ARCATA — Will the Lumberjacks leap into 2013 with renewed energy, or will the 10-day layoff leave them lackadaisical? One of the perennially top teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association will elicit an answer to that question Thursday before another tough squad visits to test the Jacks' readiness Saturday.
Humboldt State, 5-3 overall and 1-3 in the CCAA, welcomes Cal State San Bernardino (6-1, 4-0) to Lumberjack Arena for Thursday's 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Two days later the UC San Diego Tritons (1-6, 0-4) offer the opposition at the customary start time.
Following a 112-57 demolition of Pacifica University on Dec. 19, the Lumberjacks headed home for the holiday and a well-deserved break. They reported to Arcata on Saturday, and will have practiced five days in preparation for this week's visitors.
Head-to-Head
Since the rivalry began in earnest when the Jacks joined the CCAA, the Coyotes have forged a 13-6 advantage all-time. Humboldt Staet, however, has won the last four meetings. …UC San Diego has been less successful, trailing HSU 12-3 in the 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 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 both of this week's games 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, 190, Jr. from Rocklin
Forward – #2 Deaundray Robinson, 6-5, 185, Jr. from Baton Rouge, La.
Forward – #32 Darren Turpin, 6-4, 205, Sr. from Compton
Forward – #21 Aaron Chamberlain, 6-7, 200, Sr. from Coronoa
Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes
Guard – #3 Brian Goins,5-10,165, Jr. from Compton
Guard – #13 Lacy Haddock, 6-3, 185, Jr. from Las Vegas
Forward – #32 Taylor Statham, 6-6, 215, So. from Santa Clarita
Forward – #24 Johnny Bell, 6-3, 175, Sr. from Moreno Valley
Forward – #25 Ryan Peters, 6-5, 205, Sr. from Santa Clarita
UC San Diego Tritons
Guard – #12 Tyler Mcgrath, 6-5, 175, Sr. from Camarillo
Guard – #10 James McCann, 5-11, 165, Jr. from Carlsbad
Forward – #14 Drew Dyer, 6-6, 210, Fr. from Aurora
Forward – #20 Justin Brue, 6-5, 215, Sr. from Hayward
Forward – #00 Pablo Genovo, 6-10, 250, Sr. from Girono, Spain
Injury Report
Having an extended down time offered an opportunity to heal the minor bumps and bruises. The Lumberjacks enter the week healthy.
Lumberjack Notes
The schedule has not favored the Lumberjacks early in the 2012-13 season, matching them against three of the top CCAA schools, They've already played 4-0 Cal Poly Pomona twice, and last year's champions, the Chico State Wildcats, once. Cal State San Bernardino is also unbeaten, but the Jacks get to face the Coyotes on their home court this week. …Being home has proven a definite advantage for the Lumberjacks, who have fashioned a 4-1 record in Lumberjack Arena this season. That start has improved HSU's overall home mark to 160-20 since the year 2000, including a 57-8 record in the five years the Jacks have occupied Lumberjack Arena … Personnel adjustments were necessary prior to the break, and more changes may come when the season resumes this week. Leading scorer Alec Williams, who was held out of the lineup for two weeks to focus on academics, will rejoin the Jacks this week. His long-term status is still in doubt, pending the release of fall semester grades, but in the very least the senior will be eligible until the spring semester begins on Jan. 22. …Deaundray Robinson and Darren Turpin served a one-game suspension due to a fighting incident in the Dec. 19 game against Cal Poly Pomona, and are ready to go for this week's games. …Head Coach Steve Kinder has added Rakim "Rocky" Brown to the active roster. Brown, recruited last spring, is a 6-6 forward who originally signed with Eastern Washington but sat out last season. The sophomore averaged 20.2 points per game during his senior season at Fresno's Central High School. …With Williams absent from the lineup, junior guard Austin Bryant has assumed the leading scorer role. Bryant has averaged 14.5 points per outing over the past two games, while Ethan Dillard and Aaron Chamberlain have contributed 10.0 per game.…Chamberlain, who transferred in from Mt. SAC JC, has been Mr. Consistent for the Jacks. Averaging 8.9 points per game, Chamberlain is shooting .600 from the field, trailing only teammate Deaundray Robinson's .682 mark.
CSU San Bernardino Notes
After losing their season-opener to Westmont College, the Coyotes have rolled to six consecutive victories. …Brian Goins and Lacy Haddock are the top two of four Coyotes scoring in double figures. Goins is averaging 17.1 points per game. Haddock is averaging 15.0 ppg and is CSUSB's assists leader, with 28. Haddock is an amazing 12-of-19 from 3-point range, a .632 shooting percentage. Also among the scoring pack are Kwame Alexander, at 14.0 ppg, and Jamari Simmons, who contributes 10.1. Alexander and 6-10 center Pablo Genovo are the team's top rebounders, each pulling down 7.0 boards per game.
UC San Diego Notes
The Tritons are coming off a 73-58 loss to CSU San Bernardino, suffered at home on Sunday. They've dropped five straight since defeating Fresno Pacific in the season's second game on Nov. 10. …Returner Tyler McGrath leads his team with a 16.7 points per game scoring average. Also in double figures are James McCann, at 13.6, and Justin Brue, with 10.9 points per game. …The Tritons have been quick starters, outscoring opponents 226-212 in the first half. They've faded defensivley in the second half, giving up 280 points while scoring 227.
Kinder's Comments
"It was good to finish the year with a win (Dec. 19 vs. Pacifica). That gave us some momentum that we'll try to carry over into the new year." …"We'll continue to work on better execution on offense. Moving the ball better is a key to finding success as the season progresses." …"We've emphasized that it's a long season, and working toward a peak when March arrives is more important than the first few games of season. It's not a sprint. It's a marathon." …"Our players have a great attitude. They're looking forward to the rest of the season, and have the confidence that our record will improve."
