Matadors Might Have Talent for a Roadshow This Season

NORTHRIDGE — The road kill from last season has resuscitated itself, learned to look both ways before passing the basketball and once again is set to venture into hostile gymnasiums.

Cal State Northridge posted a disappointing 12-16 record, but the season was only half bad. The Matadors were 7-4 at home.

And so a new season begins with more challenges on the road. Northridge visits Long Beach State at 2:05 p.m. today at The Pyramid and travels Tuesday to No. 8 Tennessee.

By design, this nonconference schedule is not quite as arduous as last season’s.

“We never really developed confidence or chemistry and some of that was because of the way we started,” Coach Bobby Braswell said.

Last season opened with consecutive road losses to Arizona State and Oregon State, and the only two victories in the Matadors’ first eight games came at home.

By the time Big Sky Conference play began, the Matadors were no more cohesive than they had been coming out of training camp. There were injuries, suspensions and questionable attitudes.

“This team has a whole new approach,” Braswell said. “That will be the biggest difference.”

Northridge is taller, deeper and quicker. But greater unselfishness could be the biggest bonus.

“Last year some guys seemed more concerned with how many touches and shots they were getting than with how the team did,” said Brian Heinle, a sophomore center. “This year that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Six players scored in double figures in a 103-85 exhibition victory on Tuesday, and point guards Jason Crowe and Markus Carr each had nine assists.

“If we play hard every night, it doesn’t matter who leads in scoring,” guard Greg Minor said. “It could be a different guy every game.”

Minor scored 17 and 19 in exhibition victories, leading the team each time. But he is a reserve whose primary role is to spark the offense with three-point shooting.

The starters plan to spread the wealth.

Forward Rico Harris, a 6-foot-9 transfer from L.A. City College with a deft touch inside and out, will get his share of points.

So will Heinle, forwards Andre Larry and Jeff Parris, and guards Carl Holmes and Derrick Higgins.

“You can never have too much depth,” Braswell said. “It shouldn’t cause chemistry problems. I don’t see that happening at Duke, Kansas or North Carolina. Everybody will be happy when the program is winning.”

Braswell, 36, is spreading his talents around. He has served as Northridge’s administrator in charge of athletics since Paul Bubb’s resignation as athletic director went into effect Nov. 6.

“There is a need for leadership in the athletic department that I am willing to step in and fill, but my first priority is my basketball team, and I’m not taking anything away from that,” he said.