SOUTHLAND TODAY

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UC Riverside (1-1) at Northern Arizona (1-1), 1 p.m. PST -- The Highlanders have already shaken off some of their rust with a loss to California and a victory over Belmont in the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament. Against Belmont, senior forward David Jobe recorded the first double-double of his career with personal bests of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Touted freshman guard Larry Cunningham had a team-high 18 points against Cal in his first collegiate game. Northern Arizona, coached by Mike Adras, has a 70-61 victory over Alcorn State and a 77-67 loss to Iona.

Cal State Northridge (0-0) at Oklahoma (0-0), 2 p.m. PST -- Northridge begins a promising season after a run to the Big West tournament championship game last season, but this game has the most meaning for star swingman Ian Boylan. Boylan returns home to his native Norman, Okla., where he is expecting about 150 relatives and friends. “I’m excited,” he said. “Everybody is looking forward to it. But I’m not going to feel like I have to score 40 points or do something special.” Forward Eto Onyenegecha also has an Oklahoma connection. His brother Chijioke is a junior cornerback for the second-ranked Sooner football team. Onyenegecha and guard Joseph Frazier have been battling knee tendinitis but are expected to start. Point guard Drew Lavender and forward Kevin Bookout are the top returners for an Oklahoma team that went 20-11.

Monmouth (0-0) at Loyola Marymount (0-0), 2 p.m., KXLU-FM (88.9) -- Loyola has the deepest roster in Steve Aggers’ five seasons as coach but finding a consistent rotation may be the focus in the first few games. Initially, the starting lineup will look different as newcomers Adoyah Evans-Miller and Daryl Pegram have earned spots in the front line. Sophomore Matthew Knight will start at center, with incumbent junior Chris Ayer serving as his backup. Sophomore Brandon Worthy will start at shooting guard after missing last season because of a broken hand. Monmouth is no slouch. The Hawks won 21 games last season, won the Northeast Conference title and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the third time in school history. Senior forward Blake Hamilton averaged 16.3 points last season and senior guard Dwayne Byfield averaged 12.3 points.

-- Eric Stephens