ARCATA, Calif---  Humboldt State men's basketball team will begin the 2021-22 regular season participating in the CCAA/GNAC Challenge in Carson, California, this Friday-Saturday, November 12-13.  HSU will face Western Washington this Friday, November 12 and Simon Fraser this Saturday, November 13. Both games will take place at 5pm at the Torodome on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills.
 
COACHING STAFF:  The 'Jacks are coached by second-year head coach Tae Norwood.  Coach Norwood has a .692 winning percentage during his two-years as a head coach. Norwood led the 'Jacks to a 4-5 record during the pandemic season.  He came to Humboldt State from Florida, where he guided Keiser University to a 23-7 record during the 2019-20 season including a share of the conference regular season title.  Keiser also appeared in the NAIA Tournament. 
 
On his staff are Andy Harre (first year), HSU Alum and former men's basketball player Colin Caslick (third season) along with volunteers Jason Hodges and Baron Parks. 

LIVE STATS/VIDEO:  To view the video stream, go to www.ccaanetwork.com/hsu. For live stats, go to https://hsujacks.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary.

PANDEMIC SEASON: Humboldt State went 4-5 during the pandemic season  with AJ Sims leading the way with his 17.3 scoring average and 5.4 rebounding average.  He also shot 50% from the field and three-point territory.  Bryce Mitchell averaged 10.1 points per game followed by Amari Green at 8.7 points per game and Keshawn Hall at 6.6 points per game and 53.8% shooting from the field.  HSU returns nine letter-winners from last year's including Sims, Mitchell, Green and Hall.  The three others are Jordan Robinson, Derek Burgess II, Brandon Porter, Austin Harris and John Riddick.
 
NEWCOMERS:  The 'Jacks welcome ten newcomers to this year's team in Will Johnson, Brandon Recek, Thomas Nelson, Andrew Mork, Jaden Edwards, Jacob Washington, Alonzo Washington, Thomas Melonja and Cam Timmons.
 
IMPORTANT REGION GAMES:  Even though these games are conference games, these two games matter for the end of the season regional rankings as they are in-region opponents.  Both Western Washington and Simon Fraser are members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). HSU's two other in-region non-conference opponents  are Western Oregon (GNAC) and Dominican (PacWest).  The 'Jacks will also face Lincoln (Calif.) and Simpson. 
 
SIX-GAME HOMESTAND NEXT:  After this weekend's tournament, HSU will be at home for its next six straight home games starting with Lincoln University on November 20 at 7pm.  This will be the 'Jacks 21-22 home opener. 
 
22-GAME CCAA SCHEDULE:  The Lumberjacks will play a 22-game CCAA schedule beginning Dec. 2-4 when they host SF State and Cal State Monterey Bay. The 'Jacks will entertain the Gators on Dec. 2 and the Otters on Dec. 4.  Tip-off for both games is set for 7:30pm at Lumberjack Arena.
 
WESTERN WASHINGTON: The Vikings didn't play during the pandemic season and were 20-10 overall including 13-7 in the GNAC during the 2019-20 season.  WWU ls led by 2021-22 Pre-season All-GNAC honorees D'Angelo Minnis and Jalen Green.  Both of them were named to the 2019-20 All-GNAC Team.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES (HSU vs. WWU):  Western Washington leads the all-time series 12-9 between the two teams including winning on November 17, 2018 in Burnaby, British Columbia 81-76.  The last HSU win was on January 28,2006, a 108-97 win in ARcaa.
 
SIMON FRASER: Simon Fraser didn't play during the pandemic season, but was 16-13 during the 2019-20 season including 9-11 in the GNAC.  Jasdeeep Singh is Simon Fraser's top returner from 2019-20 as he was named to the 2021-22 Pre-season All-GNAC Team.  Singh was a Second Team All-GNAC honoree in 2019-20.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES (HSU vs. SIMON FRASER): The series between the 'Jacks and Simon Fraser is even at 1-1.  Simon Fraser won 73-72 on November 16, 2018 in Burnaby, British Columbia.  The 'Jacks won 87-62 on November 12, 2016, as current assistant coach Colin Caslick scored eight points had two steals and an assist for Humboldt State.
 
UP NEXT:  The Lumberjacks will host Lincoln University out of Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, November 20 in their home opener at 7pm.  Lincoln is coached by NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton and was recently selected to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.