BERKELEY, California – After sweeping two road games to start Southland Conference play, the Northwestern State men's basketball team returns to non-conference play Saturday, doing something no Demon team has done in the past.
 
The Demons complete their longest road trip of the season in terms of both miles and games at 2 p.m. Central Standard Time when they face California, a first-time opponent, inside Haas Pavilion and streaming live on ACC Network X.
 
While Northwestern State (4-5) enters the game on a two-game win streak, the Golden Bears (6-4) enter on a different trajectory.
 
"Cal's a good team," second-year head coach Rick Cabrera said. "They have great balance, great point guard play and great wings. They're going through a rough stretch. They were 6-1 and have lost their last three. We expect a knockout punch. Our job is to handle it and punch back, which we will. I know my team, and I know they're going to fight. Any ACC team is a good team. To have a chance to win it, we have to be tough and play hard."
 
The Demons come into the game having held Houston Christian to 57 points in a Dec. 7 victory. It marked the fewest points Northwestern has surrendered to a Division I opponent this season.
 
Twice in the past four games, the Demon defense has limited an opponent to fewer than 60 points. Across those four games, the Demons are allowing an average of 65.5 points and have won three of four.
 
As Northwestern relies on its "staple," the Demons have seen numerous players deliver game-changing offensive performances.
 
Steady throughout the first nine games of the season, however, has been senior point guard Jon Sanders II, who leads the Demons in scoring at 14 points per game and delivered the game-sealing steal and three-point play at HCU.
 
Sanders' steal, layup and ensuing free throw came two days after he set up Love Bettis' game-winning shot at UIW with the final of his career-best six assists.
 
Saturday's game will be a bit of a homecoming for Sanders, who began his collegiate career at East Los Angeles College before spending the 2023-24 season at Coastal Carolina.
 
"Jon's been phenomenal," Cabrera said. "He's been playing well, but he's also a good leader. When other teams make runs, he keeps us together. He stays calm. He's an extended coach on the floor. He likes our chances. That's how confident he is, and I wouldn't want him any other way.
 
"He's excited to get back out there and possibly see some old friends. I know there's about four to five hours (between Los Angeles and Berkeley), but he may have some people come to the game."
 
In addition to Sanders, another Demon may be overcome with a sense of déjà vu when he sees the Golden Bears.
 
Senior Addison Patterson spent the 2018-19 season at Oregon where his best scoring game in Pac-12 play came against California when Patterson tallied 13 points in a 90-76 Ducks victory.
 
Patterson returns to the West Coast following his most productive all-around game as a Demon, scoring 25 points and recording a team-high three steals in the win at HCU to earn his first "Toughness Timbz," the talisman Cabrera and the Northwestern staff awards to the player who exemplifies doing the dirty work in each game.
 
"He's a little excited to get back out west," Cabrera said. "Addison has been playing well. He's getting back to his old self. He's letting the game come to him and not forcing things. He's a very capable defender. He's been good in spots this year, especially in our defense. He knows how to play the wing and eliminate corner passes. One thing that goes unnoticed about Addi is he's very good guarding one on one. Sometimes you have to challenge him, but he always steps up to the challenge."