Men’s basketball preview

The Toreros get ready for the start of the season after graduating four senior starters

Chris Spiering / Sports Editor / The USD Vista

The University of San Diego men’s basketball team is excited for the start of the 2019-2020 season. After a solid season last year, finishing with a record of 21-15 (7-9 West Coast Conference), the Toreros are looking to improve on that conference record to have a chance at the WCC title. In last season’s conference tournament, the Toreros were able to make it all the way to the semifinals, but lost to Saint Mary’s College (SMC) 69-62. Leading up to the semifinals, USD defeated the University of Portland 67-47 in the first round, Santa Clara University 62-45 in the second round, then Brigham Young University (BYU) 80-57 in the third round. However, the loss to SMC was not the end of the season for USD. 

After winning three games in the WCC tournament last year, USD received an at-large bid to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) at the end of last season but lost to the University of Memphis, 74-60.  

“Being able to make an NIT run was big for our program,” USD men’s basketball head coach Sam Scholl said. “We had to win some games late to be able to make the NIT, and the first game matters just as much as the second game and even the 33rd game. So every day you just have to be on the process of getting better. I think that is the biggest thing we learned from the NIT round.”

The last NCAA tournament run for the Toreros was back in 2008, when USD defeated the University of Connecticut 70-69 in overtime. They lost in the next round to Western Kentucky University 72-63 to end their season.

The biggest story of the offseason for USD was the four starters they lost due to graduation last spring. Isaiah Pineiro, Isaiah Wright, Olin Carter III, and Tyler Williams all left their mark on the program as great teammates and leaders. They have all continued to play professionally, both internationally, and in the U.S. 

Most notably, Pineiro had the opportunity to play for his home country of Puerto Rico in the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) Tournament this past summer. He was selected as one of 12 players to make the roster. Pineiro was able to get some playing time during the tournament and scored eight points in the game against Iran. Pineiro also signed a contract with the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association (NBA) this past offseason. 

“It’s big because every recruit wants to know if you have anyone in the pros,” Scholl said. “I told him the other day that he is one in 650 guys in the world that are in an NBA training camp and he’s in that ballpark so that does a lot for our program considering his development when he was with us.” 

Given the talent they lost due to graduation, this year’s team will have a majority of underclassmen who are thrilled to have the opportunity to play. 

“I’m excited about this group getting a chance to step up.” Scholl said, “We feel the doubt, these guys are fueled by that and they are excited about that challenge to prove that (doubt) wrong. It’s going to be a fun ride watching them do that.”

Senior forward Alex Floresca expects the new players to fill in nicely. 

“I want to see them compete and play hard to the best of their ability,” Floresca said. “They are well prepared and they are going to surprise some people.” 

The Toreros were picked to finish tied for eighth in the WCC preseason coaches poll.

“There are a lot of people who say we lost a lot,” Sophomore forward Yauhen “Squirrel” Massalski said. “But nobody is looking at the things that we got, so just seeing the satisfaction on their faces after we start playing will be the best thing ever.” 

The Toreros have a tough non-conference schedule this year as they host and travel to play against a few 20-plus win teams. USD will host Fresno State, UC Irvine, and San Diego State this season, all teams that had at least 21 wins last year. The Toreros will travel to the University of Washington, the University of Colorado, and to Stanford University for a chance to play some bigger schools on the road. Mark your calendars for the game against cross-town rival SDSU on November 20, at 8 p.m. in the Jenny Craig Pavilion (JCP). Last season, the Toreros came out on top against the Aztecs 73-61 as USD defeated them on the road for their only matchup of the season. The Toreros scored 47 points in the second half to the Aztecs 22, to help complete the comeback victory. 

After finishing 7-9 in the WCC last season, USD will look to improve on that this year. The star-studded Gonzaga Bulldogs come into town on Jan. 9; the Zags were picked to finish first in the coaches poll for the eighth straight season, followed by Saint Mary’s and BYU. San Diego was picked to finish eighth. USD will host SMC on Feb. 6 and BYU on Feb. 15, both in the JCP. 

Before every season starts, the team practices against each other for weeks until they play another opponent. That being said, the players are glad the season is finally here. 

“I’m ready to play someone else and stop practicing so much,” Floresca said. “It’s been a while and I miss playing.”

A few weeks ago, Scholl hired Jerry Brown to serve as assistant coach. Brown comes from Stanford University as the former Director of Player Development. He also spent time as the video coordinator for the Detroit Pistons in 2017. Brown will replace former assistant coach Chris Gerlufsen, who took a job as an assistant coach at the University of Hawaii earlier this fall.  

“USD is a place with a lot of tradition,” Brown said. “Sam has done a great job of building the program in the right direction and I’m happy to be here and be a part of it.”  

As a former Player Development Director, Brown will use that experience to help coach, and will also help recruit in the offseason. 

“I think just player relations (is what I bring to the table),” Brown said. “You know, just somebody who has been in their shoes, who can kind of relate to them and to give them some type of inspiration to grow as young men and athletes.”  

Scholl had some high praise for his new assistant coach.

“Jerry is awesome,” Scholl said. “I coached Jerry for a year when I was at Santa Clara, and I knew then that he was going to be a great coach. He just has all the talents and all the tools, he is outstanding with people and is going to bring a great dynamic to our coaching staff.” 

The season starts for the Toreros on “Sixth man night” on Nov. 1 as the team will host a fundraiser for the program. There will be a Q&A with head coach Sam Scholl and ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla who covers college basketball. The special evening starts at 5:30 p.m. with a reception at the Garden of the Sea, will be an opportunity for Torero basketball supporters to meet the 2019-2020 team. Ticket prices range from $75-$175. Attendees will have an opportunity to take part in a live and silent auction for VIP access, autographed memorabilia, and tickets to the home game against SDSU on Nov. 20th.   

The Toreros are ready to set the tone early against the non-conference opponents. The first game of the season is against the UC Irvine Anteaters on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in the JCP.