Cal Poly Pomona men to square off against Duke
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.
About Michelle
Michelle Gardner has been a staff writer for The Sun and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin since 2002 and has covered the local college sports scene since 2004. She ventured West after working at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale for eight years and is a graduate of the University of Florida.
E-mail Michelle here.
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