The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach State Basketball is sponsored by CSULB Distinguished Alumnus Nelson Farris.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach State men’s basketball for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Arline & Mike Walter.
A week ago Long Beach State men’s basketball would’ve been one of your last guesses to reach the NCAA Tournament after finishing the regular season on a 5-game losing streak.
On Sunday, the Beach was literally the last team announced during the Selection Sunday show that sends No. 15 LBSU to Salt Lake City, Utah where it will face No. 2 Arizona in the first round on Thursday.
“When we saw our name pop up on the screens, and we’re playing Arizona, it’s real now,” LBSU senior AJ George said. “It’s that big moment we’ve all been waiting for. We’ve just got to prepare for it.”
The Beach is preparing for one of the top scoring offense in the nation, but Arizona wasn’t able to score a conference tournament win over the weekend. The Wildcats are averaging 87.9 points per game.
National media has already been spotlighting the strange situation involving Monson and LBSU parting ways following this season after 17 years at the helm. Monson chuckled when asked if the extra interview requests were annoying.
“It’s better than the alternative,” he said. “I’ve had plenty of Selection Sunday where my phone never rang.”
CLICK HERE to read more about how LBSU won the Big West Conference tournament.
Come back to The562.org all week for more stories leading up to the Arizona game.
The winner on Thursday will face the winner of Dayton/Nevada in the second round of the West Region.
