CSUN NOTEBOOK: STARTING WITH STYLE.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. - Ben Sullivan sure knows how to start a college career in style.

The Cal State Northridge freshman center was every bit the esteemed recruit he was billed in CSUN's 69-65 season-opening loss Friday at Portland State.

Sullivan, who played in front of family and friends who live in nearby Lake Oswego, knocked down his first two shots, both 3-pointers. He had three rebounds, one block and one steal in 23 minutes.

``I felt good,'' Sullivan said. ``They recruited me to shoot. I was just trying to contribute and hopefully I'll continue to shoot well.''

If he does, he should crack the starting lineup soon. But as CSUN coach Bobby Braswell always says, the best thing about freshmen is when they become sophomores. That must've been going through his mind when Sullivan committed both of his turnovers within a one-minute span late in the first half.

Sullivan was making a move with his back to the basket when he took one step too many. On CSUN's next possession, the ball bounced off his foot and went out of bounds.

During the next timeout, Sullivan went to the bench, looked down at his feet and just kept shaking his head.

``I was thinking, `In practice, those are my moves,' '' Sullivan said. ``I was making them and finishing them. But I was hyper, and I made extra mistakes. I dribbled a ball off my foot. I was thinking, `What's going on?' ''

Sullivan has been compared to another Oregon center who played for Braswell, Brian Heinle. He became CSUN's career scoring leader and led CSUN to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2000.

Heinle had impressive shooting range for a center. Sullivan has that range, too. His nine points were all on 3-pointers. But he had no offensive rebounds.

``He did some good things, but I don't think he rebounded the ball well enough for us,'' Braswell said. ``He'll be a good one for us.''

--Tapping Oregon: CSUN plays in the University of Oregon's John Thompson Foundation Challenge today and Monday. Braswell was an assistant at Oregon from 1992 to 1996. He made plenty of connections with high school coaches and still cashes in on those. He has two Oregon players on his roster - Sullivan and Dan Read. Of the four Oregon players that have played for Braswell at CSUN, three are post players.

``Oregon has been good to us,'' Braswell said. ``We're fortunate we can go back and get some quality players. Fortunately, most of the big guys have done well for us.

``A lot of coaches know me and they know we've built a program. It's intriguing for them because they can move out of the state but at the same time not go too far.''

CSUN shocked Oregon with a 79-77 win at McArthur Court in 1999.

``I always enjoy playing in Oregon,'' Braswell said. ``I have so many friends and family there, and it's good for our players. It's good for recruiting.''

--Lots of Luke: If you don't know who Luke Ridnour and Luke Jackson are, all it takes is a Sunday drive through Oregon. The Oregon guards are featured on billboards with the saying, ``Luke 2 Luke.''

Oregon is ranked 10th in the AP poll and ninth in the ESPN/USA Today poll. The Ducks won the Pacific-10 Conference last year. Freddie Jones might be gone but the Lukes remain. They scored a combined 56 points in an exhibition game this season and would be quite a task for CSUN to defend, if both teams win today and meet on Monday.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

BEN SULLIVAN

He launched his CSUN career with consecutive 3-point baskets on his first two shots

Box:

CSUN vs. JACKSONVILLE