It’s another podcast episode! Cal Poly basketball teams are at the Big West Tournament this week and Cal Poly football begins their season on Friday. Owen talks to Chris Sylvester and Brint Wahlberg about the upcoming football opener against Southern Utah in what will be Beau Baldwin’s first game as the Cal Poly head coach since he was hired nearly 15 months ago. 

It’s a BIG 2019-20 Big West Men’s basketball preview!

Cal Poly play-by-play man Chris Sylvester and Nick Wynne join the podcast to break-down preseason expectations for all nine Big West teams. Come for the Cal Poly fandom… stay for the breakdown of every single roster and schedule in the conference. 

Luke Meikle – Senior – 6’9”, 209 lbs

By the Numbers:

Luke Meikle celebrates after Cal Poly’s win over UCSB in January. By Owen Main

31 Games

25.5 Minutes per game

8.7 Points per game

4.3 Rebounds per game

1.2 Assists per game

37.2.% Field Goals

33.3% 3 Pointers

85.7 % Free Throws

Luke Meikle was one of the first transfers Cal Poly was able to get to commit to school after they won the NCAA tournament. The fact that he was 6’9″ with a diversified skill set and coming from a power school like Gonzaga seemed to bode really well for Joe Callero and Cal Poly. 

Early in his Cal Poly career, Meikle fought through some lingering injuries. In his senior season, he was one of just five Mustangs to play all 31 games, starting 29. Meikle’s polished offensive moves in the post and confidence from mid-range and three-point range were assets to the Mustangs’ attack during his senior campaign. 

Three freebies FTW

The highlight of Cal Poly’s season, and probably Meikle’s, came when the senior drew a shooting foul with .3 seconds left in Cal Poly’s season opener against UCSB. Meikle made three free throws to secure the first of Cal Poly’s four conference victories.

The craziest part was, when asked about it after the game, Meikle said it wasn’t the first time he’d made free throws with basically no time left to win. He said it was on YouTube. He was telling the truth. 

Meikle scored in double digits in 12 of Cal Poly’s games. He seemed at his best when he drew fouls and got himself to the free throw line, where he was very good. 

Watching Luke for three seasons, it always seemed he was between positions at this level and with this program. Meikle worked extremely hard and was savvy in getting himself decent looks without extreme athleticism. Defensively, he fought and generally gave what he could give. 

During the middle of conference play, Meikle probably found his biggest stride individually, scoring in double-digits in five of seven games, averaging 12 points per game during that stretch. 

I think in a perfect world, Joe Callero might have had the opportunity to play the versatile Meikle at different positions more often or against some of the other team’s reserves. Instead, on a team that didn’t have much in terms of real, back to the basket, offensively polished bigs, Meikle often bared the lion’s share of whatever load was put on Cal Poly’s forwards. 

Going Pro

Meikle’s polished skillset got him a look at the World Wide Invitational, which will give him a chance to show what he’s got and try to play hoops professionally. In reality, Meikle’s offensive game — range out to the three point line and nifty pivot moves around the hoop — could be a better fit for a professional league that is more based on individual matchups than stifling, lane-filling team defense like the Big West turns into late in the year. 

In another universe, Meikle’s sophomore or junior seasons might have been really successful for Cal Poly as a team and for Luke individually. I’m sure if you asked him, basketball didn’t go exactly as planned over the past three years. 

The Cal Poly men’s basketball team has finished 7th place in the Big West standings for five straight seasons. In 2018-19, at least seven names on the 17-18 roster will be gone, including four that have been announced since the season ended. As this school year nears its end, the 18-19 roster has started to come into focus.

Players leaving include seniors Luke Meikle and Victor Joseph, graduating junior Aleks Abrams, and Josh Martin and Trevor John — both of whom announced their intention to graduate and leave the program after the season ended. 

Joining those departures are Eric Toles, who redshirted last season, and walk-on Jared Rice. The departures left a bunch of question-marks, many of which were filled last week.

Incoming Freshmen

Four of the seven open spots will be filled by incoming freshmen. Junior Ballard and Daxton Carr figure to contribute on the wing. Tuukka Jaakkola, a center from Finland was announced later in the school year. Cal Poly is not a deep team in the front court, leading me to believe the Jaakkola will likely be a candidate to play and not redshirt, though I never know with players who I’ve never seen in-person. (I actually never know with anybody…). 

One guy I have seen play in person — a lot — is Mission Prep’s Kyle Colvin. Colvin was announced by Cal Poly after accepting enrollment into school. I’ve seen him play for the last three seasons and think he can be a contributor during his career at Cal Poly. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s a Division I player. Getting him as a presumed walk-on (?) will add depth to the Mustang roster. 

Transfers

Cal Poly has been active in making offers to junior college players. Last week, Job Alexander committed. Alexander is another lanky wing who can shoot from long range. While depth is always a plus, the Mustangs seem to have a lot of those. 

More to come?

Currently, their roster has 12 players on it, one of whom may be a walk-on. So Cal Poly still has 1-2 scholarships available, if they choose to use them (I can’t imagine they wouldn’t). Just four of the 12 players currently listed on Cal Poly’s roster will be upperclassmen next season. We’ll see who the Mustangs have up their sleeve and whether they can get one more impact player. The depth on the front court seems really thin with the current roster construction. Getting some kind of 6’9″ beefcake who can defend and rebound to commit to Cal Poly would seem to be a priority, though getting a real impact player this late seems like it would be difficult. You never know. 

Kevon Davis (left) was announced as a new assistant coach at Cal Poly after Paul Mrozik (second from left) left for a job at Mercer. By Owen Main

Mrozik moving on

After just two seasons, Associate Head Coach Paul Mrozik will be leaving for a job at Mercer. Taking his place on the coaching staff is Kevon Davis, who was Cal Poly’s Director of Player Development last season. Davis joins Sam Kirby and Mitch Reaves on Joe Callero’s staff. 

Kuba Niziol – Junior – 6’7”, 210 lbs

Kuba Niziol’s best two games may have been during Cal Poly’s best two-game stretch of the season. By Owen Main

By the Numbers:

30 Games

18.2 Minutes per game

7.2 Points per game

2.3 Rebounds per game

.53 Assists per game

36.3.% Field Goals

34.5% 3 Pointers

81.4 % Free Throws

Kuba Niziol is a player who came into 2017-18 looking more physically ready to compete at the Division I college level. The lanky, sharpshooting forward from Poland had put on some muscle and looked primed to make a big contribution. During Cal Poly’s best two-game stretch — wins at Santa Clara and vs. College of Charleston in Alaska — Kuba played two of his best games. Against College of Charleston — the Mustangs’ best non-conference win — the junior went 5-5 from downtown en route to 15 points. 

After shooting under 30 percent from three-point range as a sophomore, Niziol was much closer to his true talent level as a 34 percent shooter from downtown. But if three-point shooting is his only dimension, Niziol isn’t tapping into what he can be. Somewhat like our last subject, Marcellus Garrick, Niziol has a lot more potential to be more of a versatile playmaker instead of only a spot-up shooter. 

While his percentage wasn’t great, Niziol isn’t as far away as it seems from being a much more consistent and deadly shooter. He always just seems super relaxed when he releases his shots. 

In the first half of conference play, Kuba missed a game at UC Irvine and sat out all but the final two minutes at CSUN. Coach Joe Callero pointed to a minor injury he picked up during that week. Niziol scored in double digits in three conference games. In Cal Poly’s final game of the season, a frustrating blowout first-round loss to UCSB, Niziol was ejected after committing a flagrant foul under the basket. It seemed like a microcosm of the way the Mustangs’ season ended.

** Story Break** 

I was at the Cal Poly Rec Center sometime probably in like July or August. There were a few Cal Poly basketball players running in a pick-up game. When Niziol and Donovan Fields had to shoot to be the last guy, they went pretty quickly to three-pointers. Nobody was missing. They each made like 20 threes in a row while battling each other. It got to the point where the other 9 guys waiting to play started to run around and shoot on the other hoop to stay loose. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that at a pick-up game. I don’t even remember who missed first, I just remember everyone else saying “finally” and shaking their heads when one of them missed.

Looking forward

Niziol is one of the Cal Poly players whose basketball skills seem tantalizing. In some games and in some situations, Niziol was one of the most dynamic and dangerous players on the floor. At other times, he seemed frustrated by his threes not falling. When he’s got his all-around game working, Niziol has the potential to be a consistent contributor on both ends of the floor on a good team. 

Six would-be seniors on the 2018-19 team have left in past years. Niziol, Garrick, and Donovan Fields are slated to be seniors next year. They’ll all have a chance to break the Mustangs out of the 7th place rut they’ve been in. 

With his length, Kuba has a high ceiling. He is more athletic than you think and his ability to defend multiple positions and rebound could easily improve in a kind of important, understated way year-to-year. Being a 10-12 point, 5 rebound guy while playing good defense and improving his all around game is totally within reach for Niziol in 2018-19. 

*Ed note: Over the next few weeks, we’ll be recapping the season of every Cal Poly player who played in 2017-18.

Marcellus Garrick – Junior – 6’4”, 190 lbs

By the Numbers:

Marcellus Garrick has potential to be an impact player on the 2018-19 iteration of the Cal Poly men’s basketball team. By Owen Main

27 Games

16.7 Minutes per game

6.5 Points per game

1.6 Rebounds per game

.4 Assists per game

41.2.% Field Goals

38.4% 3 Pointers

75.8 % Free Throws

A native of South Carolina, Garrick transferred to Cal Poly from local Alan Hancock College in Santa Maria prior to the 2017-18 season. The junior immediately showed some maturity and made an impact. Garrick scored in double-digits in four of Cal Poly’s first five games and had a season/career high 20 points in 30 minutes during a win over Pepperdine in the Mustangs’ 9th game of the season. When he’s rolling, Garrick’s energy on the floor can be electric. 

As conference approached, Cal Poly’s effectiveness started to wane and Garrick’s stats and playing time faded. Starting January 31st, Garrick did not play in three of five games. Over the last 10 games of the season, Garrick played in 7 contests, averaging just 10 minutes per game. 

Garrick’s versatility is something that should get fans and coaches excited. There are lots of creative ways he can be utilized on both ends of the floor. Garrick’s three-point shooting proved translatable to the next level, but he’s probably contributing best when that is only a part of his offensive repertoire. Garrick’s ability to be a secondary or tertiary decision-maker on offense will go a long way to how effective he is next season. One thing that can improve some is his handle. Joe Callero likes his seniors and guards to be primary  Better understanding how opponents are reacting to his attacking with the ball could help him find open teammates and be a playmaker for the Cal Poly offense. Getting him on the move offensively should probably be a priority.

On the defensive end, Garrick’s strength and length can be a real asset for the Mustangs.

As a recruit from a local junior college, Garrick’s appearance on the Cal Poly roster signaled the first time in the Joe Callero era that the Mustangs have tapped a local junior college (Cuesta or Hancock) recruit. For a low/mid-major program that doesn’t have great grad transfer options and has a hard time getting players into school, it seems like local JUCO interaction is something the Mustangs should be looking at on a more regular basis. Perhaps Garrick will signal more student athletes feeding from local JUCOs. 

Looking forward

For a team that doesn’t have many outspoken leaders, Garrick’s ability to lead as a senior next season could go a long way toward stabilizing the team’s confidence, attitude, and work ethic. Aside from Donovan Fields, Garrick I think has the most potential to be a force of nature on the court for Cal Poly next year. If he can improve his handles a little and make great decisions under duress, it would go a long way toward freeing-up Fields, Cal Poly’s post players, and taking some pressure off incoming players like Junior Ballard and Daxton Carr.

*Ed note: Over the next few weeks, we’ll be recapping the season of every Cal Poly player who played in 2017-18.

Hank Hollingsworth – Redshirt Sophomore – 6’10”, 235 lbs

By the Numbers:

Hank Hollingsworth was one of Cal Poly’s more effective players early in 2017-18. By Owen Main

31 Games

9 Minutes per game

3.1 Points per game

3.4 Rebounds per game

.2 Assists per game

1.7 Blocks per game

63.1.% Field Goals

35.1% Free Throws

Early in the 2017-18 season, Hank Hollingsworth looked as though he was probably Cal Poly’s best defensive player. The 6’10” center led the team in blocks and patrolled help-side in the paint extremely well. 

As the season wore on, teams began to scout a little more and sniffed-out the few offensive sets the big man was super comfortable in. 

In 13 of the team’s first 17 games, Hollingsworth played 20-plus minutes. He wasn’t getting into intense foul trouble — something that plagued him as a freshman — and he generally held his own against other bigs as Cal Poly began the season 7-10. 

In the team’s 17th game of the season, Hollingsworth recorded a career high (and program record) 7 blocks in a 101-97 loss to the Titans at home. 

Following that loss in the team’s second conference game, Hollingsworth’s time on the floor and effectiveness waned. Over the last 15 games, Hollingsworth eclipsed the 20 minute mark just three times, failing to score in eight of the final 15 games. Cal Poly went 2-12 during that span. For a players whose effectiveness was never measured simply by points and rebounds, Hollingsworth’s success seems at least like a kind of retroactive bellwether to this past year’s team. 

Looking forward

Having come onto campus as a tall, skinny freshman, past Callero bigs like Ryan Pembleton and Ben Eisenhardt instantly came to mind. But, unlike those players who didn’t stay on-campus long enough to make real impacts, Hollingsworth did make real and tangible positive strides. He improved his strength, his conditioning, and his confidence in the summer of 2017. 

Hollingsworth is also a company man in the locker room. After his seven-block performance when he didn’t see the floor late in the game and in overtime against Cal State Fullerton, Hollingsworth was pretty impressive at diffusing my question about him not being on the floor:

Whenever head coach Joe Callero talked this season about how great some of his kids’ character was, I always pictured that Hank was front and center there. 

If he continues to develop, Hollingsworth has the potential to be a rotation player on a winning team. He’s got all the off-the-court attributes. In his junior season, he’ll need to put a little more bite into his on-court demeanor. He was a great help defender, but resisting strong post guys like Tommy Rutherford in the post are the real tests. Hank is also going to be in his fourth year on campus. Intangibles like leadership will be increasingly important as well. In his fourth year on campus, Hollingsworth will be alone as the most tenured Mustang. With a team that will have at least six new faces, don’t underestimate the importance of the old guy setting the right tone. 

*Ed note: Over the next few weeks, we’ll be recapping the season of every Cal Poly player who played in 2017-18.

Trevor John – Redshirt Junior – 6’3″, 185 lbs

Trevor John finally saw his in-game three-point percentage match his true ability in 2017-18. It was his last season in green and gold. By Owen Main

By the Numbers:

31 Games

9 Minutes per game

2.9 Points per game

.6 Rebounds per game

.5 Assists per game

43.8% Field Goals

45.2% 3 Pointers

Trevor John was a flat-out winner at the high school level, and his high school coach was, randomly, someone I attended college with. The son of a longtime Pac-12 coach, John’s upside figured to be what Dylan Royer turned into under Joe Callero — a lights-out three-point shooter who could do everything else well enough to keep himself on the court for longer and longer stretches.

John’s shooting finally came into form this season as he got more chances. John was one of just five Mustangs to appear in all 31 games this year, but his time on the court was spotty. With Donovan Fields and Victor Joseph — undersized guards whose defensive versatility was limited — getting the majority of guard minutes, John’s opportunities diminished. When he played, he knew his role was to get up quality shots and spread the floor, but he played the fewest total minutes of any Cal Poly player this season.

John’s best game in 2017-18 came in Cal Poly’s triple overtime loss to UC Davis, when he tallied 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in 16 minutes.

Looking forward

It would have been interesting to see whether John’s time on the court would have increased in his senior season. Instead, John is one of three Mustangs who have announced that they’ll graduate, joining Aleks Abrams and Josh Martin. John redshirted his freshman year, so has been on-campus for four years and he’ll be eligible as a graduate transfer next season according to VerbalCommits.com. For a program looking for a veteran role player who can make distance shots and knows the game, John could be an interesting addition. For Cal Poly, John’s roster spot will be one of at least three that coach Joe Callero now has to try to fill over the offseason.

Trevor has always been one of the most aware players on the roster. He never seems too wrapped up in himself and has been one of the friendlier guys to interact with. Best of luck to Trevor, wherever he ends up.

*Ed note: Over the next few weeks, we’ll be recapping the season of every Cal Poly player who played in 2017-18.

Iziah James – Freshman – 6’0″, 180 lbs

Iziah James could have a few clear paths to improvement and more playing time in 2018-19. By Owen Main

By the Numbers:

26 Games

9.8 Minutes per game

2.2 Points per game

0.8 Rebounds per game

0.7 Assists per game

33.3% Field Goals

36.4% Three Point Field Goals

87.5% Free Throws

In his freshman season, James didn’t see much of the floor. While he appeared in 26 games, he averaged only 9.8 minutes per game. At times, the speed of the game looked quick for him — something that’s not abnormal for some freshmen. James tried to play physical defense. I thought before the season that his physicality reminded me a little of Maliik Love, though James isn’t as quick or physically developed as Love, who was the Big West’s freshman of the year, was at that age. 

James’ shot is more of a set-shot than a jumper and looks a little different, but he shot it at a 36 percent clip that was fourth on the team. James got more playing time during Big West play as his freshman year wore on. 

Looking forward

Point guard Donovan Fields figures to dominate the ball once again in 2018, and with good reason. To get Fields more open looks, Cal Poly might be well-served to have other ball-handlers on the floor. Incoming freshman Junior Ballard figures to get lots of guard/wing minutes, but having James and Fields on the floor at the same time is an option. If James can bring his three-point and field goal shooting percentage closer to 40%, this will open things up a lot more for more playing time. 

As with other players trying to get off the end of the bench, improvements are likely in store for James. His ball security, physical development, decision-making, and consistent shooting are all things that he can improve on, as can all young point guards. If he really wants to make himself indispensable, getting really focused on his own physicality and defense can really be a difference maker. This is a team that needs more physical defensive players and a defensive stopper is a great role for a young player to develop. 

*Ed note: Over the next few weeks, we’ll be recapping the season of every Cal Poly player who played in 2017-18.

Karlis Garoza – Freshman – 6’9″, 230 lbs

By the Numbers:

20 Games

12 Minutes per game

2.0 Points per game

2.8 Rebounds per game

0.6 Assists per game

41% Field Goals

63.5% Free Throws

Listed at 6’9″ and 230 pounds, many had very high hopes for Latvian freshman Karlis Garoza in 2017-18. During his first year in San Luis Obispo, it was hard to get a good read on what he can be on the court. While 6’9″ is a liberal estimate of his height, Garoza’s long arms and timely jumping allowed him to be effective in spurts against opposing centers. Garoza’s aggressive mentality and ability to mix it up physically and resist opponents defensively in the post was good at times early-on this season. 

An early-season upper-body injury and a knee injury midway through the season certainly hampered Garoza’s development. He missed several conference games and was clearly hobbled during the time he was on the floor during Cal Poly’s Big West Tournament loss. Garoza was scheduled for knee surgery after the season.

Looking forward

Assuming he comes back healthy from injury, Garoza is one of just two returning bigs currently on the Cal Poly roster. As things stand, Cal Poly head coach Joe Callero is likely to rely on Garoza for similar production next season to what the Mustangs got from Aleks Abrams in 2017-18. Abrams averaged nearly five rebounds per game while providing the best post defense on a team that was 349th out of 351 Division I teams in defending 2-point shots. If Cal Poly wants to get better in this area, improved post defense — especially in an increasingly physical Big West landscape — would be a good place to start.

*Ed note: Over the next few weeks, we’ll be recapping the season of every Cal Poly player who played in 2017-18.