Point of Honor

Markus Carr wouldn’t dare declare himself the best college point guard in Southern California, although there was a time he might have.

For others, it’s not a stretch.

Carr, a confident and flashy junior for Cal State Northridge, leads the nation with 175 assists and averages 8.3 to rank third.

Carr averaged 11.5 points and nine assists against UCLA and USC, clearly showing he belongs on the same floor as Earl Watson of the Bruins and Brandon Granville of the Trojans.

Observers point to Carr’s exceptional ball-handling ability and court generalship while crediting much of the Matadors’ success to his guiding hand. Eyes easily gravitate to Carr, often the most entertaining player on the court.

As for where he ranks, “I don’t even notice,” Carr said.

The point is, Northridge is nearing its first Big Sky Conference title and Carr--candidly cocksure--is in command.

So are the Matadors (13-8, 6-2 in the Big Sky), tied for first with Weber State entering the first of back-to-back home games tonight against Cal State Sacramento (3-14, 0-6). Weber State plays at Northridge on Thursday.

The Matadors, coming off a two-game sweep in Montana, play five of their next six at home and appear to be peaking at the right time. Especially Carr.

He scored all of his game-high 17 points Saturday against Montana in the second half and has made 29 consecutive free throws, one shy of the school record. Carr is 20 of 20 on free throws in conference play.

And, of course, there are the assists--508 and counting for Carr, the Matadors’ career leader with another season to play.

Carr was recruited by UC Santa Barbara and the Naval Academy, and would be a welcome addition to most rosters. Northridge, he said, suited his style.

“Sometimes it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond,” Carr said. “I don’t know how things would have worked out if I had gone [to school] somewhere else.”

Carr is more concerned with his game, which includes elevating those of teammates.

“A good point guard has to have his teammates trust him,” Carr said. “They have to show confidence that he’ll be able to direct the offense and get them the ball when they need it.”

Northridge is the Big Sky’s highest scoring team, with Brian Heinle, Jeff Parris and John Burrell ranking among the conference top four in scoring. Of course, Carr leads the Big Sky in assists.

“We need to have the ball in his hands,” said Heinle, the Big Sky’s scoring leader.

Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell said Carr’s contribution cannot be underestimated.

“None of our guys--Brian, Jeff, any of them--have the kind of seasons they’re having without Markus,” Braswell said. “People who know the game and watch the game understand that when they see him play. Markus has the experience, the savvy and the knowledge.”

And still a bit of an edge left over from his freshman days.

Braswell booted Carr from practice recently after he kicked a ball in frustration, but Carr and his coach quickly reconciled.

“It was just one of those days and I threw him out,” Braswell said.

But the incident brought back memories.

Carr, a Times’ All-Valley selection at Palmdale High in 1997, smiles when recalling his early days at Northridge.

“I was a lot more cocky back then, too cocky,” Carr said. “You ask anybody.”

Braswell can vouch, describing Carr as a “cocky little freshman” who has matured. So can guard Carl Holmes.

“He was, but when we all came in we were arrogant and cocky,” Holmes said. “We wanted the older guys to know we weren’t scared of them.”

Carr said he was just sure of himself.

“I was ready to step in,” he said. “They had a lot of talent and I know they had high expectations for me that year. I just knew I was going to be good.”

Braswell bristled when Carr pooh-poohed a dribbling drill weeks before the start of his freshman season.

Carr began bouncing a basketball at an early age, weaving through furniture in the living room, and he quickly became deft at dribbling.

“I said something like, ‘Man, this stuff ain’t gonna help me,’ and he heard me,” Carr said. “The very next day I got hurt.”

Carr tore ligaments in his left knee during a pickup game with teammates and was lost for the season.

“Having to sit out that year probably was the best thing for him,” Braswell said. “It gave him a chance to watch and learn, and he has grown and matured.”

Carr’s leadership on the court is unmistakable. After two seasons as a starter, his authority has increased.

“He’ll look to me, but he’s pretty much on his own,” Braswell said. “Markus has a lot of knowledge, a lot of basketball savvy.”

And confidence.

“I just want to lead,” Carr said. “I think this team before lacked leadership and I took it upon myself this year to lead this team. I don’t think any of the other guys mind me saying that because that’s something they expect of me, leadership.

“It’s not even cockiness anymore. It may come across as cockiness to some people, but not to me. It’s just how I play.”

Point taken.