The Santa Clara men’s basketball team is eagerly preparing for a highly anticipated showdown as they ready themselves to host their long-standing rivals, the San Francisco Dons, for Senior Night. The much-anticipated game is set for a 4:00 p.m. PT tip-off on Saturday, marking the final home game of the 2023-24 season for the Broncos. Viewers can catch all the action live on ESPN+.
The upcoming game holds special significance as Santa Clara will be honouring the senior trio of Jalen Benjamin, Francisco Caffaro, and Carlos Marshall, Jr. in a pregame Senior Day ceremony. This will undoubtedly be a poignant moment for the players, their families, and the entire Santa Clara community.
With a season record of 18-12 overall and 9-6 in the WCC standings, the Broncos have secured fourth place in the conference. Notably, this accomplishment marks the first time in over a decade that the team has finished fourth or better in three consecutive seasons. As a result, they will benefit from a double bye in the WCC Championship Tournament and are scheduled to play their first game on Saturday, March 9th in Las Vegas.
Eager to conclude the regular season on a high note, the Broncos are determined to regain momentum after encountering back-to-back road losses against Gonzaga and Portland. In a particularly intense match against the Pilots, Santa Clara staged an impressive comeback, erasing a 17-point second-half deficit to force the game into overtime. Despite falling short with a final score of 80-75, Adama-Alpha Bal’s outstanding performance stood out as he contributed a team-high 22 points, including a career-best six three-pointers.
As for their adversaries, the San Francisco Dons boast an impressive season record of 22-8 and currently occupy third place in the WCC standings with an 11-4 record. Under the leadership of Chris Gerlufsen in his second season, the Dons have been averaging 78.7 points per game, ranking second in the WCC. Their outstanding 49.4 shooting percentage places them at 12th nationally, illustrating their prowess on the court.
Notably, San Francisco’s Jonathan Mogbo has also made waves in the basketball scene, clinching third place nationally in field goal percentage, seventh in total rebounds, 14th in rebounds per game, and securing 15 double-doubles. With an impressive scoring average of 14.8 points per game, Mogbo has emerged as a key player for the Dons.
In the upcoming game, Santa Clara will be aiming to break a two-game losing streak against the Dons, with the goal of reclaiming victory after suffering two consecutive narrow losses in previous encounters.
For more detailed information and insights into the upcoming game, interested parties are encouraged to refer to the comprehensive game notes provided for both teams.
As the Broncos prepare for Senior Night, the anticipation and excitement continue to mount, promising an electrifying match-up between Santa Clara and San Francisco. Stay tuned for what is sure to be a thrilling and unforgettable evening of basketball.