CSUN. See son get arrested.

For the first third part of the season, the Cal State Northridge (CSUN) Matadors taunted me unrelentingly with their capes.

I was a proud bull; and like most proud bulls, I charged hard out of the gate.

Only three months into the writing world - without any journalism credentials - my CSUN article dropped on the crispy pages of ESPN The Mag online (18 Nov 2008).

SMALL FRY: THE CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE MATADORS

Why you should care about a small Big West school this college basketball season.

The Matadors opened up their schedule with a convincing 'W' over Cal Lutheran. So what did I do? I shamelessly passed along the hyperlink to my family and friends. Check me out! Peter Robert Casey, resting under the banner of four of the most important letters in sports: E-S-P-N.

And then, the Matadors went to work. A six game slide was met with an orgy of sarcastic congratulations from my new found fan club.

Though I picked up four of the next six contests, the Matadors' sharpened sword was anxiously awaiting behind the obscuring red muleta.

Of course, I didn't know that. I was staring at a 5-8 overall standing (2-1 in conference), dwelling on the positive momentum going into the second half of the season.

But suddenly, and painfully, I felt the thrust of a sword piercing between my shoulder blades.

The estocada to my article.

Coach Bobby Braswell's son, Jeffrey Robert Braswell, along with Deon Tresvant (CSUN's leading scorer) and two others, were caught trying to steal from Best Buy.

I told you "Braswell's teams have finished amongst the top 25 in steals in 11 of the last 12 seasons." I just left out the part about Best Buy.

And that's exactly why you should care about a small Big West school this college basketball season.