NCAA Basketball: Ranking the final 8 unbeaten teams of 2021-22 season

6. San Francisco Dons (10-0)

As the only 10-0 team in the country, the Dons get to have a little history of their own right now. It’s the best start for the program in decades and has come at a great time, as the WCC currently looks like a four-bid league, with Gonzaga, BYU, and Saint Mary’s all looking impressive as well.

San Francisco was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the extra year of eligibility, allowing guards  Khalil Shabazz and Jamaree Bouyea to come back for this season. And it’s paid off in a big way, as Bouyea is currently averaging a team-leading 20.0 ppg and 57 points combined in the past two wins over UNLV and Fresno State.

It was expected that the guards would play well but the upgrades to the supporting cast have taken the Dons to the next level. 6’10 center Yauhen Massalski has given this team what they lacked last year; a true frontcourt presence, averaging 13.7 ppg and 7.2 rpg in 10 games. Another impact transfer has been former Columbia guard Gabe Stefanini, the fourth double-digit scorer on the team at 10.3 ppg.

San Francisco and head coach Todd Golden’s strategy has been to shoot a lot of three-pointers while preventing the opponent to do the same. This time, they have the roster built to do that at a high level, and based on its remaining non-conference schedule, could be unbeaten by the time WCC play starts.