PREVIEW: CSUN: A NEW DAY ON COURT MATADORS' SEASON MARKED BY CHANGE.Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer There are five freshmen, 12 newcomers, three new coaches, one returning starter and a new conference. Yet coach Bobby Braswell Bobby Braswell, an American basketball coach, is 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. , who led the Cal State Northridge men's basketball team to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament NCAA Tournament can mean: Men's Sports
But change certainly is the theme for the 2001-02 season. And Braswell, in his sixth season, will attempt to parlay An open programming interface (API) to a service provider's network (the network operator), developed by the Parlay Group (www.parlay.org). By enabling the customer's application to talk directly to the network, it allows the end user to have greater access to network information as well these differences into his third consecutive 20-win season. ``I don't want this group to fall into the idea that this is a rebuilding year or that people won't expect us to be great,'' Braswell said. ``I don't buy that. We don't practice like that. When you think of rebuilding, you think of things being demolished de·mol·ish tr.v. de·mol·ished, de·mol·ish·ing, de·mol·ish·es 1. To tear down completely; raze. 2. To do away with completely; put an end to. 3. . You're starting from scratch and therefore you have to rebuild the structure. I don't believe we have to do that. ``The challenge with so many new guys is getting them to jell jell v. jelled, jell·ing, jells v.intr. 1. To become firm or gelatinous; congeal. See Synonyms at coagulate. 2. into a basketball team.'' The new-look Matadors open the season against the University of Nevada University of Nevada could refer to either of the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education:
Carr, the nation's assist leader last year, is the lone returning starter, at point guard. As a junior, he averaged 8.9 assists per game and ran the offense brilliantly, getting the ball to a contingent of potent players - center Brian Heinle, power forward Jeff Parris, shooting guard The Shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or off guard,[1] is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. John Burrell John Buster Burrell (born November 22, 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas) was an American football wide receiver in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Washington Redskins. He played college football for Rice University. , Marco McCain and Carl Holmes, all of whom are gone. He entertained crowds with behind-the-back, no-look passes as well. But even Carr, seemingly the only remaining constant in this season of change, will have to adapt. He'll be more of a scoring point guard, relying on his knowledge and experience. It's Carr's final season, but sometimes he probably feels as though he's starting over. He likened this team's first few practices to the ones he had as a freshman. Still, Carr isn't changing anything about his approach to this campaign. ``We're not looking to rebuild, we're looking to stay on top,'' Carr said. ``My job is to keep composure com·po·sure n. A calm or tranquil state of mind; self-possession. [From compose.] composure Noun the state of being calm or unworried Noun and keep the team together. Once I realized that, it became a lot easier. Things began to click. As long as I stay solid and keep on them, they'll work hard. They trust me.'' Carr might not play quite as many minutes as last season (32 per game) if Braswell's full-court press full-court press n. 1. Basketball An aggressive defensive strategy in which one or two players harass the ball handler in the backcourt while the rest of the team maintains a close man-to-man or zone defense. 2. runs from tipoff to the final buzzer. Braswell said he has a rotation of 10 to 12 players with which he's comfortable, anywhere from two to four more than last year. That rotation includes freshmen 5-3 guard-forward Joseph Frazier (Muir of Pasadena), 6-6 guard Ian Boylan (Norman, Okla., High) and forward Chris Davis Chris Davis is the name of a couple of people:
n. A variety of winter melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) having a greenish-yellow rind and sweet, usually salmon-pink flesh. [Origin unknown.] High). They will join returning forwards Joey Busch and Lionel Benjamin, 6-7 guard Curtis Slaughter, who redshirted last year, and junior center Dan Read. Braswell said he has more athleticism than ever - and less height - which is why the Matadors will press so much. ``We've always pressed and always mixed our defenses,'' Braswell said. ``But with this group, we feel we can pick up fullcourt and keep fullcourt pressure on people and hopefully wear them down some. That's the goal.'' Benjamin, who started eight of the final nine games, is excited about the prospects for this season. There won't be an upset win over UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX at Pauley Pavilion Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion, informally and commonly known as Pauley Pavilion, is an indoor arena located on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. It is home to the UCLA Bruins men's and women's basketball teams. The men's and women's volleyball teams also play here. this season - the teams don't play - but Benjamin believes with a strong defensive team, wins over Big West foes such as Long Beach State and University of Pacific are plausible. ``The guys we have are very athletic,'' Benjamin said. ``They're going to be playing with the same intensity we've been playing with. We're going to lock up on (defense) just like we've been doing. That's what we live and die by.'' Frazier, possibly the quickest player on the team, is a good example. He has excelled defensively - he had five steals in one exhibition game - and could start as early as Saturday. ``We're a young team, so it all depends on our mentality,'' Frazier said. ``If we really play hard, we'll get there. All it takes is a lot of heart. Everybody's gotta got·ta Informal Contraction of got to: I gotta go home. want it.'' That might be the one thing that hasn't changed. CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge TEAM OUTLOOK COACH: Bobby Braswell --Last season: Became the first coach to lead Cal State Northridge to the NCAA Tournament and had his second consecutive 20-win season. Won the school's first Big Sky Tournament with his initial recruiting class. Was rumored to be a hot coaching commodity but didn't field any offers. --What's next: Has his biggest challenge yet with just one starter and five returners back. Has his most athletic team, but five are freshmen and a rocky start is probable. Looks to lead the Matadors to another successful season in the program's first year in the Big West Conference. STARTING FIVE CENTER: Dan Read --Last season: Averaged 1.1 points and 1.2 rebounds in limited action as backup center. --What's next: Tallest player at 6-10 needs to score more and defend well in starting role. If he plays with more confidence, he can become an effective starting center. His performance is critical to team's inside presence. POWER FORWARD: Joey Busch --Last season: Posted career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds in a season- opening win over Howard but finished seventh on team in scoring at 3.9 points. Started nine games. --What's next: Needs to be one of the leading scorers and rebounders inside. Junior college transfer has one year in Braswell's system and that should translate into a more commanding presence. SMALL FORWARD: Lionel Benjamin --Last season: Seemingly came out of nowhere and started the final eight games. Had 11 points, two rebounds, two steals and a block in conference- clinching win over Eastern Washington
--What's next: Will play at small and power forward. Solid defensive player who will play a key role in the fullcourt press. The junior has the experience to be a leader on young team. SHOOTING GUARD: Curtis Slaughter --Last season: Sat out after transferring from Loyola Marymount, where he averaged 10.2 points and 3.8 rebounds. --What's next: ``Bones,'' nicknamed for his lanky lank·y adj. lank·i·er, lank·i·est Tall, thin, and ungainly. See Synonyms at lean2. lank  i·ly adv. frame, might play some backup point and shooting guard, as well as small
forward. Can create tough matchups for defenders as a 6-7 backup point
or shooting guard. Asked to knock down shots from anywhere on the floor.
POINT GUARD: Markus Carr --Last season: Finished as the nation's assist leader with 8.9 per game and had 10 against Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. Had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3 to 1. Led the team to conference title and played 32 minutes a game. --What's next: Will be asked to carry the load as he's the only returning starter. Without the weapons he had last year, he'll need to become more of a scoring point guard and play 35-40 minutes per game. Must provide leadership on and off court. KEY RESERVES Ian Boylan, Guard --Last season: Averaged 21.5 points and 6.8 rebounds as a point guard for his Norman (Okla.) High team that finished 20-5. --What's next: The 6-6 freshman is expected to play a lot and can play every position but center. Probably won't play at point this season but might in future. Braswell likens him to a taller, stronger John Burrell, who was a solid shooter and scorer last season. Quick learner. Joseph Frazier, Guard --Last season: Averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and four steals a game for Pasadena John Muir High. Ranked as fourth-best prep shooting guard on West Coast. --What's next: Shouldn't take long for Frazier to make starting lineup For the line of action figures, see . A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes . He's quick and relentless on defense. Already shown a penchant to dive for loose balls and run the floor with ease. Will play 2 or 3 guard. Expected to lead team in steals. Gene Myvett, Guard/Forward --Last season: Was a redshirt red·shirt tr.v. red·shirt·ed, red·shirt·ing, red·shirts To keep (a college or school athlete) out of varsity competition for one year in order to extend the athlete's period of eligibility. with the Matadors. Averaged 26 points and 14.6 rebounds as a senior with Palmdale's Littlerock as a senior. --What's next: The Eddie Jones lookalike has a knack for scoring. He's more of a slasher slash·er n. One that slashes. adj. Characterized by gory violence: slasher movies. slasher Noun Austral & NZ but is expected to develop his outside shot and be productive at the 3 guard. Jermar Welch, Forward --Last season: Averaged 2.8 points - with a career-high 13 against Hawaii - and two rebounds per game. Averaged eight minutes, but playing time was tough to come by with such a potent lineup. --What's next: More is expected of the fifth-year senior, especially on the defensive end. He'll get his opportunity since four starters are gone. Will be asked to be more aggressive and attack the basket. Armand Thomas, Forward --Last season: Thomas averaged 14 points and nine rebounds with Compton College and shot 57 percent from the field. --What's next: Figures to play a lot, but that will happen later rather than sooner. A high ankle sprain ankle sprain Orthopedics A stretching of the ankle ligaments and/or muscles with swelling sidelined him for most of the exhibition season. Probably strongest inside player. Chris Davis, Forward --Last season: Averaged 15 points and six rebounds for his 27-5 Crenshaw High team. First-team All-CIF selection. --What's next: Could be one of CSUN's best big men in program history. Aggressive rebounder and runs floor well but needs to learn offense to be effective contributor. INJURED in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. PLAYERS Ed Estavan, Guard --Outlook: Walk-on who might redshirt. Suffering from effects of early concussion concussion Period of nervous-function impairment that results from relatively mild brain injury, often with no bleeding in the cerebral cortex. It causes brief unconsciousness, followed by mental confusion and physical difficulties. . Can play point or shooting guard. Sidney Hampton, Guard --Outlook: Hampton has a broken left foot and probably won't be back until at least January. Good shooter. Might redshirt for second straight season. RED SHIRT Antoine Parker, Guard --Outlook: Walk-on who could be future point guard. One of the quickest CSUN players. - Jill Painter CAPTION(S): 2 boxes Box: (1) CSUN TEAM OUTLOOK (see text) (2) SCHEDULE |
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