The listing marks the second time the HSU program has been included in the publication's preseason rankings. HSU started the season as Street & Smith's No. 1 team in 2003-04, the year the Jacks earned the West Region championship and advanced to the Final Four before being defeated by eventual champion Kennesaw State.
"We're going to enjoy this and try to live up to it," HSU head coach Tom Wood said. "We don't want to make too big of a deal out of it when we haven't played a game yet, but it is further validation that this program is a force to be reckoned with. I'm happy for everyone who contributes to that, including the players, coaches and fans."
Humboldt State begins its first season playing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association this year after five seasons in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Lumberjacks return all 12 players from last year's team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, marking the program's fifth post-season appearance in the past six years.
Leading the way is senior Kevin Johnson, who averaged 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game last season. The 6-7 forward was also recognized in Street & Smith's current edition, which selected him as a preseason All-American honorable mention.
Oct. 15 marks the start of official basketball practice on college campuses nationwide, including Humboldt State. Wood's team begins preparation for its first game, a Nov. 9 exhibition against national powerhouse UCLA, last year's national runner-up and the No. 10 ranked team in Street & Smith's NCAA Division I preseason rankings.
Dan Pambianco
Humboldt State University
707-826-3631
dmp1@humboldt.edu
www.hsujacks.com