CSUN Basketball’s Late Show Finds a Respectable Response

On television late Friday, Brooklyn McLinn and Andre Chevalier watched legions of vociferous and faithful fans raise the roof at some of the nation’s most renowned hoop havens.

They saw the scenes at Kentucky, North Carolina and Massachusetts as the clock struck 12, igniting an annual college basketball ritual: Midnight Madness.

And they wondered what would be in store for them, three hours later, when Cal State Northridge started NCAA-approved practice inside Matador Gym.

Northridge had never ushered in a season with such hysteria, but now the invitations--many hand-delivered by players--were out.

“Instead of Midnight Madness, I kind of expected it might be Midnight Us,” said McLinn, a senior guard. Therefore, he was pleasantly surprised.

A crowd of 470 showed to see the Matadors be introduced, lope through a few drills and scrimmage against one another.

“We can’t complain (about the turnout),” said Chevalier, the team’s top returning scorer. “It’s not bad for our first one.”

After witnessing some sloppy play in the scrimmage, Coach Pete Cassidy could have complained. But he didn’t.

“These guys haven’t practiced, I hope people realize that,” he said. “This was for show. At 11 o’clock, it’s for go.”

Indeed, only 10 hours after “madness” concluded at Northridge, the team was scheduled to meet for more serious drills.

The Matadors will play an exhibition game against a team from Brisbane, Australia, on Nov. 19 at Matador Gym. Northridge will open the regular season Nov. 26 against Stanford in the first round of the Stanford Invitational.