Preview: Toreros open 2025-26 men’s basketball season vs. Occidental

by Bill Center

Occidental at USD

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Jenny Craig Pavilion

Streaming: ESPN+

History: First meeting.

Tigers notes: Division III Occidental was 9-16 overall last season and 4-12 in SCIAC play, losing by 51 at San Diego State in November. Nicky Clotfelter is a 6-foot-7 senior forward who played at Bishop’s; he is the only Tiger taller than 6-6. Occidental 6-4 sophomore guard Nasir Luna was the SCIAC Newcomer of the Year last season, averaging 18.1 points per game while shooting 48.6% from the floor. Guard Alex McCleery Brown, a 6-3 sophomore, averaged 15.1 ppg and 6.2 rebounds per game as a freshman. Luna, McCleery Brown and Clotfelter are three of five players who started games last season.

Toreros notes: USD fell behind 19-4 at the start and suffered 87-54 exhibition loss to San Diego State last week. Guard Ty-Laur Johnson led the Toreros with 12 points, Tim Moore added 11 points and Dominque Ford had 10. The Toreros shot just 29.3% from the field and were 8-for-26 from 3-point range. Worse, Toreros were outrebounded 49-24.

— BILL CENTER