Tournament during the 1984-85 campaign when the Matadors chalked up a 20-10 record, and finished first in the league with an 11-3 ledger. “I have a lot of warm feelings about that team,” said Cassidy. “As the season went along, we got better and better. Mike Almeido was a great kid who was our leading scorer along with Tommy Ruetten who led the team in rebounding. We also had a former Marine named Wayne Fluker who possessed great leadership qualities. We had great kids including Pat Bolden, Dale Brandsberg, Mike Lopez, Rafael Meza and Larry White.” Cassidy can talk for hours about many of the great players he coached at Cal State Northridge. Mention the names of George Robnett, Cliff Higgins, Pat Bolden, Jack Dyck and Andre Chevalier (who played for Bobby Braswell at Cleveland High School) and the positive words flow freely. “Andre could shoot the ball, played great defense and was very strong,” said Cassidy. “Robnett still holds the school record for single game rebounds (24), but he was also a player who could shoot and jump. Cliff Higgins played hard and was a good person. Pat was very athletic. Jack Dyck was a lefthander who we played at the high post. He could shoot. He was an excellent player.” In 25 years, Cassidy produced a school record 325 wins, eight top three league finishes, and coached the Matadors to three trips to the NCAA’s. “I am so proud of the many players I had the privilege to coach,” said Cassidy. “I am also grateful that I was able to do what I wanted to do.” As Cal State Northridge begins another season of basketball, current head coach Bobby Braswell has a simple reminder. “The 2009-10 season promises to be a year filled with excitement and new opportunities. .”
Matadors battled back from a 39-32 halftime deficit. March 10, 2001 CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 73 EASTERN WASHINGTON 58 The Matadors earned their first trip to the NCAA Tournament as a Division I member with a 15-point victory over Eastern Washington in the championship game of the Big Sky Conference Tournament at The Matadome. Senior Brian Heinle, the tournament MVP, dominated the game with 21 points (10-for-13 from the free throw line) while Markus Carr added 13 points. March 16, 2001 #12 KANSAS 99 CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 75 Cal State Northridge played in its
first Division I NCAA Tournament game. The Matadors faced a powerful Jayhawk team that included future NBA players Nick Collison, Drew Gooden, and Kirk Hinrich at the Midwest Regional in Dayton, Ohio. Four Matador players scored in double figures led by Jeff Parris, who scored 18 points and grabbed ten rebounds off the bench. John Burrell added 18 points. November 20, 2005 CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 81 USC 76 (OVERTIME) In the season opener, the Matadors stunned the favored Trojans at the Sports Arena as Mike Efevberha scored a game-high 20 points. Jonathan Heard added 15 points in 28 minutes off the bench. Cal State Northridge jumped to a 42-32
halftime lead, but the Trojans outscored the visiting Matadors, 3828, in the second half. However, Cal State Northridge dominated play in the five minute overtime, 11-6. Efevberha and Jayme Miller each collected a team-high five rebounds. November 15, 2006 CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 159 REDLANDS 97 The Matadors shattered the school scoring record with 159 points in a 62-point win over Redlands. Cal State Northridge not only shattered the previous Northridge record for most points in a game (123 points vs USIU), but also broke the school record for most points by two teams combined (256). Other school records set in the win included field
goals in a game (62) and assists (43). The Matadors’ scoring total also broke the Big West record for most points scored in a non-conference game. Cal State Northridge also equaled the NCAA record for assists in a regular game with 43 (TCU, 1998) and the two teams combined for 65 assists in regulation, which tied the record set by Dayton-UCF in 1988. March 14, 2009 CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 71 PACIFIC 66 (OVERITME) The Matadors, faced with adversity both on and off the court, played like champions in one of the most dramatic, highly-energized games in school history. Northridge recorded a 71-66 overtime victory over Pacific in the title game of the Big West
Tournament giving the school its second berth in the NCAA Tournament. March 19, 2009 MEMPHIS 81 CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 70 The Matadors captured the hearts of the nation as unheralded Cal State Northridge faced the daunting task of competing against one of the nation’s elite teams, the powerful Memphis Tigers. From the opening tip, it was obvious CSUN would not be pushed around as the Matadors held a 9-2 lead just two minutes in. CSUN fought hard from start-to-finish but the power of Memphis prevailed over the the pride and passion of Matador Basketball.