HAYWARD, Calif. -- The 2015-16 regular season is finally here for the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team. Coming off an injury-plagued 2014-15 campaign that saw them go 4-18 in the CCAA and 6-22 overall, the Pioneers have a deep, re-vamped roster for this season.

The Pioneers went on a road trip to the South last weekend for a pair of exhibition games at D1 schools. East Bay took on UAB followed by Tennessee State, with a workout at Vanderbilt in between, to help get them ready for the rigors of the season.

On Friday, the Pioneers lost 99-59 to Alabama-Birmingham, which reached the NCAA Tournament last year and defeated No. 9 Iowa State in their first game. They turned in an outstanding effort on Saturday, taking a first-half lead but coming up just short in a 66-61 loss at Tennessee State.

Gus Argenal enters his third year as head coach for the Pioneers and will be assisted by Jay Flores (third year), Daniel Eberhardt (second year), Marcus Ellison (first year) and Jacari Whitfield (first year). Whitfield joins the coaching staff after completing his stellar playing career for the Pioneers in 2014-15, which finished with a school record for three-pointers and All-CCAA honors.

The returning players from last season include Ryan Okwudibonye, Jack Pasquini, Patrick Marr, Marcus Norman, Tre Mauldin, and Paramvir Singh. Okudibonye was leading the team with 11.2 ppg before an injury ended his season after five games. Pasquini (8.8 rpg) and Marr (4.9 rpg) were the team's top two rebounders, although Pasquini's season was also cut short at the midway point when he was the second-leading rebounder in the league.
 
"Ryan Okwuibonye, Jack Pasquini, and Patrick Marr will play a huge part in our inside presence and rebound ability. Ryan is our best scoring threat, Jack is our best rebounder, and Patrick combines both of those aspects and has extreme energy and toughness," said Argenal.

The Pioneers add talented newcomers in Santa Clara transfers Jalen Richard and Robert Garrett as well as junior college additions Pierre Carter and Jacob Hohl, to go along with Alex Carmon, Alex Manu, Jordan Balser, and Marquise Tolson, who picked up redshirts last year.

"The newcomers that have stood out thus far are Richard, Carmon, and Carter. These three players have stepped up in the past weeks with their play and practice habits. I am excited about our two young guards, Balser and Manu, and I see Mauldin to be a steady floor general," said Argenal.

Always important in any team sport is defense, and Argenal sees it no differently for his team.

"Our keys for success all surround our mindset on the defensive end," he noted. "If we stay true to our belief in guarding without fouling, rebounding each possession, and pressuring without gambling I see this team having the ability to accomplish a lot."

When the Pioneers are on the offensive end, Argenal would like to see the team move and share the ball, continue to attack, and play inside-out. But even more than good defense and offense, Argenal prioritizes team chemistry with the utmost importance.

"Our season will come down to our ability to stay connected and grow as a unit," he said. "We have a great group of young men that care about each other and now they have to show that through their passionate and exciting play.

Cal State East Bay will host the CCAA/GNAC Pioneer Challenge this Friday and Saturday to open the regular season. The team's first game is Saturday against Montana State Billings at 6:00 p.m.

The Pioneers open CCAA play on the road at Cal State San Bernardino on Tuesday, Dec. 1, and then their CCAA home opener is Dec. 5 against defending champion Chico State.