San Diego (0-0, 0-0 WCC)  •  UCLA (3-1, 1-0 Pac12)
Wednesday, December 9  •  6 p.m.
Pauley Pavilion (13,800)  •  Los Angeles, Calif.
TV  •  Pac12 Network  |  Live Audio •  USDToreros.com  |  Live Stats  •  USDToreros.com
Social •  Twitter.com/USDMBB •  Instagram.com/USDMBB

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SAN DIEGO – San Diego will open up its 2020-21 season on the road Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT against UCLA (RV) at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, Calif.
 
The contest marks the start of the 20-21 campaign after the Toreros' season was delayed with a 14-day pause to all activities due to a positive COVID-19 test within the program.
 
The game will be broadcast live via the Pac12 Network and live audio will be available on USDToreros.com with Jack Cronin on the call. Live statistics will be available via USDToreros.com.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST UCLA
- Wednesday will be the sixth all-time meeting between USD and UCLA. The Toreros trail in the series, 1-4.
 
- USD's lone win in the all-time series came in 2002-03 with a 86-81 overtime victory at No. 14 UCLA. The team first met in 89-90 and the most recent matchup between the two programs was a 68-88 loss for the Toreros at the No. 16 Bruins in 2016-17.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
- The Toreros will face off with Cal State Fullerton in their home opener on Dec. 11 at 6 pm in the JCP. The game is a rescheduled contest, originally set to take place during USD's 14-day pause in activities earlier this season. San Diego will remain at home for a Monday matchup with Nevada on Dec. 14 at 6 pm.
 
RETURNERS
- The Toreros return two starters from their 2019-20 squad, including redshirt sophomore Marion Humphrey and redshirt junior Joey Calcaterra who were second (963) and third (902) in total minutes respectively last season. Calcaterra is USD's lead returner, averaging 11.3 PPG and 36.2% from three-point range while Humphrey led the team with 2.5 APG.
 
- Senior Yauhen Massalski battled injuries throughout last season, but will be the team's lead returner in both rebounds (7.0 RPG) and blocks (1.5 BPG).
 
- USD returns 54% of its scoring, 50% of its rebounding and 56% of its assists from 19-20.
 
NEW FACES
- The Toreros added nine newcomers for the 2020-21 season, including three freshmen, five transfers and one redshirt.
 
- The Toreros added a wealth of experience with transfers Yavuz Gultekin (Texas A&M), Chris Herren, Jr. (Boston College), Frankie Hughes (Duquesne), Josh Parrish (Rice) and Ben Pyle (Western Illinois). Vladimir Pinchuk (New Mexico) is eligible after sitting out the 2019-20 campaign due to NCAA transfer rules.
 
- The freshmen include Jason Gallant (La Canada, Calif.), Scotty Prunty (San Diego, Calif.) and Jack Vaske (New Canaan, Conn.).
 
GAME EXPERIENCE DOUBLED
- The Toreros essentially doubled their game experience with the addition of five transfers and one redshirt this offseason.  The 2020-21 roster will include nine upperclassmen (3 seniors/grad transfers: Massalski, Parrish, Hughes) after having four all last year.
 
- 2019-20 roster: 388 career games of experience entering the year. Seven players on the roster had DI experience (4 in Torero uniform). 12 years of combined college playing experience.
 
- 2020-21 roster: 659 career games of experience entering the year. Every player except walk-ons have DI experience (6 in a Torero uniform). 24 years of combined college playing experience.
 
SEASON START DELAYED
- On Nov. 20, the men's basketball program announced a pause in all team activities for a period of 14 days as a result of a positive COVID-19 test result within the program. This came five days before the Toreros were set to begin the 2020-21 season and set the new season opener at UCLA on Dec. 9. Previously schedule games with UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton may be rescheduled during the month of December.
 
MASSALSKI CLIMBING THE TOREROS RECORD BOOK
- Yauhen Massalski currently ranks fifth in program history with 122 career blocks and is seven shy of fourth place. He is only the fifth Torero to have 100+ blocks in a career, and he has 40+ blocks in each of his first two seasons at USD.
 
- The Belarus native had a block in 15 of his 20 games in 2019-20. He has at least one block in 61 career games, which are the third-most since 2010-11 by a Torero (source: Sports Reference). Jito Kok (2013-16) had 111 career games with at least one block to lead the program.
 
All-Time Career Blocks
USD History
Jito Kok (2012-15) - 193
Scott Thompson (1983-87) - 183
Gyno Pomare (2005-09) - 158
Dondi Bell (1987-1991) - 129
Yauhen Massalski (2017-Current) – 122