Last season, they had an 18-15 overall record, going 8-8 in the Big West Conference. Last season, they finished with Cal Poly’s highest seeding in conference (2nd). Last season, they had six seniors and two freshmen.
But on Friday, the Mustangs will kick off their season against TCU, and the lineup is going to be different, to say the least.
Seven freshmen.
Three seniors.
But head coach Joe Callero knows that different can be better — and that starts with the ball.
While Cal Poly has been known for its defensive statistics under Callero, the Mustangs have focused on offense throughout the recent weeks of offseason training.
“We’re spending more time offensively than we have in the past,” Callero said. “I feel like we’re ahead of where we’ve been in the past. Our offense has more versatility to it, we’re not relying so much on a person as a concept.”
The Mustangs are coming into this season with what Callero is calling a group of “eight good returners.” They’re also dealing with the loss of six seniors, three of whom led the Mustangs in scoring a year ago.
But the Mustangs are doing their best to make up for lost experience, Callero said.
“They’re catching up on things very quickly,” Callero said. “What I feel like is that we’re getting a lot of carry over from year to year now, in terms of what our principles, philosophies and understandings are.”
Specifically, Brian Bennett and Zach Gordon are catching on quickly, Callero said. Bennett, a freshman who averaged 15.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game during his season at Plainsfield East High School, is expected to help the Mustangs’ front court as a freshman, Callero said. He, along with Gordon — also a freshman from Archbishop Murphy High School — and Joel Awich could help make up for losses such as Will Taylor and Will Donahue, who both graduated last season, Callero said.
“What we are seeing more is what effect eight returners are having, not so much the loss of six seniors,” Callero said. “Brian Bennett has stepped in and taken the starting position at (center); he’s 6-foot-9, 245 pounds, he’s very capable. Zach Gordon is an inch shorter, and 20 pounds lighter but he’s pretty athletic, long. He’s a tough kid. And Joel Awich could give us some time too. Those three are developing pretty well.”
The players agree. Guard Jamal Johnson said the players have brought new parts to the team it hasn’t had in recent memory.
“They all bring in things that we’ve never had before,” Johnson said. “Everybody’s learning. The new guys are picking up things really well.”
Johnson is an example of that, despite being a junior. Johnson is expected to be one of the few players who will fill the void of former point guard Amaurys Fermin, who was tied for second on the team in scoring after averaging 9.8 points per game.
“I’m still learning. I can never be perfect, and Coach Callero is still teaching me new things,” Johnson said. “Definitely have come a long way from freshman year, that’s for sure.”
But while the emphasis has been on offense, the Mustangs are making sure they don’t lose sight of what has been the staple of their play the past few seasons with Callero, forward Chris Eversley said.
“Defense, defense, defense; that’s been our staple since coach has been here,” Eversley said. “Even the offensive drills that we do have some hitting component that we think is just a shooting drill.”
And with emphasis on both sides of the ball, the Mustangs are getting ready for their first game of the season this weekend.
“The offseason is moving fast,” Eversley said. “It’s definitely nice sitting looking at it now, (rather) than looking at it two months ago.”
Jefferson P. Nolan and Brian De Los Santos contributed to this article.