Cal Poly searching for depth in back-to-back losses to open Big West play

Despite Cal Poly’s strong start to the season, which included a landmark win over Stanford, head coach Mike DeGeorge and other members of the men’s basketball staff were always worried about the team’s depth.

The Mustangs have played their last two games without starting guards Issac Jessup and Jarred Hyder, who are both out with injury, and the results were two losses to start Big West play. The Mustangs fell to Cal State Northridge 102-91 on Saturday and 77-66 to UC Davis on the road on Thursday.

Against the Aggies, the Mustangs turned the ball over 33 times. DeGeorge called it a “low-point” in regard to the team’s execution.

“We did get exposed about where we’ve been, and I’m going to be honest,” DeGeorge said over the loss to CSUN. “We got four guys playing at a high level, and whenever we put in one guy with those four, they’re able to fit in well enough because the other four are doing things right.”

However, two of those four, Hyder and Jessup, are now out, which leaves more players on the floor who are not experienced in the up-tempo system.

“The coaches knew it,” DeGeorge said. “We’ve been communicating. I don’t think the players realized how bad it was until this week. And so we certainly have their attention on it now.”

There was some growth on Saturday night from some places on the bench.

Junior Aaron Price Jr. scored seven points, including two dunks and a 3-pointer. Senior guard Hayden Jory scored two points but provided some valuable minutes on defense and drew two offensive fouls on the Matadors.

Utah transfer forward Luka Tarlac has been one of mainstays of the rotation and started some games, but opposing defenses have helped off him because of his lack of shooting. He hasn’t made a 3-pointer on the season. Still, he’s one of the team’s best defenders and can bring the ball up the floor.

Owen Koonce scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He’s one of the veteran players under DeGeorge and has learned the system at Colorado Mesa.

“It’s still like a young group in terms of knowing the system,” Koonce said. “We got a bunch of veterans and stuff, but I just think it’s going to just take time to learn.”

Koonce and DeGeorge both stated they felt the team has been “over-dribbling” and not making decisions quick enough, putting the defense in a bind.

“We’re not going to blame it on those other guys, but we definitely need to find a solid group outside of Jared and Isaac that’s going to take care of things,” Koonce said.

When Koonce, Jessup, Mac Riniker and other players first started playing under DeGeorge, he said there were “serious growing pains.”

“There are just so many little details that come in where the guys’ instincts are to do something different, and then we have to explain to them how what they’re doing is not right,” DeGeorge said. “Basketball is a game of reaction. If you’re thinking, you’re in real trouble. So our defense and our offense are built around allowing them just to react. But until that becomes natural, they’re just gonna make a lot of mistakes.”

With the absence of Jessup and Hyder, freshman guard Peter Bandelj and redshirt freshman guard Guzman Vasilic have started.

Bandelj scored 15 points. He has a knack for getting to the free throw line and converted nine of 11 attempts. On the season he’s made 42 of his 49 free throws.

Vasilic added 16 points and converted four of his nine 3-pointers.

Both guards exemplify what the coaching staff is looking for. Both players stand at 6 foot 4 and have versatility on offense and defense. While there are moments they can improve upon, its clear the two will still be a part of the team’s lineup once Hyder and Jessup return.

Another younger player who could step up and contribute is guard Cayden Ward. Ward, a true freshmen from Stockton, had his redshirt lifted ahead of the UC Davis game with the team searching for more depth.

Over the summer, the team raved about his athleticism and energy. However, Ward injured his elbow on a fall at the end of the UC Davis game, but he’s expected to return in the coming weeks.

The Mustangs don’t continue Big West play until the start of the new year. Their next game comes on Saturday against San Jose State on the road, and the team returns to Mott Athletic Center on Dec. 17 against Denver.

This story was originally published December 8, 2024 at 11:31 AM.