Cal State Northridge Matadors men's basketball
Encyclopedia
The Cal State Northridge Matadors basketball team is college basketball
program representing California State University, Northridge
. The team currently competes in the Big West Conference
of the NCAA
's Division I. The Matadors' current head coach is Bobby Braswell
.
. The Matadors played their home games at local high schools until Matador Gymnasium
was completed, before the start of the 1962-63 season.
The first game in SFVSC's history was a 110-45 loss to Chapman College
on December 1, 1958. The fledgling team would lose again to Westmont
eight days later. They broke through for the first win of the program's history on December 13, a 73-64 triumph over La Verne
. They would go on to finish their inaugural season with a record of 3-13.
The Matadors showed some improvement over the next two seasons, and joined the CCAA
in 1961. Matador Gymnasium opened on November 30, 1962, with a 69-59 defeat to Pepperdine
. Two consecutive last-place finishes in the CCAA resulted in Thomas's dismissal at the end of the 1962-63 season.
From 1959-62, Jim Malkin scored 1301 points for the SFVSC. He would remain the school's all-time leading scorer until 1994.
was Jerry Ball, who had been an assistant under Thomas. Ball showed immediate progress, taking the team to a 9-17 record in 1963-64, a six-game improvement over Thomas's final season. He would guide the Matadors to their first-ever winning season, finishing 18-8 in 1964-65. SFVSU would win their first conference championship under Ball, finishing 7-1 in the CCAA in 1970-71. Ball left the school after this season.
Ball's top player was Jerry Joseph, who played for the Matadors from 1967 to 1970. Joseph ended his collegiate career with 1204 points and 807 rebounds. He is still the all-time leading rebounder in school history.
In the 1977-78 season, things took off for the Matadors. Led by Division II All-Americans Terry Miller and Larry Singleton, and Chuck Evans the team would finish 22-7 and win the CCAA title. CSUN would make their first postseason appearance, hosting the Division II Western Regional
, but losing to San Diego
70-67 in the regional final. This game set the Matadome attendance record of 3,100 fans, which has not been broken and will likely never be broken, as the gym now holds just 1,600 people. During this season, the Matadors also achieved their first national ranking, ending the regular season ranked 7th in the Division II poll.
The following season, Cassidy's squad notched another 20-win season and another CCAA title led by All-American Chuck Evans. Once again, they were eliminated from the NCAA Western Regional by San Diego. Over the next five years, CSUN would have four winning seasons, but not reach the postseason.
That changed in 1984-85, when the Matadors finished 20-10, winning the CCAA and reaching the NCAA West Regional, where they were eliminated by Cal State Hayward
.
. The Matadors never won more than 11 games in any of their first six seasons in Division I.
. Cassidy was replaced by Bobby Braswell, a Northridge alum who was previously an assistant coach at Oregon
. Braswell brought with him an up-tempo, high-pressure style of play that has kept the Matadors among the national leaders in steals
and turnovers forced
during his tenure. The turnaround was immediate, as CSUN went 14-15 and reached the Big Sky Tournament championship game, falling just short of an NCAA berth in an 82-79 loss to Montana.
Braswell took the program to even further heights, going 20-10 in the 1999-2000 season, and finally breaking through with a 22-10 season that saw the Matadors win the Big Sky regular season and tournament championships and make their first appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament
. This team was led by Honorable Mention All-American Brian Heinle, who is the school's all-time scoring leader with 1641 points, and Markus Carr, who led the nation in assists that year and holds the school record with 767 for his career.
Northridge left the Big Sky to join the Big West Conference
in 2001. CSUN reached the Big West Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
finals in 2003-04 after shocking 23rd-ranked Utah State
in the semi-finals. Led by Ian Boylan, who holds CSUN records for three-pointers
and steals, they finished 18-13 in 2004-05. In 2008, they tied for first place in the Big West Conference. In 2009, the Matadors were selected as the pre-season favorite to win the Big West. On March 14, 2009 the Matadors beat University of Pacific in the Big West Tournament Championship game at the Anaheim Convention Center
to make it to the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
for the second time in the school's history.
As Cal State Northridge celebrated its 50th anniversary, the Matador men's basketball team played well. In one of the most dramatic, high-energized games in school history, Cal State Northridge recorded a 71-66 overtime victory over Pacific in the title game of the Big West Conference tournament. Following the game, several hundred Matador fans stormed the court to congratulate the team. Rodrique Mels, who scored 23 points in the championship game against Pacific, was named tournament MVP. Mels also scored a career-high 28 points the previous night in the semifinals against UC Santa Barbara. Tremaine Townsend, who grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds against the Tigers, was also named to the all-tournament team. Coach Braswell's overall record at CSUN is 205-180.
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
program representing California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
. The team currently competes in the Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
of the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division I. The Matadors' current head coach is Bobby Braswell
Bobby Braswell
Bobby Braswell, an American college basketball coach; currently the head coach for Cal State Northridge. Braswell was named the fourth head coach in Northridge history on April 30, 1996, succeeding the retired Pete Cassidy.-Coaching career:...
.
History
Until 1972, the school and its teams were known as San Fernando Valley State CollegeSan Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
. The Matadors played their home games at local high schools until Matador Gymnasium
Matadome
Matador Gymnasium, most commonly known by its nickname the Matadome, is a 1,600 seat, indoor multi-purpose stadium on the campus of California State University, Northridge in Northridge, California.-History and renovations:...
was completed, before the start of the 1962-63 season.
Early years
San Fernando Valley State College opened in 1958, and fielded a basketball program for the 1958-59 season. The program's first head coach was Paul Thomas.The first game in SFVSC's history was a 110-45 loss to Chapman College
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
on December 1, 1958. The fledgling team would lose again to Westmont
Westmont College
Westmont offers 26 majors, including: alternative major, art, biology, chemistry, communication studies, computer science, economics and business, education program, engineering physics, English, history, European studies, kinesiology, liberal studies, mathematics, modern languages , music,...
eight days later. They broke through for the first win of the program's history on December 13, a 73-64 triumph over La Verne
University of La Verne
The University of La Verne is a private research university located in La Verne, California . Founded in 1891, the university is composed of the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business & Public Management, College of Education and Organizational Leadership, College of Law, and a Regional...
. They would go on to finish their inaugural season with a record of 3-13.
The Matadors showed some improvement over the next two seasons, and joined the CCAA
California Collegiate Athletic Association
The California Collegiate Athletic Association or CCAA is an intercollegiate athletic conference in the Division II of the NCAA. All of its current members are public universities, and all except for UC San Diego are members of the California State University system.It was founded in December 1938...
in 1961. Matador Gymnasium opened on November 30, 1962, with a 69-59 defeat to Pepperdine
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
. Two consecutive last-place finishes in the CCAA resulted in Thomas's dismissal at the end of the 1962-63 season.
From 1959-62, Jim Malkin scored 1301 points for the SFVSC. He would remain the school's all-time leading scorer until 1994.
1960–1971: The Jerry Ball era
Thomas's replacement as head coachCoach (basketball)
Basketball coaching is the act of directing and strategizing the behaviour of a basketball team or individual basketball player. Basketball coaching typically encompasses the improvement of individual and team offensive and defensive skills, as well as overall physical conditioning.Coaching is...
was Jerry Ball, who had been an assistant under Thomas. Ball showed immediate progress, taking the team to a 9-17 record in 1963-64, a six-game improvement over Thomas's final season. He would guide the Matadors to their first-ever winning season, finishing 18-8 in 1964-65. SFVSU would win their first conference championship under Ball, finishing 7-1 in the CCAA in 1970-71. Ball left the school after this season.
Ball's top player was Jerry Joseph, who played for the Matadors from 1967 to 1970. Joseph ended his collegiate career with 1204 points and 807 rebounds. He is still the all-time leading rebounder in school history.
1971: Success under Cassidy
Ball was replaced by Pete Cassidy, an SFVSC assistant coach who was a player during the program's first two seasons. Cassidy would pick up where Ball left off, finishing 16-9 and tied for first in the CCAA. For the next five seasons, Northridge would be mired in mediocrity. However, player Paul McCracken, a high-flying ace later played in the NBA. Coach Cassidy is one of the winningest coaches in Division II history.In the 1977-78 season, things took off for the Matadors. Led by Division II All-Americans Terry Miller and Larry Singleton, and Chuck Evans the team would finish 22-7 and win the CCAA title. CSUN would make their first postseason appearance, hosting the Division II Western Regional
NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship
The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship is an annual championship tournament for colleges and universities that are members of NCAA Division II, a grouping of schools in the United States that are generally smaller than the higher-profile institutions of Division I...
, but losing to San Diego
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
70-67 in the regional final. This game set the Matadome attendance record of 3,100 fans, which has not been broken and will likely never be broken, as the gym now holds just 1,600 people. During this season, the Matadors also achieved their first national ranking, ending the regular season ranked 7th in the Division II poll.
The following season, Cassidy's squad notched another 20-win season and another CCAA title led by All-American Chuck Evans. Once again, they were eliminated from the NCAA Western Regional by San Diego. Over the next five years, CSUN would have four winning seasons, but not reach the postseason.
That changed in 1984-85, when the Matadors finished 20-10, winning the CCAA and reaching the NCAA West Regional, where they were eliminated by Cal State Hayward
California State University, East Bay
California State University, East Bay is a public university located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The university, as part of the 23-campus California State University system, offers over 100 areas of study...
.
1990: The move to Division I
Cal State Northridge moved its athletics program, including basketball, to Division I starting with the 1990-91 season. The first season ended with a forgettable 8-20 record. In 1994, Andre Chevalier broke Malkin's 32-year-old scoring record, but it was of little help. CSUN originally independent, without a conference, before joining the fledgling American West ConferenceAmerican west conference
The American West Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States from 1993 to 1996. It consisted of schools in California and Utah...
. The Matadors never won more than 11 games in any of their first six seasons in Division I.
1996–present: The Braswell era
Northridge finally found a solid conference affiliation in 1996, joining the Big Sky ConferenceBig Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
. Cassidy was replaced by Bobby Braswell, a Northridge alum who was previously an assistant coach at Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. Braswell brought with him an up-tempo, high-pressure style of play that has kept the Matadors among the national leaders in steals
Steal (basketball)
In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally causes a turnover by his positive, aggressive action. This can be done by deflecting and controlling, catching, or batting to a teammate a pass or dribble of an offensive player...
and turnovers forced
Turnover (basketball)
In basketball, a turnover occurs when a player from one team gives possession to a member of the opposing team by losing the ball. This can result from the ball being stolen, the player making mistakes such as stepping out or throwing the ball out of bounds, or committing a violation or committing...
during his tenure. The turnaround was immediate, as CSUN went 14-15 and reached the Big Sky Tournament championship game, falling just short of an NCAA berth in an 82-79 loss to Montana.
Braswell took the program to even further heights, going 20-10 in the 1999-2000 season, and finally breaking through with a 22-10 season that saw the Matadors win the Big Sky regular season and tournament championships and make their first appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament
2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 13, 2001 with the play-in game, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in...
. This team was led by Honorable Mention All-American Brian Heinle, who is the school's all-time scoring leader with 1641 points, and Markus Carr, who led the nation in assists that year and holds the school record with 767 for his career.
Northridge left the Big Sky to join the Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
in 2001. CSUN reached the Big West Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
Big West Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
The Big West Men's Basketball Tournament is the conference championship tournament in basketball for the Big West Conference. It is a single-elimination tournament and seeding is based on regular season records. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I...
finals in 2003-04 after shocking 23rd-ranked Utah State
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
in the semi-finals. Led by Ian Boylan, who holds CSUN records for three-pointers
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
and steals, they finished 18-13 in 2004-05. In 2008, they tied for first place in the Big West Conference. In 2009, the Matadors were selected as the pre-season favorite to win the Big West. On March 14, 2009 the Matadors beat University of Pacific in the Big West Tournament Championship game at the Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim Convention Center
The Anaheim Convention Center is a major convention center in Anaheim, California. It is located across from the Disneyland Resort on Katella Avenue. Much of the Anaheim Convention Center has been renovated in recent years with state-of-the-art facilities...
to make it to the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009-Qualifying teams:-Brackets:Results to date * – Denotes overtime periodAll times in U.S. EDT....
for the second time in the school's history.
As Cal State Northridge celebrated its 50th anniversary, the Matador men's basketball team played well. In one of the most dramatic, high-energized games in school history, Cal State Northridge recorded a 71-66 overtime victory over Pacific in the title game of the Big West Conference tournament. Following the game, several hundred Matador fans stormed the court to congratulate the team. Rodrique Mels, who scored 23 points in the championship game against Pacific, was named tournament MVP. Mels also scored a career-high 28 points the previous night in the semifinals against UC Santa Barbara. Tremaine Townsend, who grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds against the Tigers, was also named to the all-tournament team. Coach Braswell's overall record at CSUN is 205-180.
2009 NCAA tournament
In the NCAA first round game, the 15th seeded Matadors were heavy underdogs against the 2nd seeded Memphis Tigers. As the Matadors entered the arena from the locker room, (being officially welcomed by the announcer) they were greeted with only a few cheers from their small fanbase. The Memphis Tigers came out early and took over the Matadors entrance. As the game got underway, the Matadors, playing in Kansas City, Missouri at the Sprint Center, hit a three-pointer to start the scoring. The Matadors trailed by only two points at the half. Continuing to surprise, CSUN stuck with Memphis throughout the second half as well. With approximately ten minutes left in the game, the Matadors hit a three pointer that brought the capacity crowd to its feet and gave them a five point lead. With about three minutes left, the Tigers hit a three pointer that put them up five. As Northridge brought the ball up, the Tigers stole it and made another shot. The Matadors lost by 11 points (81-70).External links
- Cal State Northridge Athletics - official site
- Cal State Northridge Matadors page at ESPN.com
- BobbyBraswell.com - official site
- Bobby Braswell photo #1
- Bobby Braswell photo #2
