Long Beach State

Long Beach State Reaches March Madness Despite Firing Coach

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Long Beach State are heading to March Madness despite firing their coach a week ago. The men’s team won the Big West conference tournament, and thus the conference’s automatic bid, despite veteran coach Dan Monson “mutually terminating” his coach effective at the end of the season. “God has blessed me with a great career, and these kids have been awesome to coach,” Monson said after the game. “When Coach Harbaugh says, ‘Who has it better than us?’ someone needs to tell him, ‘Coach Monson’,” Monson said.

The team is headed to March Madness for the first time since 2012 and for just the third time in the 21st century. Monson was dismissed despite going 21-14 and 10-10 in the Big West. The season included a marquee win over Bronny James and USC in December. Monson also indicated that he doesn’t intend to hang up his clipboard just yet. “I don’t think this is my last year, I love coaching. I need a new challenge. That’s life. It’s on to the next chapter,” Monson told ESPN. Long Beach State will learn its March Madness route later today.

Read More: Juwan Howard Fired By Michigan After Historically Bad Season

South Carolina Star Becomes Steph Curry’s First NIL Signing

Elsewhere, South Carolina freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley has become the first collegiate athlete to sign with Steph Curry‘s NIL brand. Per the brand, Fulwiley will be an “ambassador” at the NCAA tournament later this month and will sport Curry-branded shoes for the rest of her collegiate career. Fulwiley was recently crowned MVP of the SEC tournament, the first freshman to capture the award.

Fulwiley is averaging 11.8/2.9/2.3 this season amid the Gamecocks’ second consecutive undefeated regular season. However, here solid contributions have been overshadowed by the outstanding seasons of USC’s Juju Watkins and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hildago. South Carolina will enter March Madness as the number one overall seed. However, in a rare move, they will be without star senior Kamilla Cardoso for their opening game. Cardoso is serving a one-game suspension for fighting in South Carolina’s title game against LSU.

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Bronny James’ USC Debut Expected This Weekend

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Bronny James could make his college debut this weekend against Long Beach State. James participated in his first full-contact practice session on Thursday, sparking hope that he is ready to play with the team. USC has not officially confirmed that James will play. However, coach Andy Enfield spoke openly about James appearing “very soon”, albeit on a strict minutes limit. If James does play, it will mark a miraculous return from what was once thought a career-ending congenital heart condition.

James joins a USC team that has struggled in recent weeks. After starting the season 4-1, the Trojans have dropped two of their last three games. While ESPN gives the 49ers an 82.5% win probability against Long Beach State, the 49ers won’t go down quietly. The Big West school is 6-4, including a marquee win over an ailing Michigan program. Trojans-49ers has become a regular non-conference matchup in recent years. Last season, USC won by 10. Furthermore, Bronny’s father LeBron is expected to be in attendance for his son’s debut. Bronny will be the first James to play college ball, as LeBron was drafted into the NBA right out of high school.

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What To Expect From Bronny James’ USC Debut

Fans flocking to the Galen Center should temper their expectations for James’ first college game. With Enfield’s starting lineup firmly set, James will likely come off the bench and play limited minutes, both due to the talent around him and as part of his ongoing recovery. However, his time on the floor will be marked by a mix of elite defense and scoring. Furthermore, with No. 1 recruit Isaiah Collier scoring 17.3 a night, there will be less pressure on James to come in and immediately be a major contributor.

Despite this, anticipated for James’ debut is already off the charts. “Everybody’s excited to see Bronny on the court. The fans, teammates, everybody around our program and university. Bronny’s done a great job of mentally and physically getting back to this point and I think he’s very anxious to get back full-time playing. We’re excited to watch him play,” Enfield said earlier this week.

Read More: Shareef O’Neal Offers Encouraging Update About Bronny James’ Basketball Future

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