As the Cal men’s basketball team hits the midpoint of its first ACC campaign, the ride’s been anything but smooth. A pair of statement wins - first over then-No.
14 North Carolina, then a rivalry triumph over Stanford - gave fans a glimpse of what this team could be. But those highs have been bookended by some frustrating lows, including a gut-punch 63-61 loss to Florida State on Wednesday that once again leaves the Bears outside the NCAA Tournament picture, at least in most projections.
Now, with their Florida swing on the line, Cal faces another stiff test: a Saturday showdown at the Watsco Center against a 17-4 Miami Hurricanes squad that’s more than capable of running teams out of the gym.
And while Miami’s football team may have stolen headlines earlier this month with a trip to the national title game, don’t sleep on the Hurricanes on the hardwood. This team is deep, disciplined, and dangerous - a challenge that will demand Cal’s best on both ends of the floor.
This will be just the second-ever meeting between these two programs. The first?
An overtime thriller at Haas Pavilion last season that Cal edged out 98-94. DJ Campbell dropped 22 points in that one - second-most on the team - and while he’s now coming off the bench, head coach Mark Madsen would love to see that kind of spark from his veteran guard again, especially with the Bears in need of a bounce-back.
One big question heading into Saturday is who starts at the five. Senior center Lee Dort, who had started every game this season, missed the Florida State matchup with a lower leg injury.
His status for Saturday remains uncertain. In his place, Milos Ilic stepped up on the boards - pulling down 11 rebounds - but fouled out, leaving Cal thin in the paint late in the game.
Against a Miami frontcourt anchored by Ernest Udeh Jr., the Bears can’t afford to be shorthanded or undisciplined down low.
Udeh is a force. At 6’11”, he’s the second-best rebounder in the ACC and a top-10 shot blocker. He’s the backbone of a Miami defense that ranks 34th nationally in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency - not exactly a welcoming environment for a Cal offense that’s been inconsistent in recent weeks.
That inconsistency starts with junior guard Dai Dai Ames. When he’s on, he’s electric - just ask North Carolina.
But when he disappears, so can the Bears’ offense. That was the case against Florida State, where Cal struggled to generate rhythm late in a tight game.
Ames is the engine, and if he’s not firing, someone else has to step up.
Graduate forward John Camden and sophomore guard Justin Pippen are two names to watch. Camden was the hero against Stanford, hitting big shots and bringing energy on both ends.
But in Tallahassee, he was streaky again - a pattern that’s plagued him this season. Pippen, meanwhile, has quietly become one of Cal’s most reliable perimeter shooters.
He’s hit a three in 14 straight games and has a knack for knocking down timely buckets that spark momentum. However, a slow start against Florida State contributed to a 15-point hole the Bears had to dig out of - and couldn’t.
If Ames or Camden struggle again Saturday, Pippen may need to carry more of the load. Miami’s defense won’t make that easy, but the Bears will need someone to steady the offense if they want to keep pace.
On the other end, Cal’s defense will have its own hands full. Miami forward Malik Reneau is a matchup nightmare, averaging 19.1 points on nearly 57% shooting in under 28 minutes per game - fifth-best scoring mark in the ACC.
And guard Tre Donaldson is the Hurricanes’ floor general, putting up 16.1 points and 6.2 assists a night. In Miami’s recent 79-70 win over Stanford, the duo combined for 38 points on 13-of-24 shooting, while Udeh added nine rebounds and three blocks for good measure.
This is a Miami team that doesn’t beat itself. Cal will need to play one of its most complete games of the season - smart, physical, and locked in for 40 minutes - to come out of South Florida with a win that could change the tone of their season.
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. The Bears have a shot to right the ship - but they’ll need to bring their best to do it.