Cal Poly Enter New Era, San Francisco Aim for Another Strong Season
Cal Poly Mustangs vs San Francisco Dons – 2024-25 College Basketball Showdown
The 2024-25 college basketball season is officially underway, and the action heats up with an exciting non-conference clash between the Cal Poly Mustangs and the San Francisco Dons. Set to take place at The Sobrato Center in San Francisco, California, this matchup marks a fresh start for both teams. With the Mustangs under new leadership and the Dons looking to build on last season’s success, this game promises to be a thrilling contest.
Cal Poly and San Francisco last met on November 10, 2022, when the Dons secured a 60-48 victory. Can the Mustangs under new head coach Mike DeGeorge flip the script, or will the Dons continue their upward trajectory in 2024-25?
Cal Poly Mustangs: A New Era Under Mike DeGeorge
The Cal Poly Mustangs are looking to turn a new page after a challenging 2023-24 campaign. Under the leadership of former head coach John Smith, the Mustangs struggled to find consistency, finishing last season with a dismal 4-28 record and failing to win a single conference game (0-20). As a result, the program parted ways with Smith, and Mike DeGeorge was brought in to lead the team into a new era.
DeGeorge, who comes from a successful tenure at Colorado Mesa University (29-5 record in 2023-24 and an impressive 141-43 record over six seasons), brings a wealth of experience to the Mustangs. He has helped turn Colorado Mesa into a powerhouse, guiding them to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 in 2024. His arrival signals a potential shift in Cal Poly’s fortunes.
However, the Mustangs face significant roster turnover. The departure of Kobe Sanders, who led the team in scoring (19.6 PPG) and rebounding (3.7 RPG), leaves a sizable hole in their offense. Additionally, guard Quentin Jones transferred to Northern Illinois after averaging 9.7 points in his freshman season. Despite these losses, the Mustangs return senior guard Jarred Hyder, a reliable scorer who averaged 10.3 points per game last season.
In terms of team performance, Cal Poly ranked 343rd nationally in scoring offense last season (94.5 points per 100 possessions), and their defense wasn’t much better, surrendering 112.4 points per game (310th). With a new coach and a reshuffled roster, the Mustangs will need to drastically improve on both ends of the floor if they hope to compete this season.
San Francisco Dons: Building on Last Season’s Success
The San Francisco Dons, led by head coach Chris Gerlufsen, enter the 2024-25 season with high expectations. After a solid 2023-24 campaign that saw them finish 23-11 and secure third place in the West Coast Conference (WCC), the Dons aim to continue their upward trajectory. Despite falling short of an NCAA Tournament berth, their performance last season has set the stage for another competitive year.
The Dons were one of the more efficient teams in the country, ranking 100th nationally in scoring offense (110.5 points per 100 possessions) and 37th in scoring defense (allowing 98.4 points per 100 possessions). They boasted a balanced attack, but the loss of Jonathan Mogbo, a key forward who averaged 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, could impact their frontcourt depth. Mogbo was selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors, leaving a void in the paint.
To fill the gap left by Mogbo, the Dons made a key acquisition through the transfer portal, adding Carlton Linguard Jr. from UTSA. Linguard, who averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, will provide much-needed interior scoring and rebounding for the Dons in 2024-25.
The Dons will rely heavily on the leadership of Marcus Williams, a senior guard who averaged 14.0 points and 3.9 assists last season, and Malik Thomas, a junior guard who chipped in 12.4 points per game. With these two veterans leading the way, the Dons will aim to build on their recent success and remain competitive in the WCC, where they will face strong opposition from teams like Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s.
Conclusion
While the San Francisco Dons enter the game as the favorites, the Cal Poly Mustangs are eager to start their season on a positive note under Mike DeGeorge. If the Mustangs can improve their defense and find offensive rhythm quickly, they could surprise the Dons. However, San Francisco’s depth and veteran presence, led by Marcus Williams and Malik Thomas, may be too much for Cal Poly to handle in this non-conference opener.
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