Titans Will Replace Anteaters in Freedom Bowl Basketball

The Cal State Fullerton basketball team is in the Freedom Bowl Basketball Classic this year and UC Irvine is out.

Don Andersen, executive director of the Orange County Sports Assn., said Monday he has a meeting this morning with Fullerton officials to complete details.

“We don’t know who else will be in it yet, but Fullerton will be there,” Andersen said.

As for Irvine, Andersen said Athletic Director Dan Guerrero told him that scheduling commitments would force the Anteaters to miss this year’s tournament after being in the event for seven years.

“We’re going to talk to both (Fullerton and Irvine) about rotating every year,” Andersen said.

As for the rest of this year’s field, Andersen hopes to have some things in place soon.

“We’d like to bring in at least one real big, nationally ranked team like Georgetown,” Andersen said. “There has been some indication that Georgetown might be interested in coming back.”

The Hoyas won last winter’s Freedom Bowl Classic, defeating Irvine in a sold-out game at the Bren Center. Hawaii-Pacific, NAIA champions, and Southern California College also were involved.

This year’s tournament is Dec. 3-4 in Anaheim Arena.

“We’re glad to be in it, especially with the fact that it’s going to be played in the new arena,” said Bill Shumard, Fullerton athletic director. “It’s going to give us visibility there. We’re involved in co-hosting a Division I basketball tournament in Orange County--that’s a good spot for us. We’re glad to be in it.”

Although Fullerton’s schedule is not completed, the Titans have tentatively set nonconference home games against Cal State Northridge, Oklahoma Baptist and Northern Iowa. Tentative nonconference road games are at St. Mary’s, Colorado and Colorado State.