It's about 6 minutes before tip-off and fans are still filling the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. I got a first-hand look at what it's like in the locker room before and game and I'm sitting courtside with chills.
The 'Runners are a confident group right now. They're not getting a lot of respect here in Logan. The people are great. They all wish the team good luck and say hello. However, they give Bakersfield absolutely no chance. Zack Grasmick gets to guard Jaycee Carroll to open the game, which is sure to be a matchup to watch. Coach Keith Brown made a point to tell his players to ignore the crowd, adding that it is unacceptable to react to anything that comes out of the crowd. The students are sitting right under the basket on Bakersfield's end of the floor. The student section also wraps around one side of the building.
The crowd isn't huge, but it's animated.

After a light-hearted meal at a local diner — many of the jokes were directed in the way of freshman Curry McKinney, but jokes were banied about throughout — the team headed back to the bus.
While he waited for his teammates to pay, Zack Grasmick picked up a copy of the Standard-Examiner. He flipped to the sports section and quickly noticed a headline down the right column of the paper: Aggies cap 2006 vs. lesser foe.
The paper circulated around the room, and it was clear players didn't appreciate the message of those six words. Senior Randall Harding told his teammates that it shouldn't take a derogatory headline to create motivation.
But, it certainly doesn't hurt.
In the biggest game of the season, the 'Runners seem loose, but focused. They were loose enough to know they could make jokes at lunch, but were focused enough during the shootaround to get their work done.
The team heads back to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in about an hour to prepare for the game. In addition to this blog from Logan, Utah, I'm also filing audio Podcasts to the
Web. Check them out
here.

One of the best players in Utah State history is Wayne Estes. However, his story has a tragic ending. With six games left in the 1965 season, Estes scored 48 points, the last one coming on a 15-foot hook shot. After the game, Estes stopped at the scene of a car accident.
The car hit a telephone pole, knocking down a power line. On his way up the scene, Estes ran into the dangling line and was electrocuted.
The tragic story of his death shows how fragile life is. In the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum there is a memorial to Estes, and Cal State Bakersfield coach Keith Brown gathered his team around the glass display case to illustrate that point after the team's shootaround Saturday morning.

Saturday's practice
It's hard to avoid being caught up in the excitement of the weekend. The Roadrunners are a confident group going into the game. They were tired on Friday, but their swagger was back Saturday. The team practiced hard, listening intently to everything assistant coach Brian Dignan said.
Dignan does a lot of the defensive coaching, and it's impressive how much he knows about Utah State. Offensive sets, inbound plays, Dignan knows it all by memory. His advance film work helps in preparation. The more he knows, the more his team knows.
Utah State has every advantage heading into this game, but the 'Runners are confident they can stay in the game. The biggest key is going to be how well the team can contain Jaycee Carroll.
It's a tough test, and it should be a fun game to watch.

After Friday's marathon travel day, morning came swiftly. The 'Runners  began trickling out for breakfast at 9 a.m. The players don't meet for a team meal in the morning, leaving in small groups for either the continental breakfast or Burger King.
From the looks on their faces, the 'Runners took advantage of the chance to rest, looking refreshed. But, the true test will come during the team's 11 a.m. shootaround.
As I sit here at the Best Western listening to James Earl Jones give his monologue at the end of Field of Dreams as writer Terence Mann, I can't help but think about tonight's game. People will definitely come to the Spectrum tonight, and Utah State will be tough. The key is going to be a fast start. The 'Runners can't let the Aggies build a large early lead. If they can hold Jaycee Carroll in check early, Bakersfield has a chance to be in the game late.
An interesting side note to today's game is that assistant coach Brian Dignan was a student assistant coach at BYU when the Cougars beat Utah State 82-73 on Jan. 8, 2000. That just happens to be the last time the Aggies lost a regular-season home game to a non-conference opponent.
Maybe Dignan will be the lucky charm yet again.

As the Roadrunners wrapped up practice at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, I quietly wandered over to the rack of basketballs calling my name. I just wanted to take one shot. But not just any shot, it needed to be a 3.
I pulled up on the baseline and with a flick of my left wrist, the ball sailed toward the rim. It clanged off the front.
After watching the 'Runners beat up the front iron during practice, I felt even more like part of the team. I even got a comment from coach Keith Brown about my abysmal attempt.
Since nobody seemed to mind me taking that first shot, I took another that ended with a similar result.
Clang.
Determined to hear the sweet sound that follows a swish, I kept shooting and eventually I hit one and started to find a rhythm and felt like I still had a little game left in the tank.
Back to the 'Runners
Bakersfield arrived at the Spectrum around 5 p.m. The team stretched, worked on shooting drills and went through a mini scrimmage. At one point, Brown had to reprimand his players for their lack of enthusiasm. After their day started with a 6:10 a.m. plane flight, it's not a surprise that players were a bit dazed. If they felt anything like I do right now, it's a safe bet the players will be going to bed early.
Practice was followed by a quick stop at the hotel to shower and a trip to the Olive Garden. Is it just me or does the salad and bread sticks get better with each visit?
The team shuffled through the door, met a flurry of new people finally sat down to eat. Sitting just behind the team a man made a marriage proposal to his girlfriend, which brought a cheer from the team. It's amazing to see how well-mannered the players are in public. They have been courteous from the start of the trip, proving that Brown has recruited good people as well as good players.
Following the meal, in which the Chicken Roma — not be confused with Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, as happened several times — seemed to be the most popular dish, the bus returned to the hotel and players headed for their rooms. Saturday starts off with breakfast at 9 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. shootaround. The game starts at 6:05 p.m.
Check back from more tomorrow afternoon.

The Trailways bus pulled up to the Best Western Weston Inn in Logan, Utah a few minutes after 12:30 p.m. Players immediately got their room keys and headed straight for some much-needed rest.
The flight to Salt Lake City was pretty uneventful. After a night of little sleep most of the team tried to get some rest right away. Demarcus Hall, however, struggled to settle in, considering it was his first-ever plane ride. Hall said was nervous before the flight, but added that Zack Grasmick calmed him down. Hall, a 6-foot-7 junior forward, said at first he wasn't happy with the aisle seat he was given. But, after figuring out the aisle meant more leg room and less opportunity to watch the ground disappear below him, he relaxed a bit until landing.
Junior guard Brandon Robinson, realizing the value of an aisle seat, let out a sigh of relief when he found out he had a golden ticket.
I was lucky enough to land the aisle seat in the front row, a seat I would be willing to bet most players would be willing to give up their meal money for.
Once the herd of hoopers picked up their bags, the team boarded a tour bus and headed for Logan. It didn't take long to see how close this team really is. Playful banter was exchanged throughout the trip, that is, when the team wasn't sleeping. The bus stopped for breakfast at the Village Inn, a restaurant just off the freeway, and players piled around a long rectangular table.
It's amazing how much attention a team draws. A continuous flow of people asked the 'Runners questions like, "Were y'all from?" and "Who are you playing?" Many wished the team good luck with the friendly smiles of genuine people. Maybe it's the pristine scenery that keeps them happy.
While there isn't a lot of snow on the ground, the mountains appeared to be airbrushed white, creating an unspoiled appearance that makes for a beautiful scene.
The team will meet for film at 4 p.m., before heading to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum for practice at 5 p.m. After that it's dinner and, after a long day of travel, the team can, once again, rest.
I'll check back with a summary of the evening.

At about 5 a.m., Meadows Field is buzzing, at least in comparison to most days before the sun rises. A TV crew is setting up. The ticket counters are busy and a group of tired athletes take up a row of chairs on one wall.
Each member of the Cal State Bakersfield team looks like they would rather be anywhere but the airport. Judging by the way I felt and they looked, a majority of the people in the terminal look like they would much rather be back in bed or, if you knew waking up would be almost impossible, heading to bed for the first time.
At about 5:10, the 'Runners are cornered by a not-so-friendly member of the TSA airport security and told what one can or cannot take through security. Assistant coach Geoff Probst is the first victim of metal detector, heading promptly to secondary screening. In a daze, the players shuffle through security and got in line at Blimpie for some breakfast.
Once safely through security, the players seem to wake up, although only slightly.
The plane to Salt Lake City is scheduled to leave in about 40 minutes and, upon arrival, there is an hour and a half bus ride into Logan, Utah, which means there is a few hours to sleep before the trip continues.

I finally get my chance. After seven years of waiting and wondering, I am becoming a Division I college basketball player.
Well, at least I'm pretending for a weekend.
I am a step or three slow. I wouldn't have much of a size advantage in a junior high game. And the last time I touched the rim was my freshman year of high school.
But, when Cal State Bakersfield leaves Meadows Field at 6:10 a.m. for a game against Utah State in Logan, Utah, I'll be there. Since this is the biggest game of the season for the Roadrunners, I thought it would be the perfect time to take an inside look at what goes into road trip. From start to finish, I am going to document everything the team does. From practice to meals, I'll be there.
Be sure to check back periodically for updates, starting bright and early when I plan to post a dispatch from the airport. I'm armed with a video camera, so the Web site will have everything from podcasts to video interviews, and maybe even a few pictures from photographer Brian Drake who is also going on the trip.
If there is any aspect of life on the road you are curious about, be sure to ask and I'll do my best to answer. I might not be able to drop in 20 points or dish out 10 assists, but I'll be there to document it all.

Cal State Fullerton came from behind to beat San Francisco on Monday 72-69.  Can the Titans make it two in a row? With the way Cal State Bakersfield has been playing, there's a good chance the Roadrunners will lead by double-digits at some point.
The Titans don't have the size that San Diego put on the floor, but Fullerton isn't hurting for scorers with forwards Toni Thomas and Charlee Underwood. For the 'Runners to leave with a win, expect sophomore guard Kelley Tarver to have a strong night defensively.
I'll be interested to see if the Titans go to a zone early on to see if they can disrupt Bakersfield's offensive flow.

With Cal State Bakersfield making the jump to Division I, it seems only natural that the 'Runners eventually start playing Fresno State.
It would make sense, considering it could turn into an interesting rivalry between two Central Valley schools. With that in mind, I made the drive to Fresno Tuesday to check out the Save Mart Center and Fresno State's game against Stanford.
The game was full of energy, going back and forth until the Cardinal claimed a 69-67 victory.
But, before I get to the game, here are some random thoughts about the atmosphere. First of all, the announced crowd of 15,423 broke the previous attendance record of 14, 859.
The Save Mart Center was rocking.
The RedZone student section was full of boisterous fans, five of whom went shirtless and spelled out DOGS! with one letter per stomach. Not only did the fans turn out in droves, they didn't let up, hammering the referees on any call they wanted to be overturned or they felt was missed. At one point, a man three rows behind the basket threw a handful of popcorn at a ref, because he gave the ball to Stanford instead of Fresno State.
The atmosphere alone made the game worth the drive.
While I watched the game, I couldn't help but wonder what a Fresno State-Cal State Bakersfield game might look like and if, one day, an annual meeting could turn into a game each team circled at the beginning of each year. With a crowd similar to the one at Save Mart Center Tuesday, it would be fun.
Now, back to the game. After watching Bakersfield six times this year, it would be hard for the 'Runners to beat either Fresno State or Stanford, although, like their games against other D-I schools this year, I don't think it would be far-fetched to say the 'Runners could keep the game close. Both Fresno State and Stanford have a lot of size to go with a full stable of athletes.
Stanford point guard Mitch Johnson handles the ball as well as any player I've ever seen and he's only a sophomore. He finished the game with nine points, 10 assists and just three turnovers.
Speaking of young players, just wait until Stanford's 7-foot brothers Brook and Robin Lopez mature. Both players, who went to San Joaquin Memorial, have tremendous potential. They struggled at times against the Bulldogs, but they can play.
Fresno State forward Dominic McGuire is incredibly athletic. He got to the rim with ease, working his way around Stanford's taller post players. He scored 25 points to go with 13 rebounds. He only hit 7-of-12 free throws, though, which really hurt the Bulldogs' chances.
Stanford led throughout the first half, but when Kevin Bell hit a 3-pointer to give Fresno State a lead in the second half, the Save Mart Center erupted. Both schools put together impressive performances Tuesday. It was certainly an entertaining basketball game, one that made me dream about what might be on the horizon in Bakersfield. Rabobank Arena is a much more intimate venue, and perfect for basketball. It's something to look forward to, another reason to get excited about Bakersfield's move to Division I.

The game is just about to tip-off as starters are currently being announced. This should be the Roadrunners best chance to pick up their first Division I win, considering the Waves don't have a lot of depth.
The game should be played at a frenetic pace, which plays to both teams' strengths. I'll check back with updates throughout.

Well, thanks to the joys of California traffic, I just made it down to San Diego. The CSUB women are looking for their second straight Division I win, and are going through final warmups right now. It looks like the Toreros have a size advantage inside, but that's been the story all year for the Roadrunners.
I'll add comments about the game as it progresses.

The 'Runners led by three at the half, 32-29, but only lead by one early in the second half after two quick buckets by Saint Mary's.
Carl Damus has been strong inside for CSUB with 10 first-half points. Diamon Simpson scored nine for Saint Mary's in half.

CSUB has maintained the lead for most of the half, leading by as many as 12 so far in the game. With 3:55 left in the half, the 'Runners lead 24-17.

Well, this is what the 'Runners expected to see in San Diego earlier this week. They are running, playing defense and showing a that extra bit of hustle. Right now CSUB is up 11-3 with 15:07 to play in the first half.

The first thing that strikes me about tonight's game against Saint Mary's is the gym.
It's small.
Small gyms tend to lead to higher shooting percentages, which should bode well for Cal State Bakersfield.
While it's small, it's a great place to watch a game. I'm about as high up as you can get at the McKeon Pavilion, and I've still got a good view.
As far as the game goes, expect the 'Runners to come out with more intensity than they did against the University of San Diego. After the loss to the Toreros, freshman Trent Blakley said the coaching staff could tell the team was flat during warmups.
If the intensity is there on defense and if the 'Runners can maximize their speed, they'll be in the game.

Things couldn't have been much worse for CSUB into the second half, trailing by as many as 26 points. But the 'Runners are chipping away, cutting the San Diego lead to 69-52. CSUB coach Keith Brown just told his team during the last timeout to keep everything postive. It might be too little too late, but there doesn't seem to be any quit in this team.

The first half didn't end well. The early 4-0 lead is a very distant memory. San Diego is all over the boards, dominating the paint and the 'Runners are struggling to score.
Gyno Pomare has a double-double already, scoring a game-high 13 points with 10 rebounds. When he wasn't scoring inside, the Toreros were hitting 3-pointers, making 6-of-11 from outside.
That combination,  in addition to CSUB's inablity to get any offense going resulted in arguably the worst half of the season.
Dwuan Rice is having a solid game for the 'Runners with 11 points, hitting 3-of-5 3-pointers.

CSUB trails 30-18. Two things are standing out right now. First, the 'Runners have turned the ball over eight times, while Gyno Pomare is taking over the post. He has 10 points and six rebounds already.
However, CSUB is a perfect 5-for-5 at the line.

At the first media timeout, CSUB trails 8-4. The 'Runners jumped out to a 4-0 lead after a pair of free throws by Zeke Andrews. But four turnovers are hurting the 'Runners, allowing the Toreros to take the lead.

The Cal State Bakersfield Athletic Department and Online Commerce Solutions (OLCS) announced the launching of the CSUB Web Store on the university’s official athletic site www.gorunners.com, allowing fans to shop online for CSUB merchandise and products.
As the official online store for CSUB athletics, the gorunners.com store features a wide variety of licensed merchandise. Overall, the store offers more than 100 different items, including an exclusive offering of the Rudy Carvajal bobblehead. Fans will be able to purchase apparel for every varsity sport, as well has “hot-market” items and official team apparel.
Visitors to OAS will be able to access the gorunners.com store by clicking on the ONLINE STORE button/box on the home page.
"We're pleased to launch our merchandise store on our athletic Web site, and we believe our many Roadrunner fans will be equally excited about the opportunity to shop for official athletic CSUB merchandise in a secure environment,” said Rudy Carvajal, CSUB's athletic director. “It’s a great thing to know that purchasing Roadrunner gear is just a click away."

There are few combinations of words that, in my opinion, go together better than San Diego and basketball. I'm in San Diego for Cal State Bakersfield's game against the Toreros tonight. The Roadrunners are still looking for their first Division I win, going 0-3 so far on the season.
San Diego is 3-4 on the year, but a win won't come easy. Check back during the game for updates.