Toros ready to compete with the best in the CCAA
With an upgraded roster, CSUDH’s Men’s Basketball team anticipates a strong improvement over last season. With the new team, the Toros hope to make waves in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
CSUDH finished the 2022-23 season with an overall record of 12-16, going 8-14 in conference play. Last season, the Toro men struggled with forcing turnovers on defense; the team averaged only 2.6 blocks and 6.1 steals per game – down from 3.6 blocks and 7.1 steals in 2021-22.
Bigger, Stronger, Faster
Men’s head coach Steve Becker said this year’s team brings significant experience and maturity to the court.
“With this recruiting class we added more scoring, playmaking, and added size at multiple positions,” Becker said. “We want to be a tough, physically aggressive defensive team who is going to push the pace in transition and play fast.”
The Toro men’s squad has advanced to the CCAA post-season every year since 2014, but has only won one playoff game (a victory against TEAM in YEAR). Becker hopes this year’s team will make a stronger showing in the conference.
The Toros now boast five former Division I players, with the added heft this season coming from three newcomers: graduate guard Jakob Alamudun (Lehigh University), junior guard Matthew Mayes (Western Washington University), and sophomore forward John Solomon (Montana University) – all of whom stand at least 6-foot-5.
The team will look to Alamudun, Mayes, and Solomon to throw their weight around in the paint and create more opportunities by crashing the boards. Last season, the team averaged 35.1 rebounds per game – two fewer than their opponents.
The Game Plan
Returning for the Toros this season are three of its most important players: graduate guard/forward DJ Guest, senior guard Jordan Hilstock, and graduate student guard/forward Andre Ball. Guest, Hilstock, and Ball accounted for just over 40 percent of the total minutes played – together, they averaged 34.6 points per game.
DJ Guest stated that in the offseason the returning and newer players worked on building team chemistry to prepare for the season.
“This year we have strengthened our team dynamics, communication, and trust among the players and brought in more vocal leaders to the team,” Guest said.
On Nov. 10, the Toros tip-off the regular season on the road against Western Washington University at Lumberjack Arena in Arcata.
