Forecasters Expect Moderate Growth in Ad Spending

There’s no telling what Cal State Northridge, or some of its new-found followers, might do next.

Except, maybe, beat USC. Then lay claim to Southern California.

“After we beat USC, we’ll definitely own L.A., right?” said Nick Garcia, a Northridge shotputter.

First things first for the Matadors, who roll into the Sports Arena tonight for a 7:30 game against USC.

Once-lowly Northridge (4-2) made its mark two weeks ago by beating UCLA, and has boosted its confidence with a victory over Kent State and narrow losses to Nevada Las Vegas and Marquette.

Beating the 12th-ranked Trojans (4-0), who are coming off a victory over Utah, might be harder to come by for the Matadors, 0-2 against USC since moving to Division I in 1990. The Trojans defeated Northridge, 73-59, last season.

Then again, it wasn’t long ago a Northridge victory at Pauley Pavilion seemed ludicrous. USC Coach Henry Bibby said the Trojans will be on guard.

“To beat UCLA is to let me know that they are coming in serious,” Bibby said. “We’re not going to be sleeping. They’ve made giant steps each year.”

The Matadors, picked to win the Big Sky Conference, are beginning to believe they can play with anyone--in or out of Southern California.

As far as who owns L.A., it’s getting more difficult to tell.

“There is a tremendous amount of parity in college basketball these days,” center Brian Heinle said. “We feel we can match up with [USC]. But we have to play our ‘A’ game.”

Forward Jeff Parris said the team’s confidence is surging.

“We’re not going to get blown out all that easily,” he said. “I don’t think intimidation will be that big of a deal. Now, people can’t say we’re not that good anymore.”

Quite the contrary. In fact, bragging rights have become a big deal for Northridge students, legendary for their apathy toward athletics. Suddenly, they have gotten with the program.

Garcia was one of three track athletes who made their presence known at Pauley Pavilion, painting their faces with the school colors of red and black and waving toy swords. Garcia, John Dagata and Brandon Goldstein said they will be in the fold at the Sports Arena with more surprises.

“We’re the reason we beat UCLA,” Goldstein said.

The exposure that Northridge, a 28,000-student commuter school, has received in recent weeks has been unprecedented and overwhelming.

The 1,600-seat Matadome was a raucous scene when Northridge routed Cal Poly Pomona in its first home game after the victory over UCLA. Game highlights and player interviews were featured on the late news, a first from a Northridge home game.

“I’ve gotten about 100 e-mails since the UCLA game,” Dagata said. “We’re going to keep this up every game. Every game! This is going to be a tradition.”

How much of a lasting impression Northridge will make remains to be seen. But by all accounts, the school’s athletic profile is rising.

“That kind of attention is what CSUN should receive all of the time in Los Angeles,” Northridge President Jolene Koester said. “Hopefully, we’ll continue to have this kind of recognition.”

An unprecedented trip to the NCAA tournament in March would do wonders. Northridge came within seconds of advancing to the tournament last season, losing in overtime to Northern Arizona in the Big Sky tournament final.

Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell, whose team split two games at the Marquette tournament over the weekend, said sticking to business has been the focus. But it has been difficult as the attention has mounted.

“I’m pleased because we’ve come a long way,” Braswell said. “This team has a mettle about them. They don’t worry about the name of the opponent, they just worry about playing.”

Northridge has continued its scrappy play since the 78-74 victory over UCLA. The Matadors fell to UNLV, 70-69, when Heinle’s three-point attempt missed at the buzzer.

Northridge split two games in the Marquette tournament, defeating Kent State, 89-85, in overtime, before losing to Marquette, 69-66.

USC, Braswell said, is the most talented opponent Northridge has faced. But the Matadors are used to matching up against more formidable teams. And accustomed to thinking upset.

“We’ve been able to capture the interest of the people, and that’s been nice,” Braswell said. “I anticipate a few more people at the games than we’ve been having.”

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*USC vs. CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE: Tonight, 7:30 at Sports Arena. No TV.