ARCATA — It's finally official. The 2012-13 men's basketball season is about to begin.
Two exhibition contests have provided Humboldt State with game experience, but the real test comes Friday when the Jacks host Simpson University at 7:30 p.m. in Lumberjack Arena. HSU was 1-1 in the non-counters with combined scoring edge of 154-153 against its opponents following a 87-45 win over Pacific Union College and a 108-67 loss to Arizona.
Friday's game is the first of three consecutive contests in the Arena, the schedule continuing with Monday's match-up with Menlo College. The homestand ends with the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener against Cal Poly Pomona on Nov. 21.
Head-to-Head
Four years ago the Lumberjacks welcomed a new-and-improved Simpson University to Arcata, and had their hands full in claiming a 78-68 win over the visitors from Redding. That victory, the most recent in the all-time series between the programs, improved HSU to 5-0 in meetings with the Red Hawks. …Humboldt State's most recent meeting with Menlo College resulted in a 79-45 HSU victory in last year's season-opener. HSU holds a 5-0 advantage in the all-time series.
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 live as the Jacks first battle Simpson University and then Menlo College by directing your internet browser to http://www.ustream.tv/channel/humboldt-state-athletics.
LiveStats
Live statistics for Friday's game between the Lumberjacks and Red Hawks and Monday's contest against the Oaks can be accessed at http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/mbball/scoreboard.aspx
Injury Report
Practice has taken its early toll on the Lumberjacks' lineup, sending three players to the bench with injuries. Brett McConnell continues to recover from a foot problem, and Darren Turpin is unavailable this week due to a shoulder injury. Deaundray Robinson is still struggling with an injured hand, and will be unavailable Friday.
Lumberjack Notes
Successful on-floor combinations continue to be worked out as the Jacks prepare for their opener, and learning the HSU system is also an emphasis with so many newcomers on the roster. When all lessons are learned, the product should be a familiar one – a fast paced, defensive-minded Humboldt State men's basketball team. "We want to play Lumberjack Basketball, and that means up-tempo, fast-breaking, pressure basketball that will entertain our fans," HSU head coach Steve Kinder said. …One of the newly injected players – Alec Williams – has displayed his power in the paint, and has been among Lumberjack scoring leaders in both exhibitions. The 6-7 San Diego State transfer put up 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Pacific Union, then scored 22 points and grabbed six boards facing the big boys from Arizona. He also showed perimeter prowess, dropping in three of four 3-point attempts. …Austin Bryan, Williams and Robinson started both exhibition games, but the lineup is far from set. Eight players saw double-digit playing time against Arizona, and 13 different Lumberjacks spread the minutes around in the Pacific Union contest.
Simpson Univesity Notes
The Red Hawks have seen double the court-time as the Jacks this late fall/early winter, having already played three official games and one exhibition. They began the 2012-13 season with a 88-55 practice loss against NCAA Division I Sacramento State, then started the season officially with a 95-88 win over San Diego Christian. Simpson is now 1-2 overall, dropping decisions to The Master's (68-48) and Biola (74-63). …Guy Varsek, a 6-4 junior guard, leads his team in scoring with an average of 15 points per game. He's not afraid to launch the long ball, connecting on six of 25 three-pointers thus far. He also tops the Red Hawks in rebounding with 7.7 per game. …Jonnie Washburn, a 6-4 sophomore, averages 13 points a game, and is 8-of-19 from three-point range. …Listed on the Simpson University roster is Nick Dalby, a 6-2 junior from Eureka.
Menlo College Notes
The Oaks have stumbled in the season's early stages, and bring a 0-4 record into this week. Their first three losses were by 10 points or more, but on Saturday they threatened to upset the NAIA's No. 23 ranked team, Southern Oregon, before falling, 58-56. They'll visit UC Davis for an exhibition game Tuesday. …Keith Bowman, a 6-7 junior transfer from Allen Hancock JC, leads Menlo in scoring with an average of 15 points per game. Malik Dunbar, a 6-2 junior, is the Oaks top rebounder with an average of 6.8. ChaRunn Jones has already put up 43 three-pointers, hitting 12 for a .279 shooting percentage.
Kinder's Comments
"It was a tremendous learning experience playing in a big-time atmosphere at University of Arizona and the McKale Center. We accomplished some moments of high caliber college basketball in giving the Wildcats a scare at times, but mostly we had our weaknesses exposed throughout the game. We will go back to the drawing board, clean up our mistakes, and move forward." …Simpson College will allow us to look across eye-to-eye for this week, compared to last week's monsters at University of Arizona. This contest will permit a level playing field where we anticipate better offensive execution and the ability to rebound with our competition."
