The men's and women's basketball teams kick off California Pacific Conference play this Thursday, January 5 as both teams get set to take on Simpson University.  You can follow all the action with live webstreaming provided by the Menlo College Sports Network.  THE WOMEN'S GAME BEGINS AT 5pm and THE MEN'S GAME BEGINS AT 7pm. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WOMEN'S GAME

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MEN'S GAME

Women's Game Preview: Simpson (4-12) @ Menlo (4-11)-5:00pm

As the Lady Oaks get set for their conference opener, you have to ask yourselves, is this the year?  Since Head Coach Shannon Osborne took over the program three seasons ago, Menlo has finished second in the conference for the past three years.  Thanks to a unique mix of veterans, coupled with a burst of young talent, the Lady Oaks potential to take the conference crown is as good as ever.  Some of that young talent includes freshmen Jolise Limcaco and Laurel Donnenwirth who are first and third on the team in points per game with 11.2 and 10.5 respectively.  Sandwiched in between the dynamic duo is senior guard Erika Garcia who boasts 10.6 PPG.  As far as Simpson is concerned, keep a close eye on Bekah Eppler.  The native of San Diego currently leads the team with 14.7 PPG after receiving the Cal PAC freshman of the year award last season.  Menlo went a perfect 2-0 against Simpson in 2010-11, outscoring the Redhawks by a combined 54 points in the two wins.   

Conversation with Shannon Osborne-Head Coach

Men's Game Preview: Simpson (1-12) @ Menlo (2-14)-7:00pm

Menlo's run at their California Pacific Conference title defense begins as they welcome the Redhawks from Simpson University to Haynes-Prim Pavilion.  Although the Oaks are 2-14 this year, you can wipe the slate clean with conference set to kick off.  This season Menlo has received prime time performances from senior Tim Tatum and junior ChaRunn Jones.  Tatum is averaging 15.4 PPG coming off last year's 1^stTeam All-Cal PAC season.  For Jones, who is averaging 14.8 points per contest, he has shown his ability to hit the deep ball, knocking down almost 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.  Simpson enters the contest led by senior guard Bryan Castillo, after the native of Benincia was the only Redhawk to make the All-Conference team last season.  This year Castillo is averaging a team leading 14.8 PPG, while taking more shots than any other player on the squad with 153.  The Oaks went a perfect 2-0 against the Redhawks in 2010-11, outscoring Simpson by a combined 40 points in the two victories.   

Conversation with Brandon Walker-Assistant Coach