As I sometimes like to do, here’s a “what we learned” about the Cal Poly men’s basketball team after their 70-68 win over UCLA.

Freshman Brian Bennett has impressed in his first four college games. By Will Parris

The Mustangs are resilient.

We already knew about this team’s maturity, but it’s becoming more and more clear how mentally resilient this team is. In his fourth season, Cal Poly head coach Joe Callero has a team filled with almost all of his own recruits, and it manifests itself in lots of ways.

One small example came at the beginning of Cal Poly’s methodical destruction of the 18-point deficit. UCLA coach Ben Howland called a time out with 7:14 left in the game and UCLA up by 11 at 59-48.

Chris Eversley can play with anyone. 

In contrast to UCLA’s star players, Chris Eversley played inspired, scrappy basketball. Cal Poly’s leading scorer on the season shook off a 2-11 first half to score 15 points and grab 10 rebounds. His stat line mirrored UCLA’s top player, Shabazz Muhammad, who also notched 15 and 10 in the game.

Brian Bennett can be a huge factor right away.

One of the most fun things about college basketball is the necessary turnover of players. Each year, teams have a number of players who are either brand new to the program or who have to work their way into new roles. This year’s Cal Poly team has several players who fall into some version of this. Bennett is just the most exciting. At 6’9″, Bennett pushed around UCLA’s big men all night en route to an efficient 7-10 shooting night.

Kyle Odister has his swagger back.

If you read anything I write about football, you might know that I think swagger is important. During his freshman year, by necessity, Kyle Odister played point guard and shot the ball from all over the court. Odister’s lack of a conscience and fearless play helped him earn Big West All Freshman Team honors that season.

Odister at the point might give Cal Poly its most dynamic offensive lineup.

Odister has experience playing point guard and brings a scoring element to the position that the Mustangs just don’t get with Jamal Johnson. Johnson does all the things Joe Callero asks of a point guard in a game that is grinding, but when you need to spread out longer, more athletic teams, playing Odister at the point over Johnson or Drake U’u seems to be the right fit. It will be interesting to see whether conference games against more athletic teams like Long Beach State force Callero to use the offensively capable lineup of Odister, Royer, O’Brien, Eversley, and Bennett.

Dylan Royer has proven that he can get open and get his shot off against even the longest and most athletic teams. By WIll Parris

You can’t leave Dylan Royer open.

A knock on Dylan Royer in the past has been his inability to get his own shot against longer, more athletic defenders. This seems to be something he has improved over the past year.

Against UCLA, Royer ran off screens, freeing himself for open jumpers throughout the second half. He even pulled a quick-release version for his final 3-pointer that tied the game on Sunday night. If Royer can be a player other teams have to not just be aware of, but game-plan for, Cal Poly’s offense could continue to open up for front-court players like Chris Eversley and Bennett.

Morgan continues to struggle.

Redshirt freshman Reese Morgan continues to struggle to find his shooting touch. In his first four games the fourth-team Parade high school All-American is 2-11 from the field including 1-10 from 3-point range. Anytime a shooter has a leg injury (Morgan has had two recent knee surgeries), it’s going to effect his shot, and Morgan is no exception. We saw it with Odister last season and my gut feeling is that, like Odister did last year, Morgan will take some time this season to get his sea legs under him.

That being said, Morgan remains fearless, continuing to take open shots when he has them. He just doesn’t look comfortable with his legs under him right now when he shoots. For a player who will eventually make his mark from the outside, Cal Poly fans should hope that, like Odister, Morgan’s confidence stays high until his body catches back up.

Callero’s plan continues to be validated.

Since Joe Callero took over (the past four years), Cal Poly has played at Wisconsin, Cal, USC (twice), UCLA (twice), DePaul, TCU, and San Diego State (when they were ranked 10th). The Mustangs still have games this season at St. Mary’s on Saturday and at Washington. Wins the past two seasons at the Galen Center and now at Pauley Pavilion validate Callero’s plan for the program. It also justifies the relentlessly positive attitude the coach has fostered in his players throughout the past few seasons.

Callero himself will tell you that real validation will come if/when Cal Poly makes the NCAA Tournament field. Continuing to play high major teams can only enhance their chances of winning three games in a row in the Big West Tournament. In the mean time, it will be interesting to see how close to the mark the Mustangs’ preseason ranking of 7th in the Big West ends up being.

Dylan Royer talked about the performance that earned him Big West Conference Player of the Week

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHNufu9LI60

The name Dylan always makes me think of this old Chapelle’s show bit. “Who are the 5 best rappers of all time? Think about it. Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan and Dylan. Because I spit hot fire.”

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9lg6HqJeY0

Brian Bennett talked about his team hanging together and scrapping their way back

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNQGDvoX_cU

Joe Callero had a smile from ear to ear.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFl5V_dHcQA

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Cal Poly's loss on Thursday night dropped their Big West Conference record to 4-6. Photo by Will Parris.

The loss drops Cal Poly to 4-6 in the Big West Conference.

Senior Will Taylor scored 10 points to pace the Mustangs, who allowed the Titans to shoot a whopping  57.4% from the field including 65.2% in the second half.

Fansmanship had not one, but TWO photographers at the game covering the action. Thanks to Will Parris and Bryce Ashland – both of whom (it seems) got as many great shots as the Titans… .

What? Not even a chuckle? Don’t worry, I won’t quit my day job.

(Click the pictures below to scroll through)

Photos by Will Parris:

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Photos by Bryce Ashland

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