Long Beach St.: More Than Just a Shiny Court

The Beach, as they like to call themselves. When you play basketball at Long Beach St. University (LBSU), it would be easy to get lost in the locale. Walter Pyramid, where LBSU plays their home basketball games, is within 15 minutes of a beach and 30 minutes of Los Angeles and Anaheim. LBSU is so connected to the coastal life that they have palm trees painted on their court. Do not let that fool you. When you play basketball for Dan Monson at LBSU, you will get a true collegiate basketball experience.

LBSU might play in the Big West Conference, a so-called mid-major, but you would not know that following them through their gauntlet of a non-conference schedule. For the last five years, LBSU's non-conference strength of schedule has ranked 9, 11, 16, 1, and 7 in the country. LBSU is not scared to play anyone or anywhere. During those five years, LBSU has played more non-conference road/neutral games than home games in four of the five years including 12 road games this year. At one point this year, LBSU played six of eight games against likely tournament teams over a 30 day period.

LBSU has had mixed success with this challenging strategy. LBSU had a losing record in non-conference games in four of those five seasons, but it has prepared them to compete every year in the Big West. In those five years, LBSU has gone 60-17 in the Big West regular season and finished in first place three times. LBSU is currently 7-4 in Big West games this year and within contention for first place.

The current LBSU 49ers are hoping to recreate the magic from their storied 2011-2012 season when they made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007. In the 2011-2012 season, LBSU beat Pittsburgh and Xavier in road/neutral games during their non-conference schedule. LBSU then went on to finish 15-1 in the Big West regular season and won the Big West conference tournament. As a 12 seed in the NCAA tournament, LBSU gave pesky New Mexico a run for their money. New Mexico would go on to nearly upset Louisville who made the Final Four. This year with non-conference wins over Xavier, Kansas St, and Western Michigan, the 49ers are hoping to get another shot in the NCAA tournament for the eight seniors on the roster. Those seniors account for two-thirds of the team's points led by Mike Caffey with 17 points per game.

The Big West regular season title frontrunner is currently UC Davis (9-1), but UC Irvine (7-3), LBSU (7-4), and UC Santa Barbara (6-4) are all within striking distance. The race got right down to business the opening weekend of conference play with LBSU having to travel to UC Irvine and UC Davis over a three day stretch. LBSU defeated UC Irvine by six points, but lost to UC Davis in overtime. That loss was LBSU's only conference loss until a recent three game skid. The fight for the top spot could take a big turn this Thursday as LBSU takes on UC Davis at home. The Big West regular season title could come down to the very end as UC Davis faces UC Irvine to finish their seasons. LBSU needs a big win tomorrow night against UC Davis to stay in the race.

The Beach, a fine example of what a mid-major is supposed to be. LBSU's schedule fears nothing. The 49ers are not here just to play a little basketball and soak up some rays in the sand. The Beach is here to win championships starting with the Big West regular season title.