GAME #1
Academy of Art (0-0) vs. Cal State East Bay (0-0)
November 8, 2013 at 5:30 PM
San Rafael, CA -- Conlan Recreation Center
Live Stats/Video | Live Audio

GAME #2
Academy of Art (0-0) vs. Humboldt State (0-0)
November 9, 2013 at 5:30 PM
San Rafael, CA -- Conlan Recreation Center
Live Stats/Video | Live Audio

TIPPING OFF
The Academy of Art University men's basketball team is highly anticipating their change to get on the court after an offseason that looks to build off last year's tone-setting campaign that saw the Urban Knights set program records in wins and offensive production. Reigning PacWest Freshman of the Year Alex Carmon will lead the Knights into the PacWest/CCAA Challenge along with a healthy dose of returners and a group of newcomers that looks to contribute out of the gate to move help the Knights take the next step forward.

PIONEERS STARTING FRESH
Cal State East Bay and the Knights tangled last year, with ART U putting on a furious second half comeback to come out on top with a 77-75 win. Carmon led the Knights in that game, which the Urban Knights at one point trailed by 22 in the first half. The Pioneers are a different team, however, as they brought in a new head coach in Gus Argenal to lead a first-year coaching staff who will try to advance in a competitive CCAA. In the poll released Wednesday, the Pioneers were picked to finish 10th of 12 teams, ahead of UC San Diego and Cal State Monterey Bay. CSUEB is returning their fifth-leading scorer Mark Samuels, who missed all of last year with an injury, as well as three regulars from a season ago.

MEET THE NEW GUYS
In addition to their returners, the Urban Knights are also adding some new players to the mix. Alexis Moore, who was high school teammates with Carmon back at Long Beach Poly, comes to San Francisco after spending time at USC and Saddleback College, and will reunite with his former backcourt mate at Kezar Pavilion. Barnes and the Knights also landed another local guard in Herman Pratt IV, who comes straight from Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, where he was named the San Francisco Player of the Year in 2013 and named to the Second Team All State all while less than two miles from Kezar Pavilion. Another local product, Matt Cesca, transfers in with some size from Skyline college, where the 6'6 forward played for the past two years after lettering for three years at Capuchino High School in San Bruno.

THE WALKING WOUNDED
Humboldt State played a pair of tournament veteran Division I programs in their preseason, falling to Cal and St. John's in their exhibitions, and will be pressing some young guns into service after injuries struck three returning starters. They will, however, trot out two players with Division I experience, as guards Allan Guei (Cal State Northridge) and Jordan Mackie (University of San Diego) will man the backcourt for the Jacks. HSU went 11-15 last season and 7-15 in the CCAA, where they were picked to finish eighth this season, as announced on Wednesday. The Knights and the Jacks have only played each other one time, way back in 2009.

IN TRANSITION
After the CCAA/PacWest challenge, the Urban Knights will have ten days off before hosting Cal State Monterey Bay on November 19. It will be the first home game of the year as the Knights tip off at Kezar Pavilion for a 7:00 PM contest.