After playing six of its first eight...

After playing six of its first eight games on the road, the Cal State Northridge men’s basketball team is happy to be home.

The Matadors (5-3) begin a four-game homestand tonight with a nonconference matchup against St. Francis College (4-3) of New York.

Northridge split two games away from home last week, defeating Oral Roberts, 76-74, and losing at Texas-El Paso, 93-82. Northridge was 3-3 in nonconference road games, including impressive victories at Fresno State and Oregon.

Northridge hosts San Jose State on Thursday and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Sunday. The Matadors open Big Sky Conference play Jan. 6 against visiting Northern Arizona before returning to the road for a Jan. 8 game at Idaho State.

“I’m really proud of this team,” Coach Bobby Braswell said after the loss to UTEP. “Anytime you go on the road and play two games, you hope for a split and that’s what we got. We’ve faced some tough teams.”

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Northridge was tabbed to finish third in the Big Sky in a preseason poll of coaches and media.

Considering their performance so far, the Matadors might be considered the team to watch.

Northern Arizona, predicted to finish second, dropped to 4-5 after losing to Oregon, 91-54, last week. Northridge defeated the Ducks at Oregon, 79-77, two weeks ago.

Weber State was tabbed to repeat as champions. The Wildcats improved to 6-3 with an 86-73 victory over Utah State.

UTEP assistant Eddie Hill, after the Miners’ 92-83 victory over Northridge last week, called the Matadors the team to beat in the Big Sky.

“If they’re not the top team in their league at the end of the season, I’ll be shocked,” Hill said.

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Northridge stages its only basketball doubleheader of the season tonight. The Northridge women’s team plays Towson State (2-6) in a nonconference game at 5 before the men play St. Francis at 7.