The Cal Poly Mustangs men's and women's basketball teams compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Big West Conference, operating primarily as a mid-major program that faces stiff competition within a challenging conference. While the teams have historically experienced rebuilding cycles and work hard to fight through tough conference schedules against regional powerhouses, they occasionally put together breakthrough seasons and pull off notable upsets, showcasing a resilient identity and competitive spirit on the hardwood of the Mott Athletics Center.