McNaull Is a Perfect Fit for His Big Role at Long Beach

Think those basketball big guys live the life, huh?

Just tower over the opposition, swat a few shots, dunk a few balls, revel in the applause and call it a night, the misconception goes.

If only it were that easy.

True, Long Beach State senior center Joe McNaull received much praise from coaches, teammates and fans for his 16-point, 16-rebound performance in the 49ers’ 79-70 Big West Conference victory over Cal State Fullerton.

However, the big numbers by “Big Joe” came by big effort.

The Titans employed a sagging 2-3 zone defense to try and slow McNaull, who is every inch and pound of 6 feet 10 and 255. Yet despite being surrounded, harassed and often hurried, McNaull showed the Titans who was boss.

“It was a battle,” McNaull said. “We figured they would come out in a zone because (UC) Irvine did that to us in our last game (a 78-68 loss), but this was the best we’ve moved the ball in our zone offense this season.”

McNaull certainly did his share, making eight of 10 field-goal attempts. His variety of spin moves, turnaround jump shots and power drives left the Titans off-balance and out of luck.

“He’s a big-time player,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “They did a nice job getting the ball down low to him, and when he gets that type of position he’s going score on anybody.”

Starting point guard Rasul Salahuddin and reserve Tye Mays continually found McNaull near the basket. Salahuddin had 11 assists, Mays had three assists and helped draw at least a little attention from his big buddy by scoring 13 points and making two of four three-point attempts.

“Me and Rasul kept on getting the ball down low to Joe,” Mays said. “Joe was hot and we kept finding him.

“Joe was really working. It seems liked Joe scored every time he touched the ball.”

A transfer from San Diego State, McNaull entered the game averaging 8.1 points and a team-leading 6.3 rebounds. McNaull last played this well in a 69-64 Big West victory over Nevada at Nevada on Jan. 11, scoring 18 points with 12 rebounds and three blocked shots.

“Joe is catching the ball, he’s finishing (plays), he’s defensive rebounding,” Long Beach Coach Seth Greenberg said. “Joe has been very, very, effective.”

McNaull also gets the edge in the individual battle of big men. Fullerton center Winston Peterson scored 21 points and grab 14 rebounds, but he only made seven of 20 from the field. Moreover, McNaull handled his counterpart without help while Peterson received assistance from every Titan not on the bench.

“He’s a big, strong, physical player,” McNaull said of Peterson. “We really went at it.”