Why Cal Poly Basketball Is Suddenly the Most Exciting Ticket in California

One year ago, the conversation around Cal Poly men’s basketball focused on a grim statistic: a 4-28 record. It was a program rock bottom that seemed impossible to climb out of. Fast forward to February 2026, and the Mustangs aren’t just winning—they are rewriting the offensive playbook for mid-major basketball.

The DeGeorge Effect

When head coach Mike DeGeorge arrived in San Luis Obispo, he inherited a team that struggled to score 63 points a game. His solution? A complete philosophical overhaul centered on pace, space, and a relentless barrage of three-pointers.

The results have been nothing short of a shock to the system. Under DeGeorge’s “green light” offense, the Mustangs have transformed into one of the highest-volume perimeter shooting teams in the nation. The 2024-25 campaign marked a historic 12-win improvement—one of the largest turnarounds in Division I history—and established a new identity that has carried into the current season.

Beyond the Box Score

It isn’t just about the wins; it’s about the watchability. The Mustangs are routinely dropping 90+ points, turning the Mott Athletics Center into a frenzy of transition threes and high-octane possessions.

• The 3-Point Revolution: Cal Poly is now averaging double-digit made threes per game, a stat that puts them in the elite company of the country’s most dangerous offenses.
• Roster Buy-In: Players like Owen Koonce and Jarred Hyder have thrived in a system that values quick decision-making over rigid set plays.

The Impact

For a program that was once dormant, this resurgence is proof that the right culture can flip the script overnight. Cal Poly has gone from the bottom of the Big West standings to a team that no one wants to face in March. Whether they make a deep postseason run or not, one thing is undeniable: The Mustangs are finally running wild.