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

Can a college team win with a 6-3 center? Master’s hasn’t. Coach Randy Stem told Times staff writer Gordon Monson he just hopes his 0-10 team doesn’t embarrass itself at home against CSUN at 2 p.m.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

Pete Coeler’s 41 points at Redlands .

Stem: “But Thursday night against Southern Utah, he made 3 of 17 shots.”

BAD MOMENTS

“We’ve had a lot, but when you’re playing freshmen and sophomores, you’re not going to win many games.”

WORST GAME

A 98-70 loss at home against Wayland Baptist or 101-73 loss at home against Southern Utah State, take your pick.

“We fell apart in the second half against Wayland. They shot 70%, we shot 32%.

“Southern Utah pounded the ball inside. We had 26 turnovers. We didn’t even play hard. That really bothers me.”

FIELD-GOAL SHOOTING

Master’s starters shooting percentages: Phil Hahn 46%; Dave Knechtel 40%; Rocky Shipes 48%; Scott Goff 54%; Pete Coeler 41%.

“We thought Coeler, Shipes and Hahn would all shoot 50%. We’ve got to get those guys up there. Knechtel, well, bless his heart. He’s a 6-3 center. You don’t expect him to shoot well. He can really lay a brick up there now and then.”

BEST GAME

79-70 loss at home against Biola.

“We haven’t played a 40-minute game yet. We played 30 minutes against Biola and we were leading by six at the half. But they scored the first 12 points in the second half.”

BEST QUOTE

“I can’t imagine this lasting much longer. We’re gonna get there. I don’t know when, but we’re gonna get there.”

Translation: No hope in sight.

SILVER LINING

“After this, I don’t think our guys will be intimidated by anyone. Sure, we’re 0-10, but we’ve played tough teams.”

MOOD OF THE TEAM

“The players are frustrated. They just haven’t been able to put the ball in the hole. And all the teams we play are taller than we are. There’s only so much a 6-3 guy can do against guys who are 6-8 or 6-9. . . . We’ve let games get away, though, that we should’ve won. We’ve had the lead, but it’s slipped away. We’re 6-4 at halftime.”

MOOD ON CAMPUS

“It seems like everyone has the answer when you’re in a slump. I heard a long time ago that the two things everybody knows how to do are: drive a car and coach. It’s easy. We’ve had a lot of suggestions from people, I just wish they could tell me what to do in situations when I have to make a decision during a game in five seconds.”

TEAM SHOOTING

Master’s is shooting 47%; opponents are hitting 53%.

“Because we don’t have a big guy inside, we knew we would live and die with the jump shot. Our goal was 52%, but we haven’t been able to sink it--especially in the second half. Thursday night, against Southern Utah, we made 53% in the first half and 26% in the second. It’s become a mental thing.”

3-POINT SHOOTING

Master’s has made 49%.

“We’re shooting better from out there than anywhere else. Inside the three-point line is where we’re having trouble. I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense. This is a crazy game.”

BEST EXCUSE

“I’m trying to build this program with a bunch of freshmen.”

THE OUTLOOK

“Man, we have to recruit a big man for next season.”

TODAY’S GAME

CSUN is 1-7.

“I’m just hoping we don’t embarrass ourselves like last year. The refs let them play last year and our guys just ducked out and didn’t play. If these guys want to go home for Christmas, they better not duck out this time.”