Cal State Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell Says Matadome is a Dump

The Southern California Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon at the Los Angeles Athletic Club occurred on Wednesday, giving all of the local area coaches the chance to talk about how great UCLA coach Ben Howland is.

And why not? Howland has been to seemingly 30 consecutive Final Fours. He, of course, hasn't won any of them. But look at Cal State. The Titans were just happy to get to the tournament last year. Cal State fans cherished the achievement like it was a Final Four. So who can knock Howland, right?

Somehow, my invitation did not come in the mail. So here's a sampling of notes, quotes and anecdotes from the luncheon, taken from the Riverside Press Enterprise and the Los Angeles Times.
Cal State Northridge coach Bobby Braswell explained that the Matadome wasn't so much a dome, as it's more like a "gym." Which of course, is code for dump.

And if you have ever been to the Matagym, you would know that isn't even accurate. The first time anybody walks into the "gym," the first thought is generally, "Wow, this is the world's largest lecture hall." Until the game starts. Then it resembles the world's largest library.

Long Beach State coach Don Monson attended the University of Idaho, much like Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Monson said that Palin would be a great basketball coach because she can see a high school gym from her house. Just kidding. But don't worry, Monson's joke was worse.

"I went to school with her but I did not know her there," Monson said. "At least that's what I told my wife. I gave her my best Bill Clinton imitation and so far she believes me."

Cal State coach Bob Burton really needs to come out of his shell. The coach of the Big West champion Titans had a number of quips.

"I probably should have retired," Burton said after taking his team to the NCAA tournament last spring but returns just two of 11 players from that club. Don't be fooled though. Josh Akognon is coming back, so the Titans will not be that bad and could surprise a few people. Burton also joked about his recent trip to Canada, saying that he "had to take his own team."

Burton was the butt of a joke from a USC assistant filling in for Tim Floyd who was probably troubled that the recent market crash will hurt his boosters' ability to pay recruits.

There was USC assistant coach Phil Johnson (substituting for Tim Floyd, who was out of town) saying how Burton was all excited about a potential recruit. "Burton said the kid needed to pass a math test, a one-question test. The kid spent several weeks preparing and then Bob said, 'Are you ready for the test? Come on, you gotta get ready. What's two plus two? The player said four. Burton jumped up and said, 'Oh, no, give him another chance.'"

Pepperdine, LMU, Cal State and Cal State Northridge were thanked for purchasing tables at the luncheon. UCLA and USC were not. That's the problem right there. USC and UCLA spend money on players, not tables. No wonder they are falling behind.

The Orange County Register had this report: Oh wait, there isn't one to be found. Guess the paper doesn't cover college sports anymore. But if anybody finds a link, be sure to leave it in the comments.