Mountaineers stall 49ers

West Virginia beats LBSU, 85-62. Photo by Diandra Jay/Press-Telegram ANAHEIM - It was no secret that the Long Beach State basketball team had an extremely slender margin for error as it went into its game against the No.8-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers on Thanksgiving morning.

[Beach Bum]

This type of performance by LBSU against some of the biggest of the big boys can either break an up-and-coming team's spirit, or allow it to learn and improve as it prepares for the rest of its pre-season games against other top-flight opponents and for the regular league season. I believe in this case the latter will prevail for the Beach, as Monson's charges seem to understand and be completely "bought into" his big-picture philosophy of a little school playing the best teams, and by doing so, raising the profile of both the players and the program, playing on national TV more often (which hardly ever happened during the last two coach's tenures), and most importantly growing the program and attracting more talented players like Larry Anderson et al to LBSU. It's a major challenge to get the blue-chip players to come to LB, since LBSU is competing with UCLA, USC, and other "bigger" schools for the same talent, but the Beach could ultimately recruit enough of the best local players to raise the program to heights it hasn't seen in nearly 40 years. With the young and very talented crop of players on the current roster and the the highly regarded new recruits coming next year, coupled with the visionary Monson, who has a proven track record at the highest level, the current high-profile non-conference schedule, and add a decent facility and so-so academic standards, LBSU seems to be at a pivotal moment in its entire history. It seems to have the necessary pieces in place to raise the program from Big West anonymity to national relevance, a notion not even in the imagination of anyone associated with the program in nearly 40 years. Could this really be?...maybe...it just takes a little dreaming...

[dubveeguy]

well, I am biased but I'm calling for a national championship for the mounties in the next 3 years. Take that to the bank. Say what you will about Huggins, he's turning WVU into a powerhouse in the best conference in college basketball. But LBSU will be a contender in the tourney if not this year, then next for sure. It's all good. I'm just glad we can sit back and enjoy the game of college basketball...and football.

[MMegee Class of 74]

After watch what UCLA always seemed to do to us in the 70s, this team is a good one to have around. Hopefully, the players take it in stride and learn to adjust to the pressure type games they are in for this Nov and Dec...I don't think too many other teams in the country have as tough a non-conference schedule as the Beach does. PS: glad to see UCLA finally get beat the mid-majors, even Fullerton!