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ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State men's basketball team faces a big challenge this weekend as it heads to Anaheim to play in the Disney Classic tournament, knowing it will face off against Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) on Friday, Saint Leo (Fla.) on Saturday, and Upper Iowa on Sunday.
"It's a huge test early," said Head Coach Steve Kinder. "Those teams have been nationally ranked in the last couple years and they come in with strong programs, great players. It'll be a tough matchup regardless of whether it's in March or just after Halloween. Our returners are ready, our new players are prepared, and we're excited about the trip down there that not only puts us in a national spotlight as far as Division II basketball, but a chance to get some good competition early and find out where we're at."
HSU comes in without having had a true exhibition contest, with its only competition coming in the form of a scrimmage against College of the Redwoods and its annual Alumni Game this past Saturday. Kinder says that his team is a little nervous not having had a game prior to this weekend, but says that he likes his team's chances. Each squad playing in the tournament will be faced with a quick turnaround between games.
Asked about the importance of the return of Rich Mendoza to the coaching squad this year, Kinder was effusive in his praise: "He's been great. So many people in the county are pleased to have him back, and his office skills, his dedication, the hours he's putting in are amazing. His relationships that he's built with our players have been very positive. He's a tactician and a very smart coach who has brought a lot to the program already and we haven't played a game." Kinder adds that Mendoza's scouting abilities and his willingness and capacity to establish camaraderie amongst the team will be appreciated.
Asked about whether there would be anything different that fans could expect to see this season in terms of style of play, Coach Kinder said, "You're going to see Lumberjack basketball. You're going to see up-tempo ball, and I think that the one thing you'll notice is what Coach Mendoza's brought to the program and that's a defensive mindset. We're going to do a better job protecting the paint, stay out of foul trouble, yet still pressure like Lumberjack basketball does, and be able to create turnovers, getting offense out of our defensive efforts this year. That's a goal of ours, and hopefully we'll see a little bit of that down at Disney."
