ARCATA — Basketball intensity ratchets up a notch this week when the Humboldt State men's team goes on the road to open the California Collegiate Athletic Association regular season. The Lumberjacks carry a 4-0 record into Friday's first game of the trip after having won all preseason games at home.
Cal State Monterey Bay (1-2) will host Humboldt State on Friday and Cal State East Bay (2-2) will welcome the Lumberjacks on Saturday. Tip-off in both Seaside and Hayward is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
On-the-Air
Every Lumberjack basketball game is broadcast live over the local airwaves on KATA, 1340 AM, beginning with the pregame show 15 minutes prior to game time. Bicoastal Media Sports Director J.B. Mathers describes the action from courtside.
LIve Streaming
Audio and video are also streamed live over the Internet through the
hsujacks.com web site. UStream format allows an interactive chat between listeners during the webcast. The specific URL for access is located at
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/humboldt-state-athletics
Live Stats
Friday's game in Seaside will have Live Stats available at http://scores.csumb.edu/mbb/. Saturday's contest in Hayward can be found at http://www.sidearmstats.com/csueastbay/mbball/home.htm. …All Lumberjack basketball home games can be tracked online by using the Live Stats feature on hsujacks.com. Real time statistics, momentum tracker and other information are included on the game viewer. The feature can be found at http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/mbball/ .
Head-to-Head
Cal State Monterey Bay has yet to defeat the Lumberjacks, trailing 15-0 in the all-time series. The match-ups have often been competitive, however, including last year's 76-68 HSU win in Seaside. …The Jacks made up ground a year ago, but still have a ways to go before they catch Cal State East Bay in the series history. HSU still trails, 33-46 after claiming two victories in 2010-11.
Head Coach Steve Kinder
The "Kinder Era" began last year with a 26-4 record and a regular season conference title, finishing Kinder's inaugural season of 2010-11 with high standards to match in the future. But the National Coach of the Year hasn't been resting on his laurels, instead attending to the myriad of duties from recruiting to planning another run to the title. After serving as the Jacks' No. 1 assistant for the 20 seasons, Kinder took over for his mentor, Tom Wood, in 2010-11. As an assistant, he played critical roles in recruiting and coaching while helping the Jacks' 217-77 record achieved during the past decade. Kinder is a former HSU basketball player who was a member of the 1984-85 NCAC championship team. He previously served as a graduate assistant coach for the Lumberjacks (1986-88).
Projected Starters - Humboldt State
G - #4 Brandon Sperling, 6-3, Sr., Fresno
G - #2 Scott Clark, 6-4, Sr., Pleasanton
F - #21 Randy Hunter, 6-6, Sr., Santa Maria
F - #21 Kyle Baxter, 6-9, Sr., Sacramento
C - #5 Matt Lipski, 6-9, So., Ashland, Ore.
Projected Starters - Cal State Monterey Bay
G - #22, Jeff McIntosh, 6-5, Jr., Gig Harbor, Wash.
G - #4, Brandon Ward, 6-0, Jr., Riverside
G - #11, J.J. Campbell, 6-3, Jr., Riverside
F - #2, Derrick Anderson, 6-7, Jr., Pittsburg
F - #23, Kevin Loustale, 6-6, Jr., Chico
Projected Starters - Cal State East Bay
G - #11, Mark Samuels, 6-0, Jr., Berkeley
G - #5, Roshun Wynne, 6-2, Sr., Oakland
G - #3, Jacari Whitfield, 5-7, Fr., San Francisco
F - #35, Nick Marshall, 6-6, Jr., Vallejo
F - #44, Jurrell Turner, 6-5, Jr., Hayward
Humboldt State in the National Rankings
No. 14 - NABC Division II Coaches Preseason Poll
No. 21 - Division II Bulletin Preseason Poll
Lumberjack Notes
Preparing the Lumberjacks for the heightened intensity of conference play is a responsibility both the coaching staff and returning players will address this week. "It's up to our returners to put the newcomers on high alert," Kinder said. "They've gained experience in preseason games, but they'll quickly learn that conference play represents a challenge on a higher level." …Kinder is satisfied with the progression he saw during the four-game preseason schedule, all Lumberjack wins on their home court. "We have some momentum generated by the four wins," Kinder said. "Our players have learned to trust each other, and that's built confidence. Now we have to learn how to travel." The Jacks' only experience on the road this season came in an early exhibition against Arizona. …Senior guard Brandon Sperling has been the Jacks' leading scorer thus far with an average of 17.3 points per game. He also tops his team in assists with 21 total, 10 of them coming in last week's win over Simon Fraser. …Besides the obvious statistical standouts, Kinder has witnessed several seldom-recognized improvements in his individual players. In a non-starting role, guard D.J. Broome is averaging 23 minutes off the bench, energizing the Jacks' press and leading the team with 10 steals. Senior forward Randy Hunter, a preseason All-American, has been responsible for guarding the opponent's most prolific player the past two games, and senior Kyle Baxter has taken over the quick inbounds play following an opponent's score. Baxter, who achieved career-highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds against Simon Fraser, has also been called upon to bring the ball up the floor at times as point guard."When Kyle's motor is running, it's high octane," Kinder said. "At 6-9, he's so versatile. He maintains our transition even after an opponent's score, plays the point on our press and has great technique. He's a special athlete." …Sophomore Matt Lipski has been called upon to provide valuable minutes down low, and the 6-9 post has responded with a double-digit scoring average of 11.5 points per game. He's been especially valuable during the absence of the Jacks' two other 6-9 posts, Tavin Hurley and Greg Leslie, both of whom have yet to make their Lumberjack debut because of lingering injuries. Hurley's back problems are expected to keep him out again this week, and Leslie, who suffered an injured hand, is questionable for the weekend. …The HSU coaching squad is also trying to find minutes for sophomore J.D. Esters, who Kinder calls "a true point guard who can see the floor exceptionally well." …The surprise of the preseason has been junior transfer Darren Turpin, a 6-4 undersized post who has come off the bench to spell Lipski in the paint. "He has the toughness factor and heart for the game that's contagious," Kinder said. …Sophomore Austin Bryan has made steady progress as he continues to recover from knee surgery that prevented him from playing last year and ankle injuries that plagued him during early practices. The former PacWest scoring leader and Freshman of the Year at Dominican University, Bryan is averaging 10 points per game and has become more adept at finding other scoring options, Kinder said. …Fueled by their pressing defense and up-tempo offense, the Lumberjacks' productive offense is averaging 91 points per game. Defensively, they've forced opponents into 89 turnovers, an average of 22.25 per game.
Opponents' Notes
After dropping its first two games, Cal State Monterey Bay bounced back last week with a 82-74 win over Cal Maritime. The Otters' two losses were dealt by NCAA Division I University of Pacific and Westminster College. …Forward Derrick Anderson has been the Otters' leading scorer in two of their three games, and leads his team with a 16.3 scoring average. The 6-7 junior is shooting 52 percent from the field. …Cal State East Bay began its season with wins over Dominican University and Academy of Art before losing to Western Oregon and Saint Martin's. Both losses were by fewer than four points. …Returning guard Mark Samuels is the Pioneers' leading scorer at 22.0 points per game. Nick Marshall, a 6-6 junior forward, is CSUEB's top rebounder with 7.0 boards per game.
Kinder's Comments
"Cal State Monterey Bay is always dangerous, especially on its home court. They draw a good crowd and it's a tough place to play." … "(The Otters) are scrappy and tough. They have a number of new weapons. We're going to have to scout them thoroughly." …Cal State East Bay is a much improved team. They have key returners and a group of newcomers that can change the complexion of a game. I expect them to make a good run in the CCAA this year." …This will be our first time playing back to back games, which represents another challenge."
