Numbers Not in USD’s Favor Tonight

The University of San Diego men’s basketball team plays at Nevada Reno tonight, and the players will not be comforted by the fact that the home team in the series has won the past five meetings.

The Toreros lost to UNR, 81-80, in overtime in 1986-87 after winning the previous 2 years. UNR leads the series, 5-2.

Some more bad news for Coach Hank Egan: UNR has five players averaging in double figures and a sixth averaging 8.5 points. Senior guard Darryl Lewis has per-game averages of 21.5 points, 4.8 assists and 2.3 steals. He is joined in the backcourt by freshman Kevin Soares, who is averaging 8.5 points and only 1.6 turnovers.

Forward Jon Baer leads the team in rebounding with 7.5 a game and scores 12.3 points. Center Gabriel Parizzia averages 13.8 points and 6.6 rebounds. Forward Matt Williams (5.4 points per game) is the other starter.

For reserves, second-year Coach Len Stevens turns to Kevin Franklin (16.3 points per game) and Chris Rupp (12.4). Rupp leads the nation in field goal percentage (74%), making 40 of 54 shots.

UNR (5-3) is averaging 93 points per game and riding a 2-game winning streak following Tuesday’s 97-85 victory over Southern Methodist. UNR is 4-0 at home; the 97 points against SMU is its lowest at Lawlor Pavilion.

USD (4-3) began this 2-game trip with an 80-65 loss at Montana Tuesday. Freshman Gylan Dottin scored a career-high 22 points in the game.