team pick, missed all of last season with an injury. Eight of the 16 players on the roster are international, including Dylan Bordón of Argentina and Yoav Vitlem of Israel. Ismaila Diagne transferred in from Gonzaga, and Ben Oosterbaan came from St. Thomas.
The Dons went 17-16 last season, their fifth straight winning season, and were picked third in the WCC this year. More on the preseason poll.
Opening-night history
USF has won its last five season openers, every one under Gerlufsen. Last year it beat UC Santa Cruz 98-53. This is only the second game ever between USF and Radford. The Dons won the first one 52-41 at War Memorial Gym on Dec. 19, 2017.
Later this month, USF plays Nevada on Nov. 23 and Oregon State on Nov. 24 at the Acrisure Classic in Palm Desert.