GAME NOTES
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska men's basketball team travels to Chico, Calif., this weekend for a pair of non-conference matchups to open up the 2011-12 season.
The Nanooks, led by first-year head coach
Mick Durham, faces Chico State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and follows that up the next day with a neutral-site contest against San Francisco State at 11:30 a.m.
“It's two games that we can compete in and you have to see how your guys react,” Durham said. “You hope for the best in late-game situations because it's your first few games.”
Alaska's opener against Chico is a rematch of a non-conference matchup from six seasons ago in which the UA took an 88-80 victory from the Wildcats.
The Nanooks return two starters from last year's team that finished 8-17 overall. They were selected eighth in the GNAC preseason poll and return the third leading scorer from last year's squad in senior guard
Jarrett Miller (North Pole, Alaska/West Hills CC). Miller averaged 9.8 points per game and was one of the region's most proficient free-throw shooters (.935, 58-62).
“I'm intrigued to put this team on the court,” Durham said. “I think we've done some good things since September when we could start with individual workouts. We've put in a lot of hard work trying to mesh this team, so it will be interesting to see how we react this weekend in the games. This group wants to be the best team that it can be this year. We have to develop the chemistry, togetherness and take this journey on together and that counts for a lot if we're all in it together.”
Durham on Chico State: “Anytime you're talking about the first game of the season there's a lot of unknowns. They have their perimeter players back, all three who played the bulk of the minutes last year. They have somewhat of a new team and they're excited about their team.”
Durham on San Francisco State: “Anytime you have a half day to prepare, it's not going to be too much. It's pretty much going to be film, we'll have a chance to watch them play the day before. They're somewhat of a new team, but have a real solid point guard.”
GAME 1: Alaska at Chico State
When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m.
Live Stats
About Chico State: Located in Chico, Calif., California State University of Chico was founded in 1887 and has an enrollment of 16,000 students. The Wildcats finished last season with a 14-13 overall record and was tied for sixth in the CCAA with a 10-12 conference mark. They advanced to the CCAA Championship, but fell in the first round.
Conference Affiliation: Member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Humboldt State is the defending regular-season champion and CSU Dominguez Hills is the reigning tournament champion. Chico State was selected seventh in the CCAA preseason poll. Other members include: CSU San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Stanislaus, Sonoma State, San Francisco State, UC San Diego, CSU Monterey Bay and CSU East Bay.
Coach: Greg Clink (Chico State '94) is 38-45 in three seasons at the helm of his alma mater.
GAME 2: Alaska vs. San Francisco State
When: Sunday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m.
Live Stats
About San Francisco State: Located in San Francisco, Calif.,San Francisco State was founded in 1899 and has an enrollment of 30,014 students. The Gators went 16-11 last year and finished fourth in the CCAA with a 14-8 mark in conference. They advanced to the CCAA Championship, but fell in the first round.
Conference Affiliation: Member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Humboldt State is the defending regular-season champion and CSU Dominguez Hills is the reigning tournament champion. SFSU was selected ninth in the CCAA preseason poll. Other members include: CSU San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Stanislaus, Chico State, Sonoma State, UC San Diego, CSU Monterey Bay and CSU East Bay.
Coach: Paul Trevor (San Francisco '98) enters his second season at San Francisco State after going 16-11 overall during the 2010-11 season.
