California men’s basketball now knows what its 2026-27 nonconference road looks like, and the early picture is pretty clear: plenty of time at Haas Pavilion, only a pair of trips out of state, and a schedule that mixes first-time opponents with a few old names.
The Golden Bears will play 14 nonconference games before ACC play begins, with 11 of those coming in Berkeley. Their only games away from California will be a neutral-site meeting with Minnesota at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., and a trip to Utah, a former conference mate.
Cal’s slate also brings five programs the Bears have never faced before: Adams State, Radford, Utah Tech, East Texas A&M and Alabama State. Vanderbilt, Southeastern Louisiana and Northeastern will each meet Cal for only the second time.
And then there’s USC, the familiar one. This year’s matchup will be the 273rd all-time meeting between the Bears and Trojans, a series that dates back to the 1916-17 season.
Before the games count, Cal will get two exhibition tuneups - at LMU on Oct. 16 and at Oregon State on Oct. 24.
The official season starts Nov. 2 at Haas against Adams State, and that opener comes as part of a doubleheader with the Cal women’s team, which hosts Washington State before the men take the floor against the Grizzlies. Radford follows two days later for game No.
The Bears’ first headline date after that comes Nov. 8, when they face Houston in the inaugural Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Lake Tahoe, Nev. Cal women’s basketball will also be part of the event.
Then comes a four-game home stand that starts with USC on Nov. 11.
Cal stays in Berkeley for Utah Tech on Nov. 14, East Texas A&M on Nov. 19 and Alabama State on Nov.
The road portion of the schedule resumes Nov. 28 against Minnesota in Sioux Falls, followed by the trip to Salt Lake City to play Utah on Dec. 2.
From there, the Bears finish nonconference play with five straight at Haas. Vanderbilt comes in on Dec. 6, then Southeastern Louisiana on Dec.
10, UC Riverside on Dec. 20 and Northeastern on Dec. 22.
ACC play will begin before the calendar turns, though that full schedule has not yet been released. Tip times and broadcast details are expected in late September or early October.
“California Through and Through” remains the program’s guiding line, with the school describing it as “more than a slogan - it's a statement of identity, pride and our trajectory as Cal Men's Basketball. Just like our state, our program is engaging, diverse and inspiring.
We have a rich history and legacy, and we have a bright future. Being California Through and Through means we celebrate our community and our place within it.”
Fans can support the Golden Bears through the Cal Men's Basketball Excellence Initiative.
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