CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE AND MASTER’S: TWO TEAMS HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION COLLIDE TODAY : CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE

The outlook for the Matadors was bright this season. Then they started 1-7. In an interview with Times staff writer Mike Hiserman, Coach Pete Cassidy shows he hasn’t lost hope or his sense of humor.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

Cassidy: “At this point in time? The fact I haven’t been hung in effigy.”

WORST MOMENT

Northridge was outscored, 30-2, during an 11 1/2-minute stretch against San Francisco State.

“The last 15 minutes of that game is something I’ve never seen anywhere, anytime. We were dominating, then all of a sudden they hit a couple of three-pointers, we had a couple of turnovers, the crowd got into it, they pressed us, and we made a bunch more turnovers. We just didn’t have enough timeouts. I used them all and there were still about nine minutes left. I would had never believed it. You’d never convince me it could happen to us, but unfortunately I witnessed it.”

WORST GAME

Northridge led San Francisco State, 42-27, with 14 1/2 minutes left. The Matadors lost, 68-55.

“We outrebounded San Francisco, 34-16, they shot 39% and we still lost. You have to ask how. Then you see 26 turnovers. That was a total giveaway game. That team could not do that to us again.”

BEST GAME

Northridge’s only win was over Hayward, 71-58, when the Matadors had 21 turnovers.

“I just don’t remember all those turnovers. We played pretty well. There were a lot of traveling calls. I think (Paul) Hobus had five and (Todd) Bowser had five, just on traveling.

SILVER LINING

“I can’t think of anything. I hope there is, but I don’t think anything is gained. They say losing teaches a lesson, but winning teaches lessons, too. I’d rather learn that way.”

MOOD OF THE TEAM

“It’s hard to say this week. We’ve been in finals. They’ve all been space cadets this week. We have a lot of guys who take their studies seriously. That was one of the problems we had against San Francisco when we hit the wall there. About five guys had stayed up until 3 in the morning studying the night before. I understand their industriousness, but I would hope they’d have better timing next time.

“I don’t see them feeling up at all. I’d be disappointed if we were. We have this one game on the road and then five games at home. We have a chance to win those and get back to .500. Then we can go from there.”

MOOD ON CAMPUS

“It’s been finals time around here so basketball hasn’t been on many peoples’ minds. Then there will be break and no one will be around. I hope to be winning by the time they come back.”

TEAM SHOOTING

Northridge is making only 43.4% of its shots.

“Yeah, it’s coming up, isn’t it? You can look at it as the glass being half empty or half full. We were doing worse. It’s coming up. I prefer to look at it that way.”

3-POINT SHOOTING

Northridge is shooting 36.1%, while opponents are at 49.1%.

“The 49.1% catches my eye. We’ve probably lost three games because of three-point shots. Westmont just has very good shooters and we missed assignments and (Danny) Camp went five for eight.

“The psychological boost that a team gets every time one of those is made is hard to measure. I think we could have good shooting team, but I’m not sure we have the kind of shooter that can put in a three-pointer with any consistency. I’d just as soon we forget about it. I don’t think it’s realistic for any of us to even think about, but I go out for practice and see everybody out at the three-point line practicing. I kick their butts out of there and tell them to get in there in the key and shoot from a distance where they have a chance of making it.”

BEST POSTGAME QUOTE

“There is very little you can say. I remember Coach Wooden said years ago he didn’t like post-mortems after a loss. He didn’t have to go through it much. I can’t think anything you could say to them in a humorous way that could be beneficial. It’s better a few hours later or the next day. I have a hard time being humorous when we’re losing.”

THE OUTLOOK

“I have to have high hopes. The injury problem that has plagued us has been unbelievable. Right now we may have very serious viral problem. Carl Cooper and Troy (Dueker) both left practice sick today. That’s excuse-making I know, but it’s real and it’s something to recognize. Progress is always hampered and slowed when you have injuries. I feel that if we stay healthy we should be competitive.”

TODAY’S GAME

Master’s is 0-10.

“I keep thinking every game we’re going to get well. We haven’t been well all year. We may be missing three starters on Saturday. (Paul) Drecksel hurt his knee in last two minutes of Hayward game. (Pat) Bolden went down with an ankle injury in the first nine minutes against San Francisco, and (Troy) Dueker is sick.

“Drecksel and Bolden haven’t worked out all week. They did some light running on Thursday. We’ll see if they’ll be ready and in what capacity. I just don’t know what we can do other than live through it until conference starts. I’m tired of makeshift lineups. You can’t groom a lineup like that.”