Dons Face Undefeated Colorado in Acrisure Holiday Classic
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The University of San Francisco men’s basketball team (5-1) will face a significant test this Thursday, November 27, 2025, as they take on the undefeated Colorado Buffaloes (5-0) in the opening round of the Acrisure Holiday Classic in Palm Desert, California. The game, scheduled for 11:00 am PT, will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network, with Justin Kutcher and BJ Taylor calling the action. Fans can also tune in locally on KNBR 1050, with Pat Olson providing play-by-play.
Dons Riding High on Four-Game Win Streak
San Francisco enters the tournament with momentum on their side, having extended their winning streak to four games with a 77-65 victory over Minnesota on Saturday, November 22nd, at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Despite a brief absence due to a previous game, Ryan Beasley returned to the lineup with a dominant performance, leading all scorers with 24 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-for-4 at the free-throw line. Beasley also contributed four assists and two rebounds in a team-high 37 minutes of play.
“Beasley really stepped up when we needed him,” a team spokesperson noted. Mookie Cook also had a standout game, setting new career highs with four made three-pointers and four assists. Notably, the Dons’ defensive effort limited Minnesota to a season-low 46 field goal attempts.
Tournament Bracket and Future Schedule
The winner of the San Francisco-Colorado matchup will advance to face the winner of Nevada and Washington on Friday, November 28th, at 1:30 pm PT on TruTV. The consolation games will also be played on Friday, with the losers of the initial contests facing off at 11:00 am PT on TruTV. This contest against Colorado marks the second of four neutral-site games for USF this season. Looking ahead, the Dons are scheduled to travel to Tupelo, Mississippi, to challenge Mississippi State at Cadence Bank Arena on December 7th.
Bench Strength a Key for Both Teams
Both San Francisco and Colorado boast strong contributions from their benches, a factor that could prove crucial in the tournament. The Dons currently rank 15th nationally in bench points per game (39.17), while the Buffaloes are close behind at 24th (38.00). USF’s success from long range is also noteworthy, as they are currently 17th in the nation in three-point percentage (41.18/63-153).
Scouting the Buffaloes: A High-Powered Offense
Colorado (5-0) has enjoyed a flawless start to the season, entering the Acrisure Holiday Classic with an unblemished record. Their most recent victory came against UC Davis on Friday, November 21st, a decisive 95-79 win in Boulder, Colorado, where five Buffaloes scored in double figures: Bangot Dak (18), Felix Kossaras (17), Sebastian Rancik (15), Barrington Hargress (13), and Alon Michaeli (10).
As of Wednesday night, Colorado is recognized as one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking in the top ten nationally in free throws made per game (24.6/6th), free throw attempts per game (32.4/6th), field goal percentage (53.4/8th), and three-point percentage (42.2/10th). They also rank within the top 25 in scoring offense (94.4 points per game/13th), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.90/18th), and effective field goal percentage (59.4/21st). Individually, Rancik (14.8), Isaiah Johnson (14.8), Michaeli (12.8), Hargress (12.2), and Dak (12.0) are all averaging double figures in scoring.
This matchup against San Francisco will be Colorado’s first contest away from home, as all five of their previous games were played at the CU Events Center. Their schedule includes only one true road game this season – December 6th at Colorado State – and a neutral-site matchup against Stanford on December 20th as part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Series Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
Series History Favors the Dons
Thursday’s game will be the sixth all-time meeting between San Francisco and Colorado, with the Dons holding a 3-2 advantage in the series. While Colorado secured a 72-55 victory in their most recent encounter on December 3, 2014, in Boulder, USF holds a 1-0 record against the Buffaloes on neutral ground. A historic victory occurred in the 1955 NCAA Tournament National Semifinal, where San Francisco defeated No. 15 Colorado 62-50 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. Bill Russell led the Dons in that game with 24 points and 9 rebounds, propelling them to the NCAA National Championship Game, which they ultimately won against La Salle.
For the latest updates and information on the University of San Francisco men’s basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on Twitter, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram, and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook. Fans can also purchase official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore. The University of San Francisco Athletics Department acknowledges and thanks Planet Orange for their continued support. Interested parties can contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at [email protected] or (415) 422-4561 to explore sponsorship opportunities.
