CSUN NOTEBOOK: CSUN TAUGHT A LESSON.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Cal State Northridge coach Bobby Braswell said it's probably the best thing that could have happened to his team. A blessing in disguise, he said.

A 34-point loss?

CSUN was pummeled by Howard University 99-65 on Monday. But Braswell figures his young team - which includes five freshmen and one returning starter - only can learn from that.

The lesson must be learned quickly. CSUN (1-2) will play San Diego State tonight at Cox Arena. The Aztecs (3-2) are loaded with talent, including junior guard Tony Bland, who leads the Mountain West Conference in scoring at 22.8 points per game.

``Maybe that was exactly what we needed to understand, that we've gotta compete and play hard every day, regardless of who it is,'' Braswell said. ``I know some of the players told me, 'Coach, I didn't think we'd lose to that team.' I told my team that could be a good thing. Sometimes you need a wake-up call.''

Braswell has preached patience this season. He expected mistakes with such a young team but nothing like the effort he saw against Howard, a team that CSUN beat 90-73 last year.

Braswell teams usually are characterized by solid defenses. The Matadors allowed 99 points against Howard and 85 in a season-opening loss to Nevada. CSUN's lone win is a 101-47 victory over Dominican University.

The offense is struggling, too. The Matadors shot just 34 percent Monday and senior point guard Markus Carr, after averaging 29.5 points in his first two games, was held to five points and one assist. Carr took just six shots.

Then there's the Aztecs, who have Bland and 6-foot-9 forward Randy Holcomb to contend with. Carr played with both in summer leagues.

``We know they (Aztecs) have a lot of talent and know they'll play hard,'' Carr said. ``(Bland and Holcomb) always played hard, even in the summer. But we need to come in and worry about our offense and our defense.''

--Carr's other role: At least for a few minutes a game, Carr will play the shooting guard in order to get more shots. Braswell said Carr might play that position - with Ed Estavan running the point - for five minutes a game. Carr was playing at shooting guard and scored 15 points in CSUN's 24-4 run against Nevada.

``(Braswell) has a lot of confidence in my ability to score,'' Carr said. ``But for me, I got so used to playing (point) in this system and so used to playing a certain way that I had to make the adjustment. He knew I had the ability to score more before I did. Braswell is looking at me to lead this team.''

--On the airwaves: CSUN men's basketball games will be broadcast on the radio at KCSN (88.5-FM) and the Internet at gomatadors.com for road games but can be found only on the Internet for home games.

CSUN vs. SAN DIEGO STATE

Tipoff 7:35 p.m., at Cox Arena.

Radio/Internet 88.5-FM; www.GoMatadors.com.

CSUN (1-2) update: In coach Bobby Braswell's sixth season, the Matadors are coming off one of their worst losses, a 99-65 debacle against Howard University in Washington D.C. Senior Jermar Welch led the team with 12 points and 12 rebounds. CSUN has made a habit of slow starts and Howard took advantage, opening the game with a 16-4 run.

San Diego State (3-2) update: Junior guard Tony Bland leads the Mountain West Conference in scoring and is 20th nationally at 22.8 points per game through Monday. Bland has scored at least 20 points in all five games. The Aztecs have won seven consecutive nonconference games at Cox Arena.

- Jill Painter

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CSUN vs. SAN DIEGO STATE (see text)