The upcoming game between San Francisco and Loyola Chicago is more than just another matchup — it's a chance to revive a historic rivalry, rekindling old rivalries at one of the most iconic venues in the Bay Area. As the nonconference schedule winds down, basketball fans are in for an exciting showdown at Chase Center, filled with storylines, competitive spirit, and a quest for bragging rights. But here's where it gets controversial: can the Dons leverage their home-court advantage to upset a Loyola Chicago team eager to prove itself after a rough start to the season? Let's dive into the details.
Game Overview:
- Opponent: Loyola Chicago, currently with a 3-8 record
- Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
- Time: 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time
- Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
- Broadcast: Watch live on ESPN+ (link provided), listen on KNBR 1050 with Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli, live updates via StatBroadcast, and ticketing through Ticketmaster.
The Dons' Recent Performance:
Last Saturday, San Francisco faced a tough challenge on the road at Saint Louis, where they fell 85-75 in a game that demonstrated both resilience and areas needing improvement. Ryan Beasley shined brightly with his fourth 20-point game this season, tallying an impressive 21 points in 34 minutes — a beacon of offensive strength. Tyrone Riley IV also surpassed his personal scoring high with 17 points on efficient shooting, while freshman Legend Smiley added 13 points, showing promise for future games.
- Key to USF's success this year has been rebounding. Their record stands at 6-1 when they out-rebound opponents, but they struggle immensely when they don’t dominate the glass, dropping to 0-4 in those games.
- Offensively, they excel beyond the arc, maintaining the top spot in the West Coast Conference with an average of 9.6 three-pointers per game, ranking 67th nationally.
- At Chase Center, the Dons hold a 3-4 record since the arena opened in 2019, eager to break free from a three-game losing streak at their home court and seeking their first Mission Bay victory since late November, when they defeated Minnesota.
Loyola Chicago’s 2025-26 Outlook:
The Ramblers have faced a rough start, dropping eight of their first 11 games. Their most recent setback was an 84-75 loss to Chicago State. Notably, transfer Xavier Amos from Wisconsin scored 18 points in his Ramblers debut, making an immediate impact from beyond the arc. Last season, Loyola Chicago made a deep run to the NIT semifinals, but this year’s team is reshaped, returning only four players from the previous roster, including junior center Miles Rubin, who averages 12.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game — ranking sixth in the Atlantic 10.
- Turnovers could be a crucial factor. Loyola has the 18th-lowest turnover margin nationally, turning the ball over an average of 4 times more than their opponents per game — a vulnerability that the Dons hope to exploit.
Historical Context & Series Insights:
This upcoming game marks the ninth all-time meeting between USF and Loyola Chicago. Historically, Loyola Chicago leads the series with five victories to San Francisco’s three. Last season, the teams split their meetings — USF won at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, but Loyola Chicago edged out the Dons in a tightly contested second-round NIT game on March 23, 2025, with a final score of 77-76.
- Controversial note: Many wonder if the Dons can finally turn the tide and claim a home victory this season, especially against a team that historically has had their number. Can they capitalize on Loyola Chicago’s turnover struggles or will experience and resilience tilt the scales?
Follow & Support the Team:
Stay connected with the Dons for updates by following on Twitter @USFDonsMBB, Instagram @USFDonsMBB, and Facebook USFDonsMBB.
Gear Up & Sponsor:
Show your team spirit by purchasing official San Francisco Dons merchandise from the USF bookstore here. Interested in supporting the team financially? The Athletics Department thanks Planet Orange for their ongoing sponsorship. For sponsorship inquiries, contact Frank Allocco at fallocco@usfca.edu.
Key Players to Watch:
- Ryan Beasley, Junior Guard, 5’11" – a reliable offensive asset.
- Tyrone Riley IV, Sophomore Guard, 6’6" – steadily improving and capable of a scoring burst.
- Legend Smiley, Freshman Guard, 6’5" – an exciting young talent making positive impacts off the bench.
In Conclusion:
This game isn’t just about adding another win or loss — it’s about the Dons asserting their dominance at home, ending a streak, and refueling confidence heading into West Coast Conference play. Will the familiarity of Loyola Chicago’s style and their recent struggles be enough for San Francisco to secure a pivotal victory? Or will the Ramblers overcome adversity to spoil the homecoming?
What do you think? Will the Dons finally secure their first home win of the season, or is Loyola Chicago poised to deliver an upset? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
