Game Details:
Date: February 22, 2008
Opponent: Cal State East Bay
Tip-off: 7 pm
Host: Cal State East Bay
Venue: Pioneer Gym
City, State: Hayward, California

This Week: The No. 2 seeded Oaks open the California Pacific Conference Tournament against No. 3 Cal State East Bay . Tip-off for the Oaks’ game is set for 7 pm at Cal State East Bay in Hayward.

Scouting the Pioneers: Cal State East Bay currently holds a 13-12 overall record and 9-7 conference record. In their last game the Pioneers defeated Pacific Union College 92-82. Senior Greg Walker leads the Pioneers in points per game, averaging 10.39. Sophomore Jawaan Rubin is averaging 5.67 rebounds per game. Junior Shea Frazee ranks No. 21 in Division II in three-point percentage (45.7%). The team currently holds five top-fifty Division II rankings, including No. 27 in Total Rebound Defense (32.040).

Scouting the Oaks: Menlo finished the 2007-08 season on a seven-game winning streak. The Oaks hold seven top-fifty Division II rankings, including No. 2 in Field Goal Percentage Defense (39%), No. 4 in Scoring Defense per Game (60.8), No. 14 in Total Rebound Defense (30.48), and No. 23 in Three Point Field Goal Percentage (38.7%).

Previous Meetings: The Oaks took home a down-to-the-wire 76-75 overtime victory against Cal State East Bay in their last matchup. Senior Cody Christensen led the Oaks with 18 points, going an impressive six of nine from beyond the arc. Junior Tim Kees, who shot the game-winning field goal for the Oaks, finished the night with 17 points and two steals. Freshman Julian Harris went three for three on three-pointers. Junior Chris Cobb tallied eight assists in the win.

All Conference: Bryon Wesley was selected to the California Pacific ten-member All-Conference team and was also named Cal Pac Defender of the Year. Wesley is a three-time Cal Pac Defender of the Year. Chris Cobb was given Honorable Mention. Click here for complete list of the 2007-08 California Pacific Conference team.

About the Coaches: Now in his second year as head coach of the Menlo Oaks men’s basketball team, this will be Brandon Laird’s second trip to the Cal Pac Tournament semifinals. Laird has led his squad to a 31-21 record since stepping into the head coach position. Having spent the past five seasons on the Oaks staff, this 2007-08 season marks Laird’s most successful to date.

Former Ohlone College and James Logan High School coach Will Biggs is in his tenth year as head coach of the Cal State East Bay Pioneers. Biggs owns the best overall record among the all-time Pioneer men's basketball coaches at 155-94.

Laird’s Corner: “We have worked hard all year and tried to put ourselves in position to play for the Cal Pac Championship… we look forward to giving it our best and taking the last step this weekend!”