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* CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (12-16 last season) at LONG BEACH STATE (10-19), 2 p.m.--Both teams begin the season under third-year coaches who retooled with strong recruiting after disappointing 1997-98 seasons. Wayne Morgan of Long Beach brought in sophomore guard Ramel “Rock” Lloyd, a transfer from Syracuse, and 6-foot-11 center Mate Milisa from the Croatian national team. They join returning starters D’Cean Bryant, Antrone Lee and Grant Stone. The 6-7 Lee, second in the Big West Conference in steals and blocked shots last season, moves from point guard to small forward. Lloyd had 23 points and five assists in an exhibition victory this week. Rico Harris, a 6-9, 250-pound forward from L.A. City College, made Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell’s recruiting class complete by spurning Rhode Island to become a Matador. Point guard Jason Crowe (American University) and 6-9 forward Andre Larry (Oregon) are talented newcomers eligible after sitting out last season because of transfer rules. Five players who started at least part of the time return, among them guard Carl Holmes, the Big Sky Conference freshman of the year, and guard Greg Minor, who averaged 12.2 points.