Men's basketball to begin season

By Eric Boyum, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, November 12, 1998

It has been a rough ride for Cal State Northridge the past few years. From the earthquake that shook the campus in 1994 to the temporary elimination of four men's athletic teams in 1997, including baseball, volleyball, soccer and swimming.

This year a drug scandal has led to the resignation of Athletic Director Paul Bubb and Michael Abraham as women's basketball coach. Abraham is being charged with attempt to distribute 50 grams of cocaine.

Despite the turmoil, current Matador head coach Bobby Braswell - who is fulfilling the interim athletic director position - hopes to open the men's basketball season with a positive showing Saturday against Long Beach State.

Rico Harris, a highly acclaimed 6-foot, 9-inch junior college transfer, brings the Matadors a scoring threat to the lineup that lacked punch on last season's 12-16 team.

The Matadors also return two starters in junior forward Jeff Parris, who averaged seven points a game and five rebounds, and senior guard Derrick Higgins, who averaged 11.5 points and three rebounds.

The 49ers lineup should surprise some people this year with their depth.

"We should improve drastically this season," Head Coach Wayne Morgan said at the Big West Conference media day last week. "Otherwise you will be looking at someone else up here next year."

Morgan said he believes that as many as 10 players could contribute to the rotation this season. That number could increase if the team receive contributions from Grant Stone who is recovering from off-season foot surgery, and Jared Frey, who is nursing a groin injury.