PLNU at NNU: [Live stats] [Live video] 
PLNU at C of I: [Live stats] [Live video]

THE 2013-14 SEASON BEGINS:
The Point Loma men's basketball team will open the 2013-14 season on the road with a pair of games this weekend in Idaho. The Sea Lions will tipoff the season on Friday night (Nov. 8) at 7:00 p.m. (PST) against rival Northwest Nazarene. They will then turnaround the next night and face the College of Idaho at 8:00 p.m. (PST).

FOLLOW ALONG:
Coverage of the match will be available for fans to track through live stats and live video stream. Live stats for the match are free of charge while the video is on a pay-per-view basis. Both the live stats and the live video may be accessed through Point Loma's website at www.plnusealions.com or by clicking the following links: PLNU at NNU: [Live stats] [Live video]  PLNU at C of I: [Live stats] [Live video]

A LOOK AT THE SEA LIONS:
The Point Loma men's basketball team returned four starters from last year's team but it is still an all new look for the Sea Lions on the floor this season.

They returned Judd Welfringer, Marek Klassen and Hayden Lescault to the team after all three redshirted during the 2012-13 season due to injuries. The three are expected to start on the perimeter and provide PLNU with one of the most dynamic backcourts in the Pacific West Conference. The Sea Lions also return last year's starting point guard Taylor Wetherell along with wings Trevor Peterson and Oivind Lundstad. Freshmen Mike Planeta and Evan Garrison were also brought in to provide depth at the guard position. At the forward spot coach Carr brought back AJ Ussery, Malcolm Collins, Blair Banker and Sam Okhotin. He also tapped into the junior college ranks to add Junior Morgan.

PLNU played an exhibition game last week against the University of Oregon and led the Ducks at the half 37-35. Point Loma eventually fell in the game 68-52 but were able to take many positives out of the exhibition game against a top 25 Division I team. All three members of the starting backcourt scored in double-figures led by Lescault with 15. PLNU shot 56 percent in the first half and connected on five 3-pointers. The second half did not go as well as the Sea Lions hit just 17 percent of its shots and were outscored 33-15.

WORDS FROM COACH CARR:
On the upcoming weekend: "This weekend is a big challenge against two, very well-coached teams. It will be a good test for us to see where we are at in early November and where we will have to get to for conference."

On the Sea Lions' defense: "We are a little behind where I thought we would be. We need to guard the ball better and rebound better. But I see (the improvement) coming. It is just a matter of time."

On the offense: "We are shooting the ball okay and we are passing the ball well. I would like to see us score a little bit better in the post but otherwise we are where we should be."

Starting the season on the road: "I think it is great that we get to start the season on the road. We get to have the team together for three days. They get to bond and play two very good teams. It can only make us better."

SEA LIONS PICKED NINTH IN PACWEST:
The 2013-14 PacWest preseason coaches poll was revealed on Thursday, Nov. 7 and the Sea Lions were picked to finish ninth with 61 points. PLNU is coming off a 2012-13 season in which it finished tied for 13th in the conference with a 2-16 record (5-21 overall). Last year was the Sea Lions' first season in the PacWest Conference. Dixie State was picked to repeat as conference champions after receiving nine of the 12 first place votes. The Red Storm's Zach Robbins was also selected as the preseason player of the year.

A LOOK AT THE CRUSADERS:
This game will be Homecoming and the season opener for Northwest Nazarene. NNU was picked eighth in the GNAC preseason coaches poll after finishing seventh in league last season with a 7-11 record (13-13 overall). The Crusaders lost all but one starter, Kevin Rima, from last year's team. He was an honorable mention All-GNAC pick after averaging 11.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. They will also return four other letterwinners.

A LOOK AT THE COYOTES:
Saturday's game against PLNU is the College of Idaho's sixth of the season. It has gone 3-2 on the year and 1-0 at home. The Coyotes opened the season with back-to-back losses at the Finny Memorial Tournament in Montana before bouncing back to win their next three. C of I has scored at least 93 points in each of its wins, including a 93-83 victory over Northwest Nazarene on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Taylor Pruett, Jordan O'Byrne and Antonio Garrett are all averaging over 16 points for the Yotes. Garrett is also hauling in 10.4 rebounds a game to average a double-double.

NEXT WEEK:
Following the trip to Idaho the Sea Lions will return to Golden Gymnasium to host a pair of games next week. They will host St. Katherine's in its home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7:00 p.m., and then welcome in Olivet Nazarene as part of the Homecoming festivities at PLNU on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8:00 p.m.