After riding the high of two consecutive 20-win seasons, including a Big West Tournament title and a March Madness appearance in 2023, Cal State Fullerton had high hopes heading into the 2023-24 season. But the momentum came to a screeching halt, as the Titans struggled through a disappointing campaign.
With key players returning this season, the Titans will try to return to their winning ways and compete in a tough Big West Conference.
Mid-Major Basketball is previewing all Big West teams for the 2024-25 season. Up next is the Titans.
Last season
After two consecutive 20-win seasons, Fullerton did a complete 180 last year. The Titans finished 10th in the Big West standings and missed out on the Big West Tournament with a 14-18 record and 7-13 conference mark.
Players
The Titans have made staff and roster adjustments to help bring back the winning ways.
Junior Donovan Oday remains on the 2023-24 squad. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 7.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore last year. Oday is one of seven players returning to the squad this season.
Another returner is forward John Mikey Square. The fifth-year player averaged 4.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season.
Cal State Fullerton added former Big 12 player Kaleb Brown from Missouri, giving them a player with Power Four experience.
JUCO transfer Freddie Cooper joins the Titans this season in Fullerton, California. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game last season at Moberly Area Community College.
Schedule
Fullerton will open the non-conference slate on a four-game road trip, beginning with a visit to Western Athletic Conference champions Grand Canyon University on Nov. 11.
The Titans will then play against four programs with Pac-12 ties during the non-conference schedule: Stanford, Colorado, Oregon State and UCLA.
With the Big West announcing Bold Week, Fullerton will host rivals Long Beach State on Dec. 5 to open up the conference season.
Fullerton will host UC Riverside at the Titans Gym on March 8 to close the regular season. The Titans will try to punch their ticket and return to March Madness through the Big West Tournament on March 12-15.
Prediction
Under coach Dedrique Taylor, the Cal State Fullerton basketball program has had four winning seasons in his 11-year tenure. With the Big West looking like stiff competition again in the 2024-25 season, it won’t be easy for Taylor to have his fifth winning season at Fullerton.
