Northridge Takes Flier in the Big Sky

Wonder how Cal State Northridge is going to fit into the scheme of Big Sky Conference basketball?

So does Bobby Braswell, the Matadors’ first-year coach.

“The only thing I’ve seen [of the Big Sky] is watching scores on television,” he said. “I’m interested to see what our conference is really going to be like.”

Braswell will get his first clue tonight, when Northridge plays its inaugural Big Sky game against Portland State at 7:05 in Matador Gym.

The conference opener marks the start to what Braswell calls “the second season.” He wasn’t totally disappointed when looking back at “the first season,” a 4-6 record in nonconference games.

“I do still think we are moving up, still headed in the right direction even though we lost to Iowa [on Sunday by 25 points],” Braswell said.

“I think our kids are doing what we are asking them to do. They are still playing hard. And I think we are a better basketball team than we were at the beginning of the season.”

Northridge has a chance to get off to a good start in the Big Sky. Portland State (2-6) and Saturday’s opponent, Eastern Washington (4-6), were both picked to finish in the bottom half of the conference.

“We have an opportunity to do something good here at home,” Braswell said. “If we can go out and compete and play hard . . . we have a chance to win two games this week.”

The games are critical because next week Northridge faces its toughest two-game road swing of the season at Montana and Montana State.

Montana (8-4) is the consensus preseason favorite, and the Grizzlies have been the conference’s best team so far. Montana has beaten Washington State, Long Beach State and Gonzaga.

Montana State, defending Big Sky regular-season and tournament champion, also is considered a contender. The Bobcats (6-6) boast the conference’s leading scorer--sophomore Nate Holmstadt, 19.1 points--but the team’s hopes were damaged last weekend.

Power forward Damon Ollie, a graduate of North Hollywood High, broke his right foot and will be out for eight weeks. Ollie was averaging 13.6 points and 7.4 rebounds.