ARCATA — Provided with the opportunity to clear the post-final exams fog and memories of a disappointing trip to Southern California, the Humboldt State men's basketball team finishes 2012 with Wednesday's home game against Pacifica University. Tip-off in Lumberjack Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
As a holiday gift to the community, Humboldt State Athletics is offering free general admission. Fans are encouraged to take a break from their holiday shopping and enjoy complimentary entertainment, courtesy of the Lumberjacks.
Wednesday's game was nearly erased from the schedule after turmoil within the Pacifica program forced a forfeit of last week's game against UC San DIego. The Gladiators regrouped, however, and assembled a squad for today's game against Cal State Stanislaus.
Humboldt State carries a 4-3 overall record and 1-3 California Collegiate Athletic Association mark into the week's action, while Pacifica remains winless, though no specific record is available.
Head-to-Head
Pacifica University and HSU met for the first time in program history last year, squaring off in a competitive battle that the Jacks eventually won, 86-70 in Lumberjack Arena.
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 Gladiators can be accessed at http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/mbball/scoreboard.aspx
Projected Starters
Humboldt State Lumberjacks
Guard – #24 Austin Bryan, 6-4, 200, Jr. from Wenatchee, Wash.
Guard – #22 Cody Kale, 6-3, Jr. from Rocklin
Guard – #12 Tyler Brown, 6-2, 190, Sr. from Sacramento
Forward – #34 Thomas Witzel, 6-7, 235, Fr. from Arcata
Forward – #21 Aaron Chamberlain, 6-7, Sr. from Coronoa
Pacifica University Gladiators
Guard – #23 Dion Hudson, 5-11, 185, So. from Ontario
Guard – #32 Anthony Mangano, 5-10, 170, Fr. from Lake Forest
Forward – #1 Adam Tolbert, 6-1, 195, Fr., from Riverside
Forward – #40 Ronald Coleman,
Forward – #44 Jaden Radcliffe, 6-5, 190, Jr. from Covina
Injury Report
The Jacks remain intact on the injury front, with no significant limitations.
Lumberjack Notes
Scheduling a non-league contest directly before the holiday break was a tactical move by HSU head coach Steve Kinder, who liked the idea of hosting a non-CCAA level opponent in a more relaxed situation. Kinder plans on substituting liberally, bumping up minutes for those players who haven't seen much court time this season. "We have players who are still in a developmental stage," Kinder said. "Getting them out there executing our defense and offense at a higher level can provide confidence. This should be a coming out party for some of our reserves." …A bench-clearing skirmish marred an otherwise exciting game Saturday at Cal Poly Pomona, and the Lumberjacks failed to recover on the way to a 69-47 loss to the Broncos. Along with two Bronco players, Humboldt State's Darren Turpin and Deaudray Robinson were ejected from the contest. Both players are also required to serve a one-game suspension, leaving them out of Wednesday's contest. …Senior transfer Alec Williams will also be held out of Wednesday's game while awaiting word on academic eligibility. …Junior guard Austin Bryan found his range early Saturday, finishing with a season-best and team-high 16 points. …While the eventual outcome was far from what he had envisioned, Kinder saw primarily positive developments during most of Saturday's loss. "I'm pleased with how we played the first 32 minutes," Kinder said. "We held momentum heading toward the stretch. Our defense was playing well, and the game plan was intact. (The fight) was a game-changing event. We were unsettled from that point on." …Following the Pacifica game, the Lumberjacks will enjoy the NCAA-mandated 10-day break period before returning to the practice court. They'll open 2013 with CCAA match-ups against Cal State San Bernardino on Jan. 3 and UC San Diego on Jan. 5.
Pacifica Notes
Following a rugged start to the season, Pacifica's program underwent a coaching change, and is now led by Jeron Roberts. Five players left the team in the early week's of the 2012-13 campaign, and others were lost to academic issues. As of Monday, the Gladiators listed seven active players on their roster. …Coach Roberts will be unable to join his team in Arcata due to another commitment. …Pacifica University is a four-year institution that offers certifications, bachelor's degrees and master's degrees exclusively in sport-related fields. Academic options range from sports management, to broadcast communications, athletic training and sports criminal justice. The school is only in its third year of existence, and the athletics programs are affiliated with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. School administrators plan to eventually join a conference and affiliate with the NCAA. The university is located in Covina.
Kinder's Comments
"The Lumberjacks understand they missed an opportunity (against Cal Poly Pomona). They understand they can play at a high level with one of the top teams in the nation. We had every chance to win the game down the stretch." …"Every college basketball program suffers attrition in one form or another, whether it's injuries, academic ineligibility or other reasons. Unfortunately for Pacifica, they've been hit hard recently by several forms of attrition."
