Matador Madness, the kickoff to the much-anticipated California State University, Northridge basketball season, is set for Friday, Oct. 3, and fans can get ready for a high-energy evening with plenty of food, prizes and an introduction to the new “Blacktop” at The Matadome.

Starting at 7 p.m., everyone in attendance will be greeted by the
evening’s master of ceremonies, Power 106’s Yessi Ortiz. The first 700 CSUN students will receive a free hot dog from The University Corporation, and everyone entering the arena will receive a Red Rally towel and pompoms, which can be use during the evening. The celebration will include a dunk contest and three-point shooting contest.

The upcoming season is filled with anticipation for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Last year, the men’s team, under the tutelage of then first-year coach Reggie Theus, made it to the final game of the Big West Tournament, and were mere seconds from the third NCAA Tournament appearance in CSUN history. This season, they have three returning starters, and Theus is bringing in a recruiting class touted among the top 50 by ESPN for his second campaign.

The women’s team, under coach Jason Flowers, last year became the first in school history to win both the Big West’s regular-season and conference tournament titles. The Matadors return all five starters from last year’s team, including Big West Player of the Year Ashlee Guay.

Those teams will be among the four — including men’s and women’s volleyball — competing on the Blacktop, one of the most unique floors in the nation. With the out-of-bounds area surrounding the court and each of the keys being completely black, the new floor gives a playground feel to Division I basketball.

“This is a critical piece of our new visual identity, our new branding,” said CSUN Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brandon E. Martin, Ed.D. “One of the things that we wanted to do in our primary athletic facility is to have a unique, distinctive, cutting-edge floor that was unlike any other in the country. That allows us to enhance the fan experience.

“We’re very excited about the key games, especially in the Big West Conference, where our fans can show some Matador pride.”

Events, Featured