Matchup with Wisconsin is a tall order for Titans
Cal State Fullerton is going to Omaha.
Nothing new there, but this time it’s the basketball team heading to the NCAA tournament instead of the baseball team going to the College World Series.
The Titans were seeded No. 14 in the Midwest Region and will play No. 3 Wisconsin on Thursday in Omaha, a city where the baseball team has become a fan favorite because of its 15 appearances in the College World Series and four championships.
“Maybe we can get them to think that the baseball team is playing and then they’ll all come out and support us,” Coach Bob Burton said.
Fullerton (24-8), the Big West Conference champion, has its work cut out against Wisconsin (29-4), the Big Ten Conference champion that features 6-foot-11 center Brian Butch and 6-7 forward Marcus Landry.
Fullerton’s tallest starters are Scott Cutley and Marcus Morgan, who are 6-5.
“It’s going to be really a tough deal for us,” Burton said. “Somebody on TV said they are the best defensive team in the country, so that is scary. But the big thing is, can we hang with them on the boards and inside?”
Wisconsin leads the nation in scoring defense, giving up 54.3 points per game, and is limiting opponents to 38.3% shooting, fifth in the nation.
Fullerton runs an up-tempo offense and averaged 82.7 points to rank fifth in the nation and will have to try to use quickness and its outside shooting ability to neutralize Wisconsin’s height advantage.
“The two styles are so different,” Burton said. “We’re going to be fine running up and down the court, but can we get a rebound? Can we guard their guys inside?”
Butch, an All-Big Ten first-team selection, averages 12.5 points and 6.8 rebounds. Landry, an All-Big Ten second-team selection, averages 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.
The Badgers, who won the conference regular-season and tournament titles, bring 6-10 Jon Leuer and 6-11 Greg Stiemsma off the bench.
“I’m used to playing against bigger players,” said Cutley, a natural small forward who plays mostly inside. “It’ll be a challenge, but I think I can do it.”
Fullerton hasn’t played any team with that type of size. The closest was Arizona, with 6-10 Jordan Hill and 6-7 Chase Budinger. The Wildcats outrebounded the Titans, 42-31, in a 91-65 victory.
“We were so excited about getting here, now the reality is going to start setting in about who you are playing and what you have to do,” Burton said.
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