HAYWARD, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team begins its 2019-20 season this weekend, as the Pioneers are set to compete in the Spirit of the Sisters Conference Challenge at Tobin Gymnasium in Oakland.

The Pioneers will face host Holy Names on Friday, Nov. 8, beginning at 7:30 p.m., before taking on Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m.

Expectations are high this season, but the team's enthusiasm appears to be even higher.

"I'm very excited, but not sure I'm more excited than our players," said Cal State East Bay head coach Bryan Rooney. "We've been practicing for a while and are looking forward to seeing where we are and testing ourselves.

"We know conference play will be here before we know it, so we want to use our next four games to put us in position to compete in our conference because that's what it's all about."

Cal State East Bay is coming off one of its best seasons as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in 2018-19, finishing third in the conference standings with an appearance in the CCAA Tournament semifinals. CSUEB went 22-8 overall and 16-6 in conference play.

This season, the Pioneers have been picked to once again finish third in the CCAA Preseason Poll. CSUEB returns five seniors from last year's roster, including leading scorer and rebounder Ant Navarrete.

In addition, guard Nai Carlisle is back for his junior season after averaging 12.2 points per game last year, while senior Trent Warren returns after sinking 34 3-point field goals in 2018-19.

However, the Pioneers are well aware that last year's success doesn't automatically translate to wins this season.

"I still feel like we've got a chip on our shoulder and a lot to prove," said Navarrete. "We didn't end (last season) like we wanted to, so I'm very excited to get back on the floor and compete with my teammates."