USD Opens Its Conference Season on the Road

University of San Diego’s basketball team takes to the road tonight, opening West Coast Athletic Conference play at Portland University at 7:30.

USD is 9-3 overall and 3-3 in road games. To win the conference championship, Coach Hank Egan said his team will need to play well on the road. Last season, when USD finished third in the WCAC, the Toreros were 3-4 away from home. One of the victories was at Portland.

This is the first of two road games for the Toreros this week. USD plays Gonzaga Saturday at Sponkane, Wash.

This season, despite having just one starter returning from last season’s 4-10 sixth-place team, Portland is 7-5. The Pilots are led by Greg Attaway, a 6-foot 3-inch junior guard averaging 16.1 points per game. Two other starters, Adam Simmons (6-7 forward) and Greg Anthony (6-3 guard), are in double figures.

USD, meanwhile, has been playing its best ball of the season lately. The Toreros have won four straight--all at home--and have allowed under 15 points in the first half in three of those victories. Scott Thompson, 7-foot center, leads the Toreros in scoring with a 17.0 average.

USD should also be helped by the return of Mike Haupt, a 6-5 guard who missed the entire nonconference season with a herniated disc. Egan said Haupt may see some action this weekend.