The blue and gold will embark on their first road trip of the season after splitting the first four games of the year at home. The team showed signs of potential, with what could become high efficiency from behind the arc and suffocating defense on the other end. But there were also some low points in Cal’s game. Consistency seems like it will be a key component shaping how the rest of the season pans out for the blue and gold.

Now as the Bears head down to San Juan Capistrano, California for three games over Thanksgiving break, it will be interesting to see how they perform outside of the comfort of Haas Pavilion. The last game of the road trip will be Cal’s biggest test of the season thus far.

Cal will take on the San Diego State Aztecs, a decorated program known for its defensive prowess and grit. NBA players such as Kawhi Leonard and Jalen McDaniels are part of the team’s notable alumni.

SDSU has always had a pretty solid program and winning culture, but over the last few seasons it seems they have turned it up a notch. Last year, the team finished with a 32-7 record capped off with a Final Four run in the NCAA tournament.

This year the Aztecs are off to a quick 4-1 start, looking to continue to boast impressive regular season records and be a contender in late March. They are returning some experienced players that helped lead them on their deep run in the tournament last year. Jaedon LeDee and Lamont Butler are with the team for another year and will be a tough test for the Cal defense.

This SDSU team has experience and talent that the blue and gold have yet to face this season. Cal will have to lean on its experienced players in transfer who has been impressive to start the season, as well as Jalen Cone. Both are averaging just over 15 points a game this season and have been solid on the defensive end.

Cal will also need another stellar performance from junior transfer Jaylon Tyson who has been on a tear to start the season. Coming over from Texas Tech along with Aimaq, Tyson has been averaging a double-double this season with 20 points and 10 rebounds a game in his first three games.

It cannot be only Tyson, but a team effort on both sides of the ball, but particularly on the defensive end. The Bears have done well winning the rebounding battle this year, out-rebounding their opponents by an average of nine per game. That margin will be extra important as to not allow SDSU second chance opportunities. SDSU is a team that likes to attack the rim and can rebound with the best of them, so it will be vital that Cal keeps their opponent off the glass if they want any sort of chance to win this game.

Cal is sitting at .500 this year with a record of 2-2. It will play two games down in San Juan Capistrano before facing the Aztecs on Saturday, Nov. 25.