The set-up: The 11-3 San Francisco Dons are off to a fast start (just 15-15 last year), despite losing four starters from last year's team. The Dons resume WCC play with this game tonight at the Santa Clara Broncos, who have opened just 6-8, despite returning all five starters from last year's 11-20 team (maybe that's the problem?).

San Francisco: The Dons sem to be making a case for cracking the top half of the West Coast Conference with their strong 11-3 start. They kicked off the conference schedule the right way with an 80-74 victory against visiting San Diego, althoiugh they didn't cover as an 11-point favorite. San Francisco opened a 23-point lead at the half but had to hold on for the six point win. Guards Boyce (15.5 & 4.6) and Mineland (12.0) are joined in double figures by 6-5 SF Foster (11.5), while a pair of sophomores, the 6-9 McCarthy (7.4 & 5.50 and the 6-7 Renfro (6.2 & 4.4) add some size in the frontcourt.

Santa Clara: The Broncos had high hopes of making some noise in the West Coast with all five starters back from last year but they played poorly at BYU in an 89-59 loss in the team's WCC opener (had gone 6-7 in non-conference play). Santa Clara will have to tighten its defense, after BYU connected on 53.3% of its shots.Brownridge (18.4-3.6-3.1) and pG hauser (10.9 & 5.5 APG) are an excellent guard duo plus the 6-8 Kratch (10.3 & 6.2) is the team's top frontcourt player.cell

The pick: The Dons have played much better so far but under new head coach Herb Sendek (of NC State & Arizona St. fame), the Broncos may just be the better team. Santa Clara is an 8* play.