On This Day in CSUN Athletics - The Matadors Take Memphis to the Limit in the NCAA's
3/19/2020 10:20:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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In this ongoing feature, GoMatadors.com takes a look back on some of the most memorable moments in CSUN Athletics history. In today's moment, we revisit the 2009 Matador men's basketball team in their unforgettable 2009 NCAA appearance against third-ranked Memphis on March 19, 2009.
There are many ways to describe the 2008-09 Men's Basketball team - heart, grit and resilience are just some of those. CSUN would have to overcome much adversity that season from a slow start to the year to losing the services of two starters but the Matadors persevered every time. In the 2009 NCAA Tournament, that unrelenting spirit was on full display as the Matadors gave the heavily favored Memphis Tigers all they could handle in a game to be remembered.
Kenny Daniels scored 14Â
points vs. Memphis
After falling in the Big West Tournament semifinals the year before, the Matadors returned many of their key players in 2008-09 and were picked to win the league. However, the Matadors struggled out of the gate going 1-6. Shortly thereafter, the team learned their top scorer Deon Tresvant was lost for the season. CSUN would soldier on, and behind veteran leaders in Tremaine Townsend and Rob Haynes, the team won eight of 11 conference games. Just as the team was turning the corner, starting point guard Josh Jenkins was lost for the final weeks of the season after an automobile accident.
"That was the hardest season I had been through at CSUN," said Haynes. "Deon was our top scorer, then Josh got into a crazy accident. He had to go through surgery. At that point, we were all scatterbrained. The thing that picked us up was our leadership. We had five seniors. Tremaine Townsend was a leader and everybody paid attention to him for guidance. I led by example."
Instead of succumbing to the setbacks, the Matadors finished the regular season in grand fashion, winning the league before notching impressive wins over UC Santa Barbara and Pacific to claim the Big West Tournament crown.
While Matadors were elated to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament, the team had a big challenge ahead. Seeded 15th in the West Region, the Matadors would be matched up against No. 2 seed Memphis, a national runner-up from 2008 and winners of 25 in a row. The team was led by decorated head coach John Calipari and were headlined by future NBA player Tyreke Evans. The Matadors were an overwhelming underdog in the game and given little chance to advance by the college basketball experts.
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Vincent Cordell (2) and Rob
Haynes battle for a rebound
"It was a fun game, I remember being out there and getting chills," said Haynes. "I remember the crowd in Kansas City starting to turn to our side as the game went along. It was an emotional boost."
CSUNÂ showed little quit and plenty of fight against Memphis who boasted the top defense in the country. With Mark Hill's ball handling, Townsend, Kenny Daniels and Willie Galick's finishes at the hoop and Rodrigue Mels' outside shooting, the Matadors trailed by just three points at the half. In the second half, the Matadors surged ahead and would lead by six points after a steal and Vincent Cordell bucket with 10 minutes to play. Following a Tiger run that cut the lead to one, Hill would make a highlight reel up and under move to put CSUN up 64-61.
 Despite captivating the capacity crowd in the Sprint Center, the Matadors would fall just short to the Tigers, 81-70. In defeat though, the Matadors had gained national exposure and respect across the college basketball world. Mels led the Matadors with 15 points while Townsend and Daniels each scored 14 points. Hill added 13 and Galick scored 12 points. A team effort until the final seconds and a team that will not be forgotten.
"We weren't playing selfish ball at all that day," said Haynes. "It's a moment in CSUNÂ history."
