Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to Cal State Dominguez Hills basketball lately, you’ve missed a total transformation. For years, the Torodome in Carson was just another gym in the CCAA. It was a place where local kids played, parents cheered, and the rest of the college basketball world mostly looked the other way.
That’s over.
Everything changed during that wild 2024-25 run. You might remember the headlines: the Toros didn’t just participate; they dominated. They went 30-6, grabbed the CCAA regular-season and tournament titles, and then did something nobody expected. They won the NCAA West Regional for the first time in school history. Watching them push all the way to the national championship game—falling by just one point to Nova Southeastern—was the kind of thing that turns a "commuter school" team into a legitimate powerhouse.
The Steve Becker Era and the New Standard
Coach Steve Becker has basically rebuilt the culture from the floorboards up. He’s been vocal about why this works: it’s not just about finding the highest-rated recruits. It’s about guys who actually stay. In an era where the transfer portal makes rosters look like revolving doors, Becker’s "growth in the program" philosophy is sort of an anomaly.
Last year's success was anchored by Jeremy Dent-Smith. He was an All-American who eventually took his talents to Stanford, which, let’s be real, is a huge loss. But the fact that a CSUDH player is now a featured guard in the ACC tells you exactly where the talent level is sitting these days.
People thought the drop-off after Dent-Smith left would be steep.
It hasn’t been.
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As of January 2026, the Toros are sitting at 11-4. They are currently leading the CCAA in field goal percentage, hitting nearly 48% of their shots as a team. They aren't just winning; they're efficient. David Cheatom, who stayed for his master’s degree despite having D1 offers, is the heart of this squad. He’s averaging around 17 points per game and proving that "mid-major" talent is a label that doesn't mean much when the lights are on.
The New Blood in Carson
You can't talk about Cal State Dominguez Hills basketball right now without mentioning the transfers. Becker didn't just sit on his hands when the roster opened up.
- Dasean Stevens: The transfer from Seattle University has been a nightmare for CCAA defenders.
- Josiah Sanders: Coming over from Cal Poly Humboldt, he’s already notched massive double-doubles, including a 10-point, 11-rebound performance that helped sink Cal Poly Pomona in December.
- Jalen Brown: The Regis University transfer is a scoring machine who recently dropped 15 on Pomona to seal a comeback win.
It's a different vibe. The team is longer, faster, and arguably more talented than the one that went to the Elite Eight, even if they're still building that "telepathic" chemistry the old group had.
The Torodome: More Than Just a Gym
If you’ve never been to a game at the Torodome, you’re missing out on one of the most underrated atmospheres in SoCal. It’s a 4,200-seat arena that feels half that size when the bleachers are packed. When the Toros are on a run, the noise off the hardwood is deafening.
It’s personal there.
Because it’s in Carson, right in the middle of a basketball hotbed, you see the same faces every week. It’s a family gathering with high-stakes sports attached. The school's proximity to Dignity Health Sports Park gives it this weirdly professional-yet-intimate energy.
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Women’s Basketball: The Rebuild is On
While the men are trying to repeat as champions, the women’s side is in a bit of a transition phase. After a successful run last year, Nautica Morrow took over as the interim head coach in July 2025. She’s a Toro alumna, which means she gets the "South Bay tough" mentality better than anyone.
The roster is young. You've got players like Tiara Jones and N'dya Parks trying to find their footing in a conference that doesn't give you any nights off. They are currently middle-of-the-pack, but the defensive intensity is there. They’re forcing turnovers and playing a gritty style of ball that keeps them in games they probably shouldn’t be in.
Why This Matters for the CCAA
For a long time, the CCAA was dominated by the "big three": San Bernardino, Chico State, and Cal Poly Pomona. Cal State Dominguez Hills basketball was the "tough out" that never quite broke through the ceiling.
That ceiling is gone.
The 2025-26 preseason coaches' poll had the Toros as the overwhelming favorites, receiving 11 out of 12 first-place votes. That’s a massive shift in perception. It’s no longer a fluke; it’s a target on their backs. Every time they step onto the court, they're getting the other team's absolute best effort.
Take the recent overtime thriller against Chico State in January 2026. The Toros won 97-92, but they had to claw for every single inch. Or the narrow 97-91 overtime loss to Cal Poly Humboldt. These games show that while the Toros are the kings of the hill, the hill is very slippery.
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Key Stats to Watch This Season
- Rebounding Margin: The Toros are feasting on the glass. In their win against Pomona, they pulled down 21 offensive boards. You can't beat a team that gives itself 21 second chances.
- Free Throw Efficiency: David Cheatom is a master at drawing contact. Last year in the tournament, he went 26-of-31 from the stripe. This year, he's continuing that trend, essentially living at the free-throw line during the fourth quarter.
- Defensive Field Goal %: CSUDH is currently holding opponents to under 42% shooting in conference play.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think because CSUDH is Division II, the basketball isn't "elite." That's a mistake. Watch the way these guys move the ball. Look at the athleticism of a guy like Kevin Kogbara in the paint. The gap between high-level D2 and low-to-mid D1 has never been smaller, and the Toros are the poster child for that shift.
They play with a chip on their shoulder because they know most of the world still thinks of them as a "small school." But when you’re winning 30 games and playing for national titles, that "small" label starts to feel pretty ridiculous.
Practical Steps for Toro Fans
If you want to support or follow the team, here is the move:
- Check the Live Stream: Most CCAA games are on the CCAA Network. It’s a subscription service, but it’s the only way to catch the road games in places like Arcata or Seaside.
- Show up for the Rivalry Games: When Cal State LA comes to the Torodome, it’s a different level of intense. The next home matchup is January 24, 2026. Be there early.
- Watch the Transfers: Keep an eye on Dasean Stevens. He’s the "X-factor" that determines if this team makes another Elite Eight run or gets bounced early.
The Toros aren't just a local story anymore. They are a national program that happens to be located in Carson. Whether they can finish the job this year and grab that elusive national title remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: nobody is looking the other way anymore.
To stay current on the 2026 postseason push, keep an eye on the CCAA standings where the Toros are currently battling for the top seed to ensure home-court advantage throughout the conference tournament.