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Big West 2019-20 season preview: another new champion?

By David Yapkowitz

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Faith Mimnaugh of the Cal Poly Mustangs eyes the play from the bench against the Loyola Marymount Lions in the first half of the home opening game at Gersten Pavilion on November 21, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Cal Poly won 87-79. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Faith Mimnaugh of the Cal Poly Mustangs eyes the play from the bench against the Loyola Marymount Lions in the first half of the home opening game at Gersten Pavilion on November 21, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Cal Poly won 87-79. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images) /
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LONG BEACH, CA – MARCH 08: CSUN coach Jason Flowers has a chat with Hayley Tanabe during a break in the action in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. CSUN vs Hawaii in the quarterfinals of the Big West Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Walter Pyramid.(Photo by Scott Varley/Digital First Media/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images)
LONG BEACH, CA – MARCH 08: CSUN coach Jason Flowers has a chat with Hayley Tanabe during a break in the action in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. CSUN vs Hawaii in the quarterfinals of the Big West Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Walter Pyramid.(Photo by Scott Varley/Digital First Media/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images) /

CSUN:

2018-19 record: 16-15, 10-6 Conference

Key Losses:

-Channon Fluker

-Serafina Maulupe

-Claudia Ramos

-Destiny Brooks

Key Additions:

-Deja Williams

-Olivia Smith

-Daniela Popa

As has been the case with Cal State Northridge for the past couple of seasons, the Matadors start off slow and hit their stride once conference play rolls around. Head coach Jason Flowers has always seemed to be able to get the most out of his roster despite incurring any major losses. The Matadors have some key losses this season, but should still be a middle of the pack team in the conference.

CSUN’s backcourt will be a bit depleted with the losses of Serafina Maulupe and Claudia Ramos, and the transfer of Destiny Brooks. But that gives an opportunity for senior point guard Hayley Tanabe to step into a leading role. She battled injuries last season, but is a solid playmaker who keeps the offense moving. She’s never once averaged double figures in points, but figures to take on a little bit of a bigger role offensively.

For additional help in the backcourt, CSUN will likely turn to returners Jordyn Jackson and Meghann Henderson. Jackson was named to the Big West All-Freshman team last season. She displayed her ability to be a scorer if needed, and to facilitate as well. She’s also a capable outside shooting threat. Henderson can also act as the primary ball-handler, and she’s a solid wing defender.

The frontcourt will have some questions too as the Matadors will look to replace Channon Fluker. Senior Lauren Shymkewicz figures to step into the starting center role. She played alongside Fluker at times last season and she has the ability to stretch the floor with shooting. Fellow senior Eliza Matthews should also start in the frontcourt. Matthews does a lot of little things on the court to help win. She’s a good rebounder and one of the best defensive players in the conference. She’s an efficient scorer as well.

A couple of other players that should factor into the frontcourt rotation are redshirt senior De’Jionae Calloway and redshirt freshman Daniela Popa. After sitting out the 2017-18 season due to transfer rules, Calloway had a decent year last season. She’s a strong defensive player and a good rebounder. Popa redshirted last season, so this will be her first year of college basketball. She was a double-double threat in high school.

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