SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team will open its competition schedule with an exhibition at San Diego State on Thursday night.

SCHEDULE
Exhibition
Thursday, Nov. 1 – 7:00 p.m.
Cal State San Marcos at San Diego State
San Diego, Calif. – Viejas Arena
Live Stats

Game 1
Saturday, Nov. 3 – 7:00 p.m.
Cal State San Marcos at Fresno Pacific
Fresno, Calif. – Special Events Center
Live Video
Live Stats

COUGARS, AZTECS ON TAP
CSUSM will open the season for the second-consecutive year with an exhibition at San Diego State on Thursday at Viejas Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. The Aztecs downed the Cougars 78-63 in what was the first-ever game played by CSUSM in 2011. Cougar guard Tim Steed registered a game-high 21 points, while Aaron Chamberlain chipped in with 18.

SDSU PREVIEW
The Aztecs are currently ranked No. 20 in the AP Preseason Top 25. It is the highest SDSU has been ranked in the preseason in school history. SDSU is coming of a 26-8 season, in which the Aztecs were runners-up in the Mountain West Conference Tournament and were eliminated in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. SDSU is two years removed from a 34-3 campaign, in which the Aztecs won the MWC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. SDSU has been picked to win the MWC title this season in a preseason poll of conference coaches.

FRESNO PACIFIC PREVIEW
After the SDSU clash, the Cougars will open their official playing schedule on Saturday against Fresno Pacific. The Sunbirds are in the process of transitioning into NCAA Division II and are in their first season competing in the PacWest Conference. FPU went 15-16 in its final year in NAIA, falling to eventual national champion Concordia (Calif.) in the first round of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) tournament on Mar. 1, 2012.

A LOOK INSIDE
The Cougars return five letterwinners from their debut season, including starting point guard Danny Redmon and small forward Jacob Ranger. Redmon averaged 9.6 points and 4.8 assists in 2011-12, while Ranger posted averages of 14.2 points and 39-percent from three-point land. Joining the ranks are six newcomers, including three transfers from the NCAA DI ranks.

PROBABLE STARTERS – QUICK FACT
G  - Danny Redmon - Started 26 of 30 games in 2011-12. Averaged 9.6 ppg, 4.8 apg, and 5.2 boards
G – Bryan Emanuel - Appeared in three games for the Cougars before an injury cut his season short.
F – Jacob Ranger - Led the Cougars in three-point shooting. Averaged 14.2 ppg.
F - Quincy Lawson - Transferred to CSUSM from Loyola Marymount. Appeared in 39 games at LMU.
F – Ali Langford – Appeared in 29 games at Niagara University. Shot 45.5% 3FG.

INITIAL IMPRESSION
The Cougars received their highest ranking in school history when NAIA coaches picked them at No. 20 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll. It is the second time in program history CSUSM has been ranked, having previously been No. 24 from Jan. 9-15, 2012.

ON THE ROAD
CSUSM will play its first four games on the road in 2012-13, starting with SDSU and FPU. The Cougars then travel to Las Vegas to face No. 4 Robert Morris and Rocky Mountain (Mont.) on Nov. 9 and 10, respectively. CSUSM went 12-8 last season away from home.

HOME OPENER
CSUSM hosts No. 13 Biola in the team's home opener on Nov. 14 at MiraCosta College. For information on season tickets and single-game ticket options, click here.

STAYIN' SOCIAL
Get an inside look into Cougar Athletics via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Like us at facebook.com/CSUSMcougars and follow along at twitter.com/CSUSMcougars. Also, you can watch highlights, previews and recaps at youtube.com/CSUSMathletics. Stay posted for giveaways and prizes throughout the season!

GOLF FOR A CAUSE
The fifth-annual Cougar Scramble Golf Tournament will be on Monday, November 5 at Shadowridge Country Club in Vista. Proceeds from the tournament will go toward student scholarships at Cal State San Marcos. Visit csusmcougars.com/cougarscramble to sign up today.