USD (6-9, 1-2) vs. Santa Clara(12-4, 3-0)

When: 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Leavey Center, Santa Clara

On the air: ESPN+

Last time out: Playing without leading scorer Ty-Laur Johnson (concussion) and prized freshman forward D’Arrae Goodwin (back), the Toreros lost at the University of San Francisco 74-64 Friday night. Guards Adrian McIntyre (16 points, 10 rebounds, two steals), Juanse Gorosito (15 points) and Dominique Ford (13 points) led the Toreros in Johnson’s absence. But USD went just 4-for-22 from 3-point range and were out-rebounded 42-25.

Series history: Santa Clara leads the all-time series, 56-39.

Toreros update: Johnson rejoined the Toreros Saturday for practice but is listed as questionable for Sunday. Goodwin is also listed as questionable. Both were injured late in Tuesday’s 99-93 loss to seventh-ranked Gonzaga at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Johnson finished the game with 21 points, then entered the concussion protocol Wednesday. Goodwin had 15 points in 11 minutes against Gonzaga. USD’s pressure defense is a plus-2.0 in average turnovers, but the Toreros are a minus-6.9 in rebounding. USD’s four leading scorers continue to be their guards – Johnson (14.2 points per game), Gorosito (11.5), Toneari Lane (10.3) and McIntyre (9.5).

Broncos update: Santa Clara has a 70 NET rating and is the third Quad 1 team the Toreros have played over the last four games. The Broncos have won three straight West Coast Conference games since losing their nonconference finale by two points to Loyola of Chicago. Santa Clara opened WCC play by defeating Oregon State and Portland on the road before beating Pepperdine 82-63 at home Friday night. The Broncos are a plus-5.1 in rebound differential, a problem for the Toreros. Guard Christian Hammond leads Santa Clara with 16.7 points per game and is shooting 49.4% from the floor and 41.8% from 3-point range. Forward Elijah Mahi is averaging 15.4 points a game. The Broncos’ front line is topped by 7-foot-1 Bukky Oboye and three 6-foot-9 regulars, giving Santa Clara a decided size advantage over USD.

Next up: USD will host Pepperdine at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

— BILL CENTER

 

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