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If they play like they did on Friday night and rebound the ball better, they win.

Also, this is the last game in the East Gym. We will not lose the last game to be played in there.

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Grand Canyon's coach Scott Mossman on Humboldt hosting the regional: “We’ve been treated like kings the whole time we’ve been here. Everywhere we went it was like a first-class operation. I wish the tournament was here every year. This is a college basketball atmosphere.”

"Its cute how they have Pack the Gym night. Up here, we just call that Saturday." - PosseBoy

Tuesday's first round game of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball Championships will likely be the final intercollegiate contest competed on the East Gym court. Following 51 years of occupancy, the HSU intercollegiate athletics program, along with the kinesiology program, are scheduled to move into their brand new facility across Union Street in the late spring.

Humboldt State head men's basketball coach Tom Wood has perhaps spent more time in the East Gym than any other individual. His first experience with the structure came as an opposing player on the UC Davis varsity during the late 60s, and he's been a fixture pacing the sidelines for the past 26 seasons in charge of the Jacks' program.

"I can remember the bad lighting, the dark floor, the old bleachers and the wood side backboards," Wood said. "There's been quite a change over the years. But the Marching Lumberjacks (band) has been one constant that has been there almost every game."

Legions of fans have also spent their share of hours supporting the Lumberjacks, filling the stands on a regular basis. That's one element Wood hopes to transfer from the old facility when the Jacks christen their new home next November.

"The packed houses I'll always remember," Wood said. "The community support and how we continuously filled (the East Gym) up. The fans created the atmosphere, and hopefully we can take that across the street."

After playing most of its games in a small facility constructed in 1931, the Humboldt State University basketball program officially took up residence in the East Gym in the fall of 1957. The gymnasium and accompanying lockerroom, classroom and office facilities were part of a three-stage building plan for physical education and athletics that also included construction of a pool and fieldhouse. The gym was the first stage to be completed.

Official dedication of the East Gym, along with four other recently completed buildings on campus, was held on Oct. 18, 1957, though classes had been held in the facility for two weeks prior. The gym itself was originally called the “HSC Gymnasium”, with the designation “East Gym” originating when construction on the Forbes Complex addition, including the “West Gym” was completed in the mid 70s.

The first basketball game played in the East Gym was an exhibition matchup between the Lumberjacks and the traveling Harlem Clowns on Dec. 10, 1957. Humboldt State dropped that contests, 72-64, despite 22 points from Jerry Hathaway. In their first official intercollegiate contest in their new home, the Lumberjacks defeated Central Washington, 51-49, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 1957.

Joining the men's program as an official intercollegiate program in 1973 was the women's basketball team. A year later, the Lumberjack volleyball squad played its inaugural match in the East Gym.

We know the numbers. We know the key players. Instead of reviewing that information again, let's look back at the two games that Cal Poly Pomona and Humboldt State played this season.

The first meeting took place at Kellogg Gym in late January. The Broncos jumped out to early lead in the contest before the Jacks fought back to eventually to take a six point lead into halftime. In the second half, Cal Poly Pomona stepped up their defensive intensity and forced turnover after turnover against the Humboldt State offense. In the end, Cal Poly Pomona got a 76-61 win behind a 24 point, 13 rebound game from Larry Gordon. The Broncos had four other players scored in double figures in the win. Will Sheufelt paced the Jacks in the lost with 24 points including 5 for 7 from the three point line.

In the second game played at the East Gym in Arcata last Friday night, Humboldt State was able to set the tone early in the game. The Jacks hit their first five shots of the game. The Broncos hung around for most of the first half as they trailed by three at the half. The Jacks opened the second half on a 13-2 run to open up a 14 point lead on the Broncos. Cal Poly Pomona would come back to take a one point lead on a three by Angelo Tsakaragis. Humboldt State would answer back with clutch baskets down the stretch as the Jacks were not to be denied that night winning the game 79-71. Will Sheufelt led five Lumberjacks in double figures with 16 points in the win. Larry Gordon led all scorers with 22 points in the lost.

Now that we are up to speed on what happened between the two teams this season, let's look at some possible adjustments both teams could make tomorrow night.

For Cal Poly Ponoma.

1. Pound the ball inside. In the last matchup, I saw Bronco team that could get the ball inside, but they were settling for the outside shot. I see Donnelle Booker, Kevin Neveu, and Larry Gordon trying to get some baskets in the paint in this game.

2. Slow the game down. The Broncos are not equipped to play the game at Humboldt's pace. I see Cal Poly Pomona trying to slow the game down and take time off the clock on each possession. It would be sort of like what Coach Wood try to do against Western Washington two years ago. The Broncos want this game at around 65 points at the max. Therefore, if they can slow the game down, it could work in their advantage.

For Humboldt State:

1. Give Larry Gordon a lot of different looks. Gordon is a talented player and will be up for Player of the Year in the CCAA. I think Grayson Moyer hit the nail in the head saying that Gordon is similar to Devin Peal in many ways. The one key difference is the range that Gordon has as he can hit the three if needed. What I try to do is to give Gordon a lot of different looks on the defensive end. Don't give him the same look everytime down the floor or he could adjust to that attack and take what the defense gives him.

2. More emphasis on rebounding. In the two games this season, Cal Poly Pomona got 24 offensive rebounds combined (12 in each game). The difference in the second game was that Humboldt was hitting their shots from the field. If Humboldt's shots are not falling and they give up 12 offensive rebounds, the Lumberjacks will be in big trouble.

Keys to the Game:

1. Foul trouble. In these types of games, you want to keep your star players out of foul trouble. The way this game is called will determine the outcome of the game. If one team gets into foul trouble, then the other team needs to take advantage of that in order to control the game.

2. Tempo, tempo, tempo. An interesting stat here, when Cal Poly Pomona allows their opponent to score 69 or more points in a game, the Broncos are 2-8 in those games. That's why I mentioned that they want to slow the game down. If I'm Humboldt, I go right at them and dicated how this game will be play from the opening tip. Whichever tempo is set, that team will win this game.

3. Protect the ball. In the first game, Humboldt State had 22 turnovers and lost by 15. In the second game, the Lumberjacks only committed 11 turnovers and won by 8. Go figure. I expect the Broncos to put some pressure on the ball handlers and look to force some turnovers early in the game. If Cal Poly Pomona can do that, the Jacks could be in trouble in this game.

The Prediction:
Score: Humboldt State 76, Cal Poly Pomona 67
Scorer: Peal 19
Rebounder: Vandermeer 9
Assists: Moyer 4
Steals: Moyer 2
Blocks: Vandermeer 1
Turnovers: 13
FG%: 48%
3 PT FG%: 41%
FT%: 76%
Rebounding Margin: Humboldt + 3

Bonus Prediction and Analysis on the Lady Jacks:

The Humboldt State Women's Basketball team will be on the road for their first round game as they take on Sonoma State. The Seawolves are the # 4 seed coming off a lost to Cal State San Bernardino on Friday night 52-49. The Lady Jacks are on a roll as of late. They have won six of their last seven games and they are coming in with a lot of confidence. Humboldt knows they need to make some noise in the CCAA Tournament if they are to have a shot to make the West Regional next week. A loss tomorrow night could be the end of those dreams quickly.

Keys to the Game:

1. Take shots that are in the context of the offense. The Lady Jacks have a tenedency to take bad shots every once in a while. Humboldt needs to get shots that in the flow of the offense and they need to make them if they want to beat Sonoma State.

2. Rebound, rebound, rebound. In games like this, if the Lady Jacks are sloppy on the glass, it could be a long night for them. They have done much better in rebounding the ball the last few weeks. If they can rebound the ball, I see them hanging around with Sonoma State.

3. Be the more aggressive team. In the second game, the Seawolves got to the line 25 times in the contest and hit 17 of their attempts. The Lady Jacks need to take an approach where they need to get to the basket and get to the line in this game. Both teams are fairly even on the season at the line. Sonoma State at 66.5% from the line, while Humboldt is at 65.6% from the line. This game could come down to free throw and whichever team can get there more often, that team will win this game.

Prediction:
Score: Humboldt State 62, Sonoma State 60
Scorer: Franci 22
Rebounder: Franci 10
Assists: Franci 4
Blocks: Taylor 1
Steals: Osborne 1
Turnovers: 17
FG%: 45%
3 PT FG %: 38%
FT %: 73%
Rebounding Margin: Humboldt + 3

Let's see if these two teams will be in San Bernardino on Friday.

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Go Jacks!!!

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Official results vs. Pomona
score: Pomona 73-70
scorer: Moyer 17
rebounds: Vandermeer 9
assists: Moyer 7 (again)
blocks: Vandermeer, Sheufelt, Moyer, Smith 1
steals: Vandermeer 3
turnovers - 14 (to 12 assists)
field goal % - 52%
3 pt. % - 29%
free throw % - 67%
rebounding margin: Pomona +6

Total Prediction Points (this game)
Super Fan - 8
Marauders - 8
Seattle Fan - 7
Marching Lumberjack - 7
EDAllen17 - 4
Jacks Fan - 4
Humboldt Lifer - 2