Tough non-conference schedule will again challenge 49er men’s basketball

In what has become a staple of Dan Monson era Long Beach State Men’s basketball, the 49ers will again face some of the top teams in the country during their non-conference run. According to ESPN college basketball analyst Andy Katz, The Beach will face three teams in his preseason top 25.

Trips to No. 11 North Carolina, No. 12 Washington, and a homecoming showdown at the Walter Pyramid with No. 24 San Diego State on November 13 all highlight the preseason schedule.

Utah State, who the 49ers will visit in hostile Logan, Utah and Xavier, who LBSU could face in the Paradise Jam Tournament, are listed as Katz’s teams just on the bubble of the top 25.

These potential top 25 programs, along with a trip to Tempe, Ariz. to face off with the Arizona State Sun Devils and a match up with St. Mary’s as part of the Wooden Classic in Anaheim, Calif. comprise another schedule that will challenge the 49ers, but as Coach Monson says, will hopefully ultimately prepare the team for a run at the Big West Conference Championship.

“We’re trying to get [the program] back to where it was, but it’s been a long, long time and we’ve got to play some of these teams to let our guys know what that is,” said Monson during Gazette Sports’ weekly Beach Sports Radio show.

For more information about the upcoming basketball season, be sure to come out to the Weekly Wednesdays Basketball Coaches Tour with Dan Monson and Jody Wynn kicking off September 15 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at The Beach Club located at 5755 Pacific Coast Highway.