CSUN at Long Beach State (-4.5) - 2:00pm Pacific - Game #523-524

Long Beach has played improved basketball over their last six games.  After gaining confidence with three straight non-conference wins, they then lost by only 2 points at UCSB before finally getting a very elusive conference road win at Cal Poly.  They returned home Friday night and did everything but beat conference favorite Pacific.  The 49ers led by 5 with 4:23 to play but just got out executed down the stretch.  Point guard KeJuan Johnson became eligible at the semester break and has started the last six games.  He has provided a big lift with solid all around play and floor leadership.  Head coach Reynolds has tightened his rotation in recent weeks which has kept the team's best players on the floor longer.  The team still plays full court pressure man to man defense, but have cut out a lot of the reckless traps and presses that enabled opponents to light up the scoreboard early in the season.

 

CSUN has failed just about every test thrown at them in recent weeks.  Since beating a USC team that clearly was not ready in their season opener, CSUN has only beaten two Division 1-A opponents, Illinois State by 4, and UC Riverside.  Both games were in Northridge.  The Matadors have lost four straight road games by an average of 16.5 points.  They are coming off an emotional loss at UC Irvine which was a much anticipated homecoming for leading scorer Mike Efevberha who started his career at Irvine but was dismissed for theft of a backpack.  I am sure he and some of his teammates played their heart out in that game and it will be difficult for them to get up for Long Beach State a day and a half later.  CSUN already has suspect point guard play but may have to play this without starter Bakari Altheimer who left Friday's game with a concussion and is listed as day to day.

 

Long Beach lost both meetings vs CSUN last year including a 2 point heartbreaker in Northridge in most recent matchup.  They will be looking for some revenge today.  Even with the loss to Pacific, LBSU has won 11 of their last 13 home games dating back to last season.  There is no Big West team they can not beat at The Pyramid.  Long Beach can ill afford two straight in conference home losses and will be primed for a big effort.  This is a great spot for them to knock off CSUN.  Give the points.

 

RAS Official Play:  Long Beach State -4.5  1 UNIT