Consider Bobby Braswell a bargain. At $151,234 in annual compensation, the Cal State Northridge coach ranks eighth among the 14 University of California or California State University Division I men's basketball coaches listed in The Bee's state salary database.

He's also one of only three UC or CSU men's coaches taking his team to the NCAA Tournament.

Braswell's 17-13 Matadors won the Big West Conference tournament to earn their second NCAA bid since joining Division I in 1990. A No. 15 seed, they take on second-seeded Memphis in a first-round West Regional game Thursday in Kansas City, Mo.

UCLA's Ben Howland, who earned $347,277 in 2007 (plus outside income) before signing a seven-year contract that includes guaranteed compensation of $1.97 million this season, and Cal's Mike Montgomery, whose salary isn't listed because he was hired in 2008, also guided their teams to NCAA berths.

Braswell, the Big West Coach of the Year the past two seasons, guided Northridge to the NCAAs in 2001, when the Matadors won the Big Sky Conference tournament. He owns a 205-180 record in 13 seasons at Northridge.

"I told them this is a moment they will remember for the rest of their lives," Braswell said in a release. "When you hear and see your name called on Selection Sunday, there is no feeling to describe it.

"I think our team really enjoyed that moment."

Northridge's success gives hope to other CSU programs, such as Sacramento State, that hope someday to savor a taste of March Madness. Cal State Fullerton did likewise last season, earning an NCAA berth for the first time since reaching the Elite Eight in 1978.

Sac State coach Brian Katz, who is recruiting hard to improve on a 2-27 record in his first season with the Hornets, noted some similarities among Northridge, Fullerton and his school.

"Ten, 12 years ago, maybe 15, they (Northridge) were an underfunded program," Katz said. "They improved their funding, gradually built up the program and did what they did.

"Look at both of them (Northridge and Fullerton), and they're state schools, perceived as a two-year campus … Northridge, Fullerton and Sac State are considered commuter campuses, although we're (Sac State) trying to change that."

Northridge and Fullerton don't have football programs, so Sac State faces different funding challenges. There are other similarities, though. While Fullerton plays in 4,000-seat Titan Gym, Northridge (1,600-seat Matadome) and Sac State (1,200-seat Hornets Nest) play in smaller gyms.

Sac State athletic director Terry Wanless said Fullerton and Northridge's recent success can be inspiring.

"It gives you hope," he said. "In both of those cases, you start with your coaching staff. With Brian finally on board, we're totally confident we have a head coach in place (so) we can get to where we want to be."

And that's the NCAA Tournament, as unlikely as that might sound for a team that's never had a winning season in 18 years in Division I.

"My goal has never been to play in the Big Sky tournament; my goal has been to win the Big Sky tournament," Wanless said.

"We all have limitations. I was telling a guy the other day I'd like to have a million-dollar coach. That would mean we had a good program."

Right now, Northridge does. And the payoff comes in a trip to March Madness.

Call The Bee's John Schumacher, (916) 326-5523.