Optimistic Northridge Finally Can See Clearly

The Big Sky Conference forecast for the Cal State Northridge basketball team has never been brighter.

Gone are the clouds of turmoil and uncertainty that hovered over the Matadors during the final days of last season. Unlimited visibility greets Northridge as it opens conference play tonight at 7 against Northern Arizona at the Matadome.

The Matadors (8-3) are off to their best start in four seasons under Coach Bobby Braswell. Tabbed by coaches and the media to finish third this season, Northridge upped its dark-horse stature considerably with nonconference victories on the road against Fresno State, Oregon and Oral Roberts.

Northridge’s preseason success has translated into a NCAA ratings percentage index of 85, the Matadors’ highest ever.

Maybe they’re not the conference favorites. Then again, the sky’s the limit. Either way, optimism understandably abounds.

“I’ve said from the very beginning that from a chemistry standpoint, this team is as close as any team I’ve coached,” Braswell said. “They know how to pick each other up and they do a great job of being there for each other.”

Northridge was 17-12 overall and finished tied for third in the Big Sky last season, its best showing in the Big Sky and its first winning record in Division I. Some of what was accomplished was tarnished with a crushing 91-90 loss to Montana State in the first round of the Big Sky tournament. In that game, Northridge squandered a 22-point lead.

Off-the-court distractions might have contributed to the Matadors’ demise.

Key players Rico Harris and Greg Minor were suspended by Braswell for disciplinary reasons for the final two regular-season games. While Minor returned to play out the season, Harris walked away, leaving the Matadors without one of their best players for the postseason.

Minor could have returned this season but declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. He was not drafted.

Stability was further threatened by reports that Braswell might be offered a coaching job at Long Beach State, where he was an assistant from 1989-92. But Braswell remained and said he has no intention of leaving Northridge.

“Right now, I have a group of players that I love dearly,” Braswell said. “They have worked extremely hard and have given me every ounce that they have.”

Northridge’s four returning starters and eight returning lettermen are the most of any team in the conference.

“We have guys who have goals of playing at the next level,” Braswell said. “But they care about being here and they care about Northridge basketball. In the past, we’ve had guys who had one foot here and one foot in the NBA.”

If the Matadors have a weakness, it is the lack of a dominant player, particularly near the basket.

Against Northern Arizona, picked to finish second to defending champion Weber State, the Matadors face one of the Big Sky’s best players in 7-foot center Dan McClintock, who led the conference in field-goal percentage and blocked shots.

Weber State’s Harold Arceneaux, a 6-6 senior forward, was selected conference player of the year last season after scoring 68 points in two NCAA tournament games.

Northridge is a combined 10-21 against Northern Arizona and Weber State, both of which have new coaches. The Matadors will try to measure up with teamwork.

Forward Hewitt Rolle (6-7) ranks second among Big Sky rebounders. Forwards Andre Larry and Brian Heinle, both 6-9, and forward Jeff Parris (6-5), slowed by a back injury down the stretch last season, will be heavily relied upon.

A look at the conference’s remaining teams, with their record in parentheses:

Cal State Sacramento (6-5): Three starters return, including forward Anthony Flood, who averaged 10.3 points as a part-time starter and has emerged this season as the Hornets’ top scorer and rebounder. Sacramento was 3-23 last season after an 0-17 start. Picked to finish last, the Hornets--4-48 in the last two seasons--might be the Big Sky’s most improved team.

Eastern Washington (3-7): The Eagles are picked to finish fourth after slipping to sixth last season. The team appears headed upward under fourth-year Coach Steve Aggers, 3-27 in his first two seasons. Guard Deon Williams, the conference’s assist leader the last two seasons, is the best of three returning starters.

Idaho State (5-5): Guards Stephen Brown and Kevin Sweetwyne, one of five returning all-conference selections, are the Bengals’ best hopes for bettering an eighth-place finish. Sweetwyne scored at least 30 points in three games last season. Brown is the team’s leading scorer this season, averaging 15.4 points, third in the conference.

Montana (5-6): Forward Matt Williams, an all-conference selection, is the Big Sky’s scoring and rebounding leader, averaging 18.9 points and 8.7 rebounds. Guard Mike Warhank, a three-point shooting threat, is the only other returning starter. The Grizzlies, picked to finish sixth, failed to qualify for the Big Sky tournament last season for the first time in 22 years.

Montana State (7-5): The Bobcats, who have eliminated Northridge in each of the last two seasons, are picked to finish fifth but could be a sleeper. Montana State has posted five consecutive winning seasons. Forward John Lazosky averages 14.7 points.

Northern Arizona (6-5): The Lumberjacks have started slow under first-year Coach Mike Adras. McClintock was Big Sky tournament most valuable player two years ago and remains among the conference’s top inside forces. Guard Ross Land, the only other returning starter, is averaging 14.8 points. The Lumberjacks lost to Oregon, 91-54, two weeks after Northridge’s 79-77 victory over the Ducks at Oregon.

Portland State (8-4): The Vikings, picked to finish eighth, aren’t as talented as their early showing suggests. Among the smallest teams in the conference, Portland State could have rebounding problems. Forward Ime Udoka is averaging 15 points, fourth in the conference. Two starters return.

Weber State (8-3): Unquestionably the team to beat. Arceneaux, who averaged 22.3 points, and guard Eddie Gill, who averaged 14, were the team’s scoring leaders last season and were all-conference selections. The No. 14-seeded Wildcats upset No. 3 North Carolina, 76-74, in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season. First-year Coach Joe Cravens was a Wildcat assistant the last two years.