The Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball team will indeed be the David and get to square off against the Goliath when it comes to the sport.
The defending NCAA Division II champion Broncos have a deal to play an exhibition game on Nov. 4 against the reigning Division I champion Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham
“It is crazy to even think about,” added Broncos senior Donnelle
Booker. “That’s the school everyone thinks of when it comes to basketball. I’m
sure no one knows about us outside of this area.”
Cal Poly coach Greg Kamansky, beginning his 11th year heading the
program, said a representative from Duke first approached him about the game
about a month after the basketball season ended. He was not totally surprised
because Duke started its 2009 season against Findlay (Ohio), then the reigning
Division II champion.
The Broncos have played some exhibition games against major
Division I schools in the past. The most notable one came in 2006 when the
Broncos opened against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion and lost 73-43.
“We don’t have any misguided notions about this,” Kamansky
said. “We’re not putting in a game plan for them and they aren’t worried about
us. It’s all about us doing what we need to do to prepare for our first regular
season game.”
Duke will be footing the bill for the trip, everything from
plane fare to lodging accommodations. The team will be leaving on a Tuesday,
practicing in the venue on Wednesday and playing the game on a Thursday, then
return to Southern California on Friday.
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