The Dons are coached by Phil Woolpert and had a season that had the makings of one for the ages!   With an experienced squad led by Russell and his sidekick KC Jones the Dons were a preseason Top Ten team and for most of the season looked destined to battle the mighty Bruins for supremacy of not only the West Coast but the entire country!  San Francisco dominated the West Coast conference and stayed in the Top Ten in the polls for most of the year.   The NCAA still only gave this team a 4 seed and they proved they were more than worthy. The Dons had a great run through the Big Dance squarely on the shoulders of Big Bill who per usual refused to lose.  They gave juggernaut and UCLA all they could handle in one of the greatest games in tournament history.  The Dons came up short of their mission to bring back a national title but not before every person in the country watching understood that the game of basketball is not all about how many points you can score.  It is about teamwork, commitment and defense.  But more so than that it is always about perseverance and being able to come back and keep fighting when everybody counts you out! 

With the highest of expectations the Dons started last season on a mission to show the country that the hype from the City of the Golden Gate was indeed the real thing.  Bill Russell played power forward for the Dons last season but really he was the designated MAN!  He is the best defensive player in the country and he matched up with anybody willing to try and score on ‘his’ end of the court.  He will not only shut down his man but if anyone else wandering near the basket will get a large dose of that athletic six foot nine inch man before they know what hit them. His incredible ability to not just block a shot but to keep it in play is the catalyst for the San Francisco offense.  He also led the country in rebounding with his incredible ability to go above almost anyone to grab boards.  This Louisiana born and bred kid is a true man among men down low.  Just watching him play you can see the intensity and desire to show the world he not only belongs with the best but will do whatever it takes to stay there.  His family struggled in racist Louisiana and thus moved to Oakland when he was 8 so his Dad could make a living.  When his Mom died unexpectedly when he was 12 Russell quickly saw the work hard as a steelworker that his Dad did every day to support his family.  He respected that and wanted to make a difference and though he was not good at basketball at first a growth spurt allowed him to become a true stud in High School.  Blessed with large hands and superior jumping ability Russell was a student of the game and led McClymonds High to back to back state titles.  Russell studied magazines and played defense in his own unique way.  Russell did not stay flat footed and in front of his opponents but instead studied their moves and was ready to pounce for one of his illustrious blocked shots at any moment.  This puma style of play set him apart and he quickly became one of the most accomplished shot blockers ever though outside of Cali nobody knew who he was.  When he chose to go San Francisco he was still an unknown quantity and until this year still has not got the recognition this true game changer has deserved.  Sure he does not score like Chamberlain or Alcindor but he is every bit as important to the success of his team and we are not talking just his defensive presence. Russell’s rebounding and superior outlet passing are also huge parts of the Don offense.  A first team All-American who averaged only 14 points a game, Russell does have offensive skills. He can finish around the hoop ( his dunking ability is on par with anyone’s) though he would rather not waste energy here and usually just shovels up easy ones) and has a solid left handed hook that goes over just about anyone.  He is also a great passer and his ability to screen from the high post is on par with anyone not named Unseld.   But is his incredible leadership, defense and rebounding that sets him apart from the crowds.  Oh and a desire to win that is impossible to describe.  He doesn’t want to win, he has to win.  Russell might not be the greatest basketball player that ever lived but he is for damn sure the greatest winner! 

Junior seven-footer Bill Cartwright is  the center for the Dons.  At least in title and height!  This other ‘Big Bill’ is in all reality the power forward because that is the work that he does.  A solid low post player who loves to post up and throw up shots that rattle around for minutes before going in, Cartwright was the main low post option for the Dons.  This kid was not stuck in Lodi though he was born there as he made a heck of an impact in High School at Elk Grove High School following his mentor (and now sidekick) in leading his team to a state title the year after Russell left.  Cartwright was by far the biggest recruit this program ever had and led a strong group of juniors in one of the greatest classes to ever come to USF.  He immediately made an impact and though he has been overshadowed at times by the marvelous Mr. Russell Cartwright has become a primary part of the Dons success with his ability to score and defend. Cartwright can also board but on this team with Russell around he did not put up huge rebounding numbers and focused more on guarding the rim while his sidekick roamed the lane looking for predators. With lethal elbows underneath, there is no more imposing pair in the country for a player trying to take over the key than this combo form San Francisco.  The fact that they go after each other every day in practice makes them all that much better but the best part is the way these two studs fit together.  Russell could have been a low post stud (they did after all widen the lane for him) but he knew that Cartwright was better suited on the blocks so the most unselfish player in the Universe became a high post God.  Mr. Bill had accepted the fact that he might not ever be the man but has taken his role with plenty of enthusiasm and seems to enjoy the grind of the blocks.  He probably could have scored more and when needed he does but Cartwright understands what it takes to win and will do his job.  Alcindor and Walton may get all of the hype down in LA but everyone North of Fresno knows that these two are the real dynamic duo.  Like Walton Cartwright did moss some time with a foot that seems like it does not want to play but the big man fought his way through the pain to play in 31 games and when he was there to answer the bell every time the Dons needed him! The Dons will definitely need him next year as for the first time ever this will be his team.  He has got some big shoes to fill with his gimpy feet and the weight of the City by the Bay on his shoulders but this Bill is up to the challenge! 

Senior point guard K. C. Jones is made of the same cloth as Russell.  That is he is a winner.  This San Francisco kid has had his ups and downs for the Dons especially with an appendicitis attack that cost him most of his sophomore season. He was back last year and ready to probe he was more than just a great on-ball defender.  Hee has been that kind of player ever since he stepped foot on campus after a stellar career in prep ball. KC was part of that first group of players (and coach Pete Newell who now coaches at rival Cal) who predated Russell who really started the ball rolling down the court which has now become this juggernaut of a basketball program.  Coming here after being the leading scorer in San Francisco in High school who could shoot from anywhere the five ten Jones had a growth spurt of three inches and all of a sudden his shot went.  He was already coming to the Dons and decided if he couldn’t shoot he was still going to find a way to help this team win.  This attitude changed dramatically in his second season especially after seeing his new teammate Russell in action. He quickly learned defense would be the key to this team’s success and with ‘Russ’ guarding the key it enabled Jones to guard even harder and take more chances on the perimeter.  A tenacious defender he plays on the court like he is playing football (he actually tried out for a pro team) and loves to get physical with his opponents.  This stocky but enormously strong athlete loves to guard guys five inches bigger (or more), Jones can match up with anybody.  One night he was shutting down John Stockton of Gonzaga, the next he holds Bud Ogden to single digits.  Jones also knows how to quarterback a team.  He does get the ball where it needs to be.  And with the benefit of the two Bills grabbing boards and kicking it to him he never stops pushing the ball up the court.  Speed has always been a major part of Jones game on the court.  He seems to be in non-stop motion around the court never letting up on and as Coach Woolpert says ‘always hustling.’  He may not be as spectacular as Stockton but he is every bit as effective running this team.  Jones loves the game and plays with the kind of passion and intelligence that very few have ever demonstrated.  He is not the shoe in to play at the next level that his friend Mr. Russell is and has already joined the military but I know one thing he would be a huge addition to any team that is smart enough to take a chance on this leader of men.  Sure he like everyone else in San Francisco played a supporting role to Russell but KC was the only one Bill ever really considered a peer as he knew KC played the game with every bit of desire and passion that he did.  Sure Jones might not have become the name he has if he would have not played second fiddle to Russell but then again will we ever know how much Bill relied on Jones to make this team go.  Yes, this was Russell’s team but KC was and will always be the engineer! 

The Dons had it as good as it gets as those three positions and could arguably match up with any team in the country there.  The other two positions are where all of the drama came from.  At shooting guard Woolpert had two solid players rotating in and out.  Junior Phil Smith and sophomore Quentin Dailey give the Dons real talent and depth.  Smith is a complete and unselfish, almost to a fault.  Dailey is a great offensive weapon but just the opposite.  This Baltimore product walked onto the campus and he instantly became the primary offensive weapon for this team.  He has also brought some negative attention not only onto himself but onto this University.  Dailey can score with anybody but does not always think about his actions.  Still the Dons need his offense as the rest of the team were obviously more defensive minded.  Smith is another San Francisco product who was not even recruited but he had a plan.  He graduated early from high school and was working as a janitor on campus when Assistant (and recently graduated player) Bob Gaillard played against him in a pickup game and referred him to Woolpert.  Good move!  Smith worked his way into a role off the bench for the Dons and was the instant offense off the bench with his combo inside-outside game.  At six four he has the size and strength to post up smaller players but still has the perimeter game including a solid jump shot. He has been a swing guard at times and has solid ball handling skills including being a gifted passer. He is also a terrific defensive player who fits right in with Jones and the constant perimeter pressure.  This soft spoken and sometimes shy Smith (the total opposite from the outspoken and loud Dailey) was ready to do whatever it takes to help this team win. Smith is made of the same cloth as his teammates and that cloth is called Winner! 

Small forward was not as much drama but there were still issues. Seniors Joe Ellis and Mike Farmer and even Junior big guard Winfred Boynes shared the position.  They all had skill sets that Woolpert used effectively according to the matchups and needs.  Farmer is a tough nosed defender who loves to play physical. He was the primary starter who fit in nicely next to Russell and Cartwright.  Ellis is a better offensive player who is much thinner at 175 to Farmer’s husky 210 than his compatriot though they are similar in height at six foot six for Ellis and six seven for Farmer.  Another San Francisco kid, Ellis can run the court well but his specialty is a terrific corner shot.  He was more of a secondary option for most of this season and always gave Woolpert a nice offensive lift off the bench.  He turned it up to another level  down the stretch and averaged double digits during the tournament run.  If I were a betting man, I would think Ellis has the lead in who open as the starter this season.  Boynes is really a big guard at six five with a silky smooth style that the fans love. A huge prospect out of Oklahoma City where he was a high school legend he was stuck behind Dailey and Smith at the two.  He switched to the three for some playing time and did okay but his attitude kind of hurt the team.  Boynes is not exactly a defensive specialist which of course did not fit well with Woolpert.  As a matter of fact, Woolpert was never really satisfied with this trio and played a three guard set often with Smith and Dailey. These guys had to step up in the tourney and they did!  Farmer still started and played his rugged defense but Ellis increased his minutes and productivity immensely.  Boynes really stepped up playing both positons and he had some huge minutes at the Big Dance.  This kid can really play and needs more PT and it looks like he will get it with both of his competitors graduating though of course it will probably be at the three instead of the two with Smith still coming back for more. 

Woolpert has a solid and experienced bench from which to choose form.  Senior big men Don Lofgran, Erwin Mueller, Pete Cross, Ollie Johnson as well as Juniors Kevin Restani, James Hardy, and Eric Fernsten and sophomore seven footer Wallace Bryant gave Woolpert as many space eating options as any team in the country.  Oh, and a lot of fouls as well from this group that were affectionately called the ‘Bruise Brothers’ dubbed by Restani himself but oh so popular with the working  class ethic of the fans of this town.  This group of monsters really produced and really fit the Don mold of basketball.  And man did all of this size and talent make practices interesting especially for Russell and Cartwright who got the benefit at being pushed both literally and figuratively to be the best they could be.  Lofgran was once a star here but was too shot at six four to be a post any longer and way too slow for a wing and took a spot on the pine as the season progressed.  Mueller and Johnson are potential stars under the basket but had a hard time getting on the court on this incredibly deep front line.  The same could be said of REstani who did play a key role coming off the bench and not just throwing around his beef but being able to hit jumpers.  He has a complete game and will be in direct battle with his compadres he dubbed for the starting spot next to Cartwright at the four.  Hardy is an incredible talent stuck at the same position as the Man and battling for leftover minutes with REstani.  When he did get on the court he became a huge crowd favorite with some ridiculous throw downs that made a huge splash on Sportscenter!  He is the favorite to start next to the other Big Bill as this six eight stud can flat do it all and is about as unique a personality as this program has ever had.  Still, REstani brings that outside touch and it would be no surprise if the split the role and don’t forget Fernsten who is one of the all-time great space eaters.  He does not bring much offense but he will leave a knot or two on your back if you get caught down in the trenches with him.  Bryant is huge and played most of the season on the JV but is talented and could seriously push Cartwright for minutes.  Woolpert was not as lucky to have as much depth in the backcourt.   The senior class of Gene Brown, Fred Scolari and Hal Parry were pushed aside early with the play of Dailey and Smith and ended the season pretty deep on the bench. Perry was once Jones sidekick in crime and formed one of the best defensive combos in the country but Woolpert knew he needed more offense back here and Parry faded to the bench.  Brown is a terrific athlete and did get some time as a tweener guard but got caught behind the logjam at the two and is not a good enough ball handler for the point.  ‘Fat’ Freddie was at one point was a huge offensive weapon for the Dons but faded to the bench as he was just not in good enough shape for the defense Woolpert wanted.    

The San Francisco Dons had the best year of any mid-major in the country but when all the dust settled they had finished one game from a trip to the final four.  The funny thing is this team has some of the most consistent and reliable players in the country.  Led by senior superstar Bill Russell and his sidekick in crime K.C. Jones the Dons had the best defense in the country.  They were the highest ranked mid major for most of the season and dominated the tougher than you think West Coast Conference.  Could you think of two better guys to lead your team then Russell and Jones?  Throw into that the maturing of Russell’s main man down low ‘Big’ Bill Cartwright and the Dons had as good of a trio as any team in the country.  The role players stepped up big time most importantly the incredible play of Junior Phil Smith was like a Knight riding in to save the day for the Dons.  The Dons came together for a great run and gave the best team in the country all they could handle before succumbing in a classic regional final.  Coach Phil Woolpert deserves a lot of credit for keeping this team together and focused.  The Dons may not continue to play at this level without Russell and Jones but boy did they have fun shaking up the world a little bit this year.  They proved once and for all that you don’t have to play in a BCS conference to be a great team.