CSUN BASKETBALL: NO MADNESS, NO BULL FOR MATADORS HOOPS.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

There were no Midnight Madness dunks this season.

All was quiet in the wee hours today at the Northridge Gym. Cal State Northridge players lobbied for midnight practice - when college basketball teams could officially start the season - but CSUN coach Bobby Braswell declined.

It's not because they didn't think it would be well-received. The Matadors are the preseason favorites to win the Big Sky Conference. It's partly because expectations are so high that Braswell decided to start the season with a 1 p.m. practice today.

``We decided to go away from that because in the past, we found that it threw the guys' clocks off,'' Braswell said. ``Getting up in the morning and having a full practice Saturday, they were dragging the whole week. The guys wanted to do it, but I had to make an executive decision. It probably wasn't too popular.

``And one or two injuries can change your year very quickly. I don't want to take a chance with these guys dunking and trying to impress people.''

They've already impressed and haven't even stepped on the court. CSUN returns four starters from last year's 20-10 team, which was more than enough to warrant top billing.

The CSUN women's team, with one returning starter, is ranked in the top three in both Big Sky polls. Montana is the favorite to win conference and CSUN was picked to finish second (media) and third (by the coaches).

``I was very surprised,'' coach Frozena Jerro said. ``I didn't think we'd be any lower than fifth. For the media, we were as high as second. I figured Montana would get the first slot and I knew Idaho State would be tough and Weber State, too. I guess it's a compliment.

``Of the kids we brought in, none of them were highly recruited. Maybe they think we've got some sleepers. And they knew about Kristi Rose. They're probably anticipating she'll make an impact.''

Rose, a transfer from the University of Utah, sat out last season.

So did John Burrell, a transfer from UNLV. Burrell is expected to complement the already potent lineup of veterans Markus Carr, Carl Holmes, Brian Heinle and Jeff Parris. They expect nothing less than a conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

``I think the coaches obviously felt that way because of our schedule,'' Holmes said. ``We have a very tough preseason schedule with USC, UCLA and UNLV. I think they feel this is the season we could go all the way. I think the only thing that's holding us back from what we need to do would be injuries.''

Heinle, named the preseason conference player of the year by The Sporting News, couldn't wait to begin practice today. Heinle, a 6-foot-9 center who's already receiving attention from NBA scouts, hasn't been able to forget CSUN's overtime loss to Northern Arizona in the Big Sky Conference championship game last season.

``I would've rather started practicing the day after that game,'' Heinle said. ``The offseason is something you have to go through. There were a lot of nights where I didn't get a lot of sleep. It's finally here.''

Heinle averaged 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while Parris added 11.9, Carr 9.0 and Holmes 8.4. Carr was among the nation's leaders in assists, averaging 6.9 per game.

On the women's side, guard LaShaunda Fowler averaged 6.2 points per game. She'll be joined by newcomers Rose (6-2) and Ebony Davis, a 6-4 center. CSUN's new height in the frontcourt undoubtedly helped in its preseason ranking.

``Normally, we're very perimeter-oriented,'' Jerro said. ``That's because we haven't had anybody like Kristi Rose since I've been here.''

The women's team practices at 9:30 a.m. today at the Northridge Gym and the men follow at 1 p.m.