The Southern Oregon men open Cascade Conference action this weekend, looking to improve on a 7-1 start to the season.

The Raiders host Concordia Friday night and Warner Pacific Saturday night. Both games start at 7:30 p.m., following the women's games.

Friday night will feature a pair of up-and-coming teams.

Southern Oregon is 7-1 and off to its best start since the 2005-06 season. Concordia comes in after going a perfect 8-0 in the preseason.

The Raiders have five players averaging double-figures heading into conference play. Ryan Staker (Las Vegas, Nevada/Centennial), back from injury, is averaging 14.5 points, while Humphrey Jackson (Redwood City, Calif./Woodside) averages 14, Justonn Smith (Redwood City, Calif./Woodside) goes for 13.5, Drew Herrera (Medford, Ore./North Medford) goes for 10.5 and Roland Johnson (Yuba City, Calif./Yuba) averages 10.3.

As a team, the Raiders are shooting 48 percent from the field and averaging almost 82 points a game.

Concordia may be the best offensive team in the conference this year. In the eight wins, the Cavs are averaging 91 points and shooting 52 percent from the field. They are also holding opponents to just under 40 percent shooting.

Alex Tiefenthaler is averaging 23 points per game to lead the Cavs.

Saturday's matchup will give the Raiders another chance to knock off a highly ranked opponent.

Last year SOU defeated three teams that were ranked in the NAIA's Top 10 at the time.

Warner Pacific will come into Saturday's game ranked fifth in the Nation after going 5-2 in the preseason.

One of those losses came to Cal Maritime, a team that SOU defeated earlier in the season.

The Knights are led by Jake Glisson's nearly 20 points per-game, while Kaylone Riley is averaging 11 points and six blocks.