OREM, Utah — After finishing off a historic season, including achieving a remarkable 15-1 record during the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play and making their first-ever appearance at the WAC Tournament championship game, the Utah Valley Wolverines are set for their next challenge as they prepare for the 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The Wolverines, sporting an overall record of 25-8, will travel to San Francisco to face the Dons, who come with their own impressive record of 24-9, on March 19, 2025, at 8 p.m. PT (9 p.m. MT). Fans can catch the action live on ESPNU.
This marks Utah Valley’s third time competing in the NIT. Their previous appearances include falling to Cal during the first round back in 2014. Still, the Wolverines had significant success on their last tour of the NIT, making it to the Final Four during the 2023 tournament. They secured victories against formidable opponents such as New Mexico, Colorado, and Cincinnati, only to narrowly lose to UAB, the eventual champions, during overtime.
The Wolverines and the Dons have faced each other three times throughout history, with Utah Valley holding a 1-2 record against San Francisco. Their only victory came back in 2007, when the Wolverines defeated the Dons 73-61 at home. The last meeting occurred back in 2018 during the second round of the College Basketball Invitational, where Utah Valley just fell short, ending the matchup at 78-73. Perhaps adding to the challenge, Utah Valley is yet to secure a victory on the road against San Francisco, with two losses at their venue.
San Francisco, under the direction of third-year head coach Chris Gerlufsen, also prepares for the NIT after concluding their regular season with a solid performance; finishing third in the West Coast Conference (WCC) is no small feat, especially behind NCAA Tournament participants like Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga. The Dons are making their second consecutive appearance within the NIT after ending with 20+ wins for the fourth consecutive season. They managed to beat Washington State during the quarterfinals of the WCC Tournament but succumbed to Gonzaga, who later became the conference champions.
The upcoming matchup will also position Utah Valley as the lowest-seeded team facing off against the number one seed, San Francisco, adding to the competitive nature of the tournament. The NIT structure will see the winner of the Utah Valley-San Francisco game face the victor of San José State vs. Loyola Chicago during the second round, setting stakes high as the 2025 NIT leads up to the semifinals and championship game at Hinkle Fieldhouse, located at Indianapolis.
Confidence is bubbling within Utah Valley's camp as they aim to avenge their last tournament misfortune. Star player Tanner Toolson stands as a key figure for the Wolverines' postseason aspirations. He recently demonstrated his potential during the WAC Championship game against Grand Canyon, scoring 28 points and notching six three-pointers, which proved pivotal even as they faced defeat.
Toolson, the engine of the Wolverines' offense, averages about 13.3 points per game. Though his performance can be streaky, his ability to hit scoring sprees—especially from beyond the arc—positions him as one to watch during the postseason. When it counts, his shooting percentages jump significantly, raising from approximately 35.9% on average, to 57.1% during high-scoring outings.
The Dons will present Utah Valley with its most significant challenge of the season. With their solid ranking, San Francisco’s leading scorer Malik Thomas averages 19.3 points per game and lights up the floor by shooting nearly 40% from three-point range. This level of offensive prowess undeniably raises the stakes for the Wolverines.
Now, as the stage is set, basketball enthusiasts across the country are eager to tune in for this exhilarating matchup. Proving their mettle right out of the gate will be key for Utah Valley, embarking on their quest for postseason glory.
Fans can catch the live broadcast of the matchup between the Utah Valley Wolverines and the San Francisco Dons at the Sobrato Center on March 19, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. MT on ESPNU, ensuring no one misses the action as both teams strive for victory.
