ARCATA — Competition ratchets up significantly this week for the Humboldt State men's basketball team when the Lumberjacks host Cal Poly Pomona in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener Wednesday. After that quick start to conference play, the Lumberjacks will welcome Holy Names University for a non-league game Saturday. Both contests tip off at 7:30 p.m.

Humboldt State enters the week with a 2-0 record after facing Simpson University and Menlo College in Lumberjack Arena. Cal Poly Pomona's Broncos represent a much higher level of basketball, however, and Holy Names represents another NCAA Division II opponent as it makes the transition from the NAIA and into the Pacific West Conference.

Head-to-Head
Since the Jacks joined the CCAA in 2006, Cal Poly Pomona has developed into a formidable rival. Witness the all-time record between the two squads, the Broncos owning the advantage with 12 wins to HSU's 11. Humboldt State and Cal Poly Pomona split last year's regular season games, each team winning on its home court. The Jacks broke the tie with a 74-70 win in the opening game of the CCAA Championship Tournament. …It's been awhile since the Holy Name Hawks and Lumberjacks have met, something that might change now that Holy Names has made the move to NCAA Division II. Humboldt State has dominated the series, 5-1, the most recent outing a 95-71 HSU win during the 2004-05 season.

On-the-Air
Humboldt State basketball can be once again heard over the airwaves on KATA, 1340 AM, the North Coast's ESPN radio affiliate. BiCoastal Media Sports Director J.B. Mathers describes the action. Airtime is 7:15 p.m. The broadcast will also be streamed live at http://socialstreamingplayer.crystalmedianetworks.com/radio/kataam.

Streaming VIdeo
Watch the Jacks' games live online by directing your internet browser to http://www.ustream.tv/channel/humboldt-state-athletics. Video and audio begin 15 minutes prior to tip-off.

LiveStats
Live statistics for Wednesday's game between the Lumberjacks and Broncos and Saturday's contest against the Hawks can be accessed at http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/mbball/scoreboard.aspx

Injury Report
Guard Nate Hentley sat out practice Monday after sustaining a head injury last week. His availability will be determined before Wednesday's tip-off.

Lumberjack Notes
Two wins resulting from divergent efforts have started the Lumberjacks' 2012-13 season, the first one a sloppy, erratic-shooting 83-66 win over Simpson University, followed by a hot-handed 74-55 victory over Menlo College that showcased HSU's athleticism. The Lumberjacks posted a 36.1 shooting percentage in the season-opener, then erupted for a 61.8 effort in their second game. Both games featured the Jacks' fullcourt press that forced opponents into 21 and 24 turnovers, respectively. "We took a step forward last week in beating Menlo College and performing better as a group on the floor," HSU head coach Steve Kinder said. " Shooting percentages and rebounding statistics improved from our previous game against Simpson University so we felt like we made a big jump in the right direction." …Senior transfer Alec Williams appears to have stepped into a go-to role by averaging 15.0 points per game thus far. Other Lumberjacks scoring in double digits are Cody Kale and Thomas Witze, both averaging 10.0 for the first two games. …While the new players continue to become familiar with one another's court presence, they've already found chemistry in the pressing defense. Based on the first two games, this year's Lumberjacks appear to possess athleticism and speed unrivaled by any recent HSU squad. "Lumberjack basketball will continue to run and keep the game in transition," Kinder said.  "We'll be trying to keep the scoring at a high level." …The CCAA's travel rotation has the Lumberjacks paired with Cal Poly Pomona. Unlike other league games, the league hiearchy allows travel partners to schedule their games against one another on mutually agreeable dates. "This early CCAA match-up will be a test for our new group of players," Kinder said.  "They will learn quickly what a CCAA game means – a heated battle, heightened competition, and just an all-out war."

Cal Poly Pomona Notes
Cal Poly Pomona has played only a single official game, coming away with a 75-65 win over The Master's College on the Broncos' home court. Three players scored in double figures, led by junior guard DeRonn Scott's 16 points. …Cal Poly Pomona is predicted to finish second in the CCAA preseason Coaches' Poll. Last year, the Broncos went 19-8 overall and finished third in the conference standings. …CPP's top returner is senior guard Mitchel Anderson, who averaged 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 2011-12. Anderson finished last season as an All-West Region honoree and he enters the 2012-13 campaign as a preseason All-American selection. …Coach Greg Kaminsky has long been known for the match-up zone defense he employs. That tactic should be one of the Broncos' strengths again. "Traditionally, Cal Poly runs a match up zone like no other," Kinder said.  "They have rules and guidelines within their system that makes it difficult to score within the half-court.  They give you quick looks from odd areas, but no second chances."

Holy Names Notes
Jumping from the California Pacific Conference to the Pacific West Conference, the Hawks hope to also step up their game in 2012-13. Last season they finished 15-16 overall and 7-5 in conference play. They're off to a rough start, however, losing all four games they've played this year. Holy Names dropped a 80-51 decision to NAIA powerhouse Oregon Tech last week. …Three players lead the way with scoring averages hovering around eight points per game. Junior Tyler Fry, who played alongside Lumberjacks Cody Kale and Deaundray Robinson at Yuba City JC,  tops the pack with an average of 8.7 points per game.

Kinder's Comments
"Cal Poly Pomona is an established college basketball powerhouse and we are educating our new players about the history between our two programs.  Many battles over the years have determined conference championships and NCAA tournament advancement.  They are big, long, and extremely athletic this season.  We realize they will have a revenge factor because we knocked them out of the CCAA tournament last season, and erased any hope of a NCAA tournament bid." …"Our early victories are very important to determining our success. Any time you win games, you begin to gain confidence and start to gel together as a team.  Our players are beginning to trust each other on the floor and sharing the ball more during our offensive possessions."