Beach Hosts Big West Home Opener Against Cal Poly Thursday

1/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Jan. 13, 2015

Long Beach, Calif. -

Game: Long Beach State vs. Cal Poly
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Arena: Walter Pyramid (4,200)
TV: ESPN3
TV Talent: Trent Schlom, Richie Schueler
Radio: KBEACH.org; HD 88.1-3
Radio Talent: Rob Brender
Webcast: WatchESPN
Live Stats: longbeachstate.com

RIGHT AWAY
• Mike Caffey is leading the Beach with 17.7 points and 3.6 assists per game, while averaging 3.7 rebounds a contest. A 2014-15 Lou Henson Award Watch List selection (Best Mid-Major Player), Caffey is a two-time first-team All-Big West selection heading into his senior year, and Caffey can join Larry Anderson, Francois Wise, and Ed Ratleff as the only 49ers to be a three-time First-Team All-Big West honoree. Caffey was also selected to the Wooden Legacy All-Tournament Team, averaging 20 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists while leading Beach to a third place finish.

• Caffey was named the Big West Player of the Week for his efforts last week despite a split to open Big West play. Caffey averaged 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3.5 steals per game last week, leading the 49ers to a win over UC Irvine with 27 points before tying a career high with 29 points in an overtime loss at UC Davis.

• Caffey reached two major milestones last week. The senior moved into the Long Beach State Top 10 in points scored, and begins the week with 1,433 points in his career at the Beach. Caffey also passed 400 assists in his career, where he ranks 7th in school history, along with 150 steals, where he also ranks 7th at LBSU.

• Long Beach State has had nine different players reach double-figures in 2014-15, and is using a rotation of 11 players in one of the deepest teams in recent 49er history. Mike Caffey has scored in double figures in 16 games, and has been joined in that club this season by Tyler Lamb, David Samuels, McKay LaSalle, Branford Jones, Eric McKnight, and three freshmen in Deontae North, Jack Williams and Temidayo Yussuf.

THE PLAYERS
• Tyler Lamb returned to the starting lineup after missing the first two games, and had a great start, scoring 17 points with three rebounds and two blocks. Lamb is averaging 9.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 2014-15 with the 49ers, second on the team in both categories.

• Forward David Samuels has started each game in his senior season after starting 29 games for the Beach as a junior college transfer last season. Samuels picked up his fourth double-double with the Beach in LBSU's 69-60 win over Kansas State, and is averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season, leading the team in rebounding and sitting third in scoring.

• Branford Jones has adjusted to a number of roles this season, averaging 8.1 points per game. The sophomore has saved his best for some of the 49ers' biggest games, leading the team in scoring with 14 points against Kansas State and scoring 13 points in LBSU's win over Xavier. Jones also led the team in scoring at No. 5 Louisville. In his latest return to the starting lineup, Jones has scored in double-figures against both Fresno Pacific and UC Irvine, and scored eight points at UC Davis.

• Eric McKnight had his best week as a 49er at Syracuse and Louisville. A starter for Florida Gulf Coast's "Dunk City" team that reached the Sweet 16, McKnight joined the Beach this season as a graduate transfer for his final year of eligibility. McKnight had a season high 14 points at Syracuse, tying for the team lead, and then had a team high seven rebounds at No. 5 Louisville.

• Temidayo Yussuf had a breakout tournament in the Wooden Legacy. Making his first three collegiate starts, Yussuf scored six points with a career high seven rebounds in the opening game over Western Michigan, and followed that performance with 16 points and six rebounds against Washington. Yussuf closed the tournament with 15 points and five boards against Xavier, averaging 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds on the weekend. Yussuf's strong turn continued against Nevada, as the freshman picked up his first double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

• All four of Long Beach State's freshman played in the CIF state championships in 2013, with three, Jack Williams, Justin Bibbins and Temidayo Yussuf all winning the state title with their high school teams. Bibbins and Williams were also both named the Wooden Player of the Year for their respective division.

• Long Beach State will have four players redshirt during 2014-15 - Senior A.J. Spencer is out for the year with an ACL tear, while Nick Faust (Maryland) and Roschon Prince (USC) can practice with the team, but must sit out this season as NCAA Division I transfers. Additionally, Alex Rifkind is redshirting as a freshman.

• Joining Prince and Faust as a Division I transfer is Gabe Levin, who was added to the LBSU roster in January. A 6-7 forward, Levin started 29 games for Loyola Marymount last season and averaged 11.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, setting a Lions record with six double-doubles as a true freshman.

ABOUT CAL POLY
• Cal Poly was the shock winner of the Big West Tournament last season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 7 seed entering the postseason. Placed in the first four, Cal Poly went on to win and reach the second round in the 2013-14 postseason.

• David Nwaba has been the leader of the Mustangs so far this season, averaging 13.5 points per game while adding 22 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. Three Cal Poly players are averaging double figures, with Brian Bennett and Reese Morgan both topping 10 points per game as well.

• In the last game between the teams, Long Beach State got 19 points from Tyler Lamb and 18 points from Mike Caffey to take a 74-65 win in the Walter Pyramid. Kyle Odister scored 11 points to lead the Mustangs, while Nwaba started and had seven points with six rebounds.

• Long Beach State has won four in a row at home against Cal Poly, and leads the all-time series 41-29.

UP NEXT
• The homestand continues as Long Beach State hosts UC Santa Barbara and reigning Big West Player of the Year Alan Williams on Saturday. Tip time is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.