Humboldt State men’s basketball team, under the guidance of head coach Tae Norwood, is ready to begin the 2021-22 season after the pandemic year in which the ‘Jacks were able to play nine games.  Coach Norwood welcomes back four returners from last year’s team including AJ Sims and Bryce Mitchell who averaged 17.3 points per game and 10.1 points per game respectively.  Also, back for the ‘Jacks are Amari Green, John Riddick and Keshawn Hall. Coach Norwood brings in 13 newcomers to this year’s team.

 “I am excited for the opportunity to FINALLY have a home opener in Lumberjack Arena,” said Norwood. “I expect the environment to be electrifying after the one-year layoff due to the pandemic.”

 The Lumberjacks will begin their 2021-22 season in Carson in the CCAA/GNAC Challenge on November 12-13 as they will face Western Washington and Simon Fraser.  Their home opener is set for Saturday, November 20 at 7pm against Lincoln University, who is coached by former NBA All-Star Gary Payton.  Three days later, HSU will host Western Oregon on November 23 at 7pm.  After Thanksgiving, HSU will end its three-game homestand against Dominican University at 4pm before entering CCAA play.

 “It was our goal to put together a highly competitive non-conference schedule,” noted the second-year head coach. “We will face-off against four really good West Region opponents. It’s our anticipation that these regional games will help us be better prepared for the gauntlet that awaits us in the CCAA.”

 Humboldt State will begin its 22-game California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) season with a pair of home games on December 2 and 4 against San Francisco State and Cal State Monterey Bay.  Before returning to CCAA play, the ‘Jacks will finish off their non-conference schedule hosting Simpson on December 9 at 7pm.  The ‘Jacks will go on the road for a three-game stretch beginning with Stanislaus State on December 11 followed by Chico State on December 18 and Sonoma State on December 20.

 HSU will return home in the New Year when the ‘Jacks face Sonoma State  in a 3pm scheduled tip-off on January 2.  The ‘Jacks will go on the road in Southern California when they face Cal State San Marcos and Cal State Los Angeles on January 6 and 8. They will come back home to Lumberjack Arena to face Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona on January 13 and 15. 

 The ‘Jacks will go back on the road to face Cal State East Bay in Hayward on January 20 and Cal State Dominguez Hills on January 22 in Carson. The Lumberjacks will come back home for a pair of games on January 27 and 29 against Chico State and Stanislaus State respectively.  HSU will return to the Bay Area to face Cal State Monterey Bay and San Francisco State on February 3 and 5. 

 They will come back to the friendly confines of Lumberjack Arena to face Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State East Bay on February 10 and 12.  Their final road trip of the regular season will be in Southern California when the ‘Jacks take on Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino on February 17 and 19.

 “The ability to have a home crowd in Lumberjack Arena will be an enormous advantage,” added Coach Norwood.  “The support from the student body and surrounding community is surreal, it’s unlike any other in CCAA. It’s my hope that these home games will bring back a sense of normalcy to HSU brand.”

 Humboldt State will finish off its regular with a two-game homestand against Cal State Los Angeles (February 24) and Cal State San Marcos (February 26).  The ‘Jacks will host the 2021-22 CCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships March 3-5.