August 22, 2007

CSUB men add 2 exhibitions, eye Alaska Shootout
BY MASON KELLEY, Californian staff writer

The Cal State Bakersfield men's basketball team has added two exhibition games to its 2007-08 schedule, coach Keith Brown announced Wednesday.

The Roadrunners will play San Francisco State at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Rabobank Arena. CSUB will then play host to Alaska Anchorage at 4 p.m. Nov. 3.

"Every time that you cross the lines and turn on the score it's important," Brown said.

The exhibitions give the 'Runners' new faces a chance to get some experience at Rabobank before the team's home opener against Fresno State Nov. 17.

CSUB opens the regular season at Cal State Fullerton Nov. 9.

"We really wanted to get two opponents and two quality opponents," Brown said.

The game against the Seawolves is important because Brown has started preliminary discussions with Alaska Anchorage coach Rusty Osborne about playing in the Great Alaska Shootout.

Playing in the tournament would provide national exposure for the 'Runners -- tournament games are frequently shown on ESPN2 -- while also giving CSUB extra games.

This year's Great Alaska Shootout field includes Alaska Anchorage, Butler, Gonzaga, Liberty, Michigan, Texas Tech, Washington State and Western Kentucky.

The preseason event is an exempt tournament, meaning it will only count as one game.

NCAA Division I teams are allowed 28 regular season games per season.