Casper Ware, the only returning player in the nation to win his conference's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, had a breakout performance in Long Beach State's 86-76 win over No. 9 Pittsburgh.
Ware had 28 points on 18 shots to go with six assists.
"I wouldn't trade Casper Ware for any point guard in the country," Long Beach State coach Dan Monson said before the game. "He's going to go down, for me, as one of my favorite players I've ever coached."
Pitt coach Jamie Dixon recalls Ware's father Casper Ware Sr.
"I remember his dad," Dixon said. "He was legendary player in L.A. back in the day, when I was growing up."
Ware Sr. combined excellent quickness with deep range.
"His kid," Dixon said, "is very similar to him."