With two more games left in the regular season the defending Big West champion Matadors, who are eighth in the standings, (10-19, 5-9 Big West) could be on the verge of not getting into the conference tournament to defend their crown. In order for that not to happen CSUN needs a couple of scenarios to happen.
The easiest way for Northridge to get in is by either defeating UC Davis tonight at the Matadome or Pacific on Saturday, which is also at home.
If the Matadors were to lose both games they would need help from UC Riverside, who is in last place (9th) and only a half-game behind from CSUN for the final spot in the tournament.
CSUN automatically gets into the tournament if the Highlanders lose at Long Beach State on Friday.
Senior guard Kenny Daniels doesn’t want to scoreboard watch and just take care of business on the court.
“I want to win and not rely on anybody else to lose for us to get in,” Daniels said. “If it happens that (we need UCR to lose) to get in I will be satisfied with it but at the same time I want to put my destiny in my own hands.”
To open conference play in January the Matadors lost to the Aggies and the Tigers on the road.
Pacific (18-10, 10-4 Big West) is currently sitting as the second seed but still have a lot to play for with the regular season conference title still in sight.
The Aggies (12-16, 7-7 Big West) have had an up and down season thus far but hold the fourth seed in the conference, which would give them a bye for the first round if they are able to retain that spot.
CSUN believes if they are able to win out its final two games that it will give them momentum into the conference tournament.
“It will set the tone and let everyone know that we are not a slouch team,” redshirt sophomore guard Vinnie McGhee said. “We are a good team…we are going through some things right now and beating those two teams will tell everybody watch out for the Matadors…We still are the defending champions.”