TONIGHT’S GAMES

NONCONFERENCE

* FLORIDA A&M; at LONG BEACH STATE

Time--7:30.

There has been almost a month of trial and lots of errors, but the process comes together tonight in a game that counts when Long Beach State plays Florida A&M; at the Pyramid in the opener. For the 49ers, the game will be something of a prelude because they will be without Andrew Betts, their 7-1 center and “our best frontline player,” Coach Wayne Morgan said. Long Beach has never had a player taller than Betts, a senior from Ibstock, England, who is a transfer from C.W. Post University, and who becomes eligible Dec. 20. Without Betts, the 49ers have Ian Milley, a 6-10 freshman, in the middle. He will have his hands full with Florida A&M;’s Jerome James, a 7-1 center who was All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference a year ago when he averaged 16.1 points and nine rebounds. The Rattlers, coached by Mickey Clayton, were 8-19 a year ago. Milley will be joined up front by freshman Grant Stone, and by D’Cean Bryant, who, with three starts a year ago, is the most experienced 49er. Quincy Nuckles, who has started one game and is the team’s only other senior, is the only other returnee for Long Beach State. He starts at off guard tonight, and Antrone Lee, a 6-7 transfer from Florida, who sat out last season, is the point guard.