ARCATA — An attitude of optimism surrounds the Humboldt State men's basketball program following Saturday's stellar performance. The Lumberjacks have displayed a much-improved aptitude for Coach
Steve Kinder's recently implemented style of play, utilizing a smothering defense and opportunistic offense to produce results. Fans get an up-close chance to observe the new-found success when the Jacks host home games Thursday and Saturday.
Humboldt State enters the week with a 7-9 overall record, and is 3-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. As league play enters its second half, the Lumberjacks have plenty of time to earn one of the eight positions in the CCAA postseason tournament.
Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus will be in town, intent on slowing the Jacks' momentum. The Wildcats (10-6, 7-5) visit Thursday and the Warriors invade Lumberjack Arena Saturday. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m.
Head-to-Head
Chico State overpowered the Lumberjacks, 63-48, when the teams met in Chico on Dec. 1. That win gives the Wildcats a 109-73 lead in the all-time series, one of the longest rivalries in both program's history. …Humboldt State has won 40 of the 69 games against Cal State Stanislaus, including a 70-65 victory in Turlock in the league-opener on Nov. 30. The Lumberjacks have a nine-game winning streak against the Warriors.
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 – #15 Nathan Hentley, 6-1, 170, So. from Springfield, Mass.
Guard – #24 Austin Bryan, 6-4, 200, Jr. from Wenatchee, Wash.
Forward – #32 Darren Turpin, 6-4, 205, Sr. from Compton
Forward – #2 Deaundray Robinson, 6-5, 185, Jr. from Baton Rouge, La.
Forward – #55 Brett McConnell, 6-7, 225, Jr. from Mountain View
Chico State Wildcats
Guard – #5 Damario Sims, 6-0, 180, Sr. from Loomis
Guard – #11 Rashad Parker, 6-0, 190, Jr. Castro, Valley
Guard – #20 Sean Park, 6-2, 200, Jr. from Goleta
Forward – #15 Amir Carraway, 6-5, 215, Jr. from Vallejo
Center – #44 Jason Conrad, 7-0, 240, Sr. from Gilroy
CSU Stanislaus Warriors
Guard – #3 Clinton Tremeling, 6-1, 185, So. from from Sutter Creek
Guard – #12 Sam Marcus, 5-8, 160, Jr. from Bakersfield
Guard – #15 Marcus Walters, 6-4, 195 Sr. from Riverside
Forward – #23 Wes Bartole, 6-4, 195, Sr. from Valencia
Forward – #34 Nick Hodge, 6-6, 220, Sr. from Camilla
Injury Report
Brandon Woods went down with a knee injury in Saturday's game and is doubtful for action this week. …Aaron Chamberlain remains out indefinitely.
Lumberjack Notes
Four consecutive close games – including two victories – indicate the Lumberjacks continuing adaptation to the high-octane approach employed during that stretch. "The different style has increased our chances for success," Kinder said. "Our players are getting accustomed to it now, and playing better basketball." …In the past four games, opponents have turned the ball over at a much higher rate than the Lumberjacks, averaging 22 giveaways per game to HSU's 16. In the previous eight CCAA games, Humboldt State had turned the ball over 108 times to its opponents' 111. …Since joining the starting lineup five games ago, Brett McConnell has become a force in the paint for HSU. With 13 blocked shots during that time, the junior out of Foothill JC has risen to No. 2 in the CCAA in blocks per game with an average of 1.6. In the seven league games before McConnell's emergence, the rest of the Jacks' roster had combined for only 12 blocks. …In other league statistical categories, Nathan Hentley ranks fifth in assists to turnovers ratio at 2.1 (21 assists, 10 turnovers), and Deaundray Robinson is tied for fourth in steals with an average of 1.9 per game.
Chico State Notes
Following a couple of key injuries that thinned the lineup out for a short stretch, the Wildcats are back at full strength. Junior guard Sean Park, who had missed the previous four games, was back in form last weekend, scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively, in the 'Cats wins over Cal State East Bay and Cal State Monterey Bay. …For the season, junior guard Rashad Parker leads Chico State in scoring with an average of 10.6 points per game. Junior forward Amir Carraway ranks second at 10.1 points per outing. …Former Arcata High standout Jordan Semple is Chico State's top rebounder at 6.4 per game.
Cal State Stanislaus Notes
Cal State Stanislaus joined the Jacks in the elevator the past few weeks, going up and down while struggling to put together a winning streak. Last week the Warriors split at home, losing to Cal State East Bay, 80-70 on Friday, then falling to Cal State Monterey Bay in a 78-74 heartbreaker Saturday. …Humboldt State's defensive effectiveness will be challenged by the Warriors, who are second in the CCAA in turnovers with an average of 10.2 per game. …Both HSU and CSUS are in the middle of the league pack in rebounding with identical averages of 34.8 boards per game. …Individually, senior guard Marcus Walters is CSUS' scoring leader, averaging 13.4 points per game. Junior Nick Hodge also puts up double digits, with an average of 10.9 points per contest. …Senior forward Ray Mitchell is the Warriors top rebounder with an average of 5.4 boards per game.
Kinder's Comments
"Our confidence level hasn't been a problem all season. The players' positive attitude has never faltered. They believe they can win." …"For scoring, we've been relying on what we get in the open court as a result of our up-tempo style." …"Chico State was picked to win the CCAA in the preseason poll, and they are still in the hunt for a conference championship. How we do against them depends on our energy and coverage." …"We're a different team than the last time we faced Cal State Stanislaus, and I'm sure they are, too. I knew they have an individually talented group that can isolate you on any possession." …"I'm very proud of how hard we're playing. Our players have become a resilient crew that is great to go to war with."
