California heads to Syracuse on Wednesday looking to get back on track - and back into the NCAA Tournament picture - after a tough home loss to No. 20 Clemson.
The Golden Bears, sitting at 17-7 overall and 5-6 in ACC play, are still in the thick of the bubble conversation, but there’s no question they need to stack some wins down the stretch. Wednesday’s matchup against a struggling Syracuse squad offers a prime opportunity to do just that.
Cal’s 77-55 loss to Clemson was a reality check. It was their second-worst defeat of the season, only behind a 24-point loss at Virginia back in early January. For a team that’s been trending upward - they’ve climbed from 72nd to 58th in the NET rankings - the lopsided result served as a reminder that there’s still work to be done.
Head coach Mark Madsen didn’t sugarcoat the expectations.
“Our goal is to dominate every single game on both sides of the ball,” Madsen said after the game. “To have a dominating defensive performance and a dominating offensive performance. That’s always the goal and the standard.”
That standard will be tested against a Syracuse team that’s also searching for answers.
The Orange (13-11, 4-7 ACC) are reeling, having dropped six of their last seven games, including a 72-59 loss at Virginia over the weekend. Head coach Adrian Autry acknowledged the frustration but emphasized the need for a short memory.
“These losses are difficult and everyone’s frustrated,” Autry said. “Tomorrow, we gotta reset and get ready for our next opponent.
That’s the schedule. We still have games left... this is a resilient group, a tough group, and I’m sure that we’ll respond.”
For Cal, the offense continues to run through freshman guard Dai Dai Ames. He’s averaging 17.0 points per game and has scored in double figures in six straight contests. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s doing it with poise, showing the kind of shot-making and confidence that coaches love to see in March.
Right alongside him is Justin Pippen, who’s been as steady as they come. Pippen has scored in double figures in 11 straight games and tied for the team lead with five rebounds against Clemson.
With big man Lee Dort still sidelined due to a thigh injury - he’s missed the last four games - Pippen’s contributions on the glass have been crucial. Dort’s absence is no small thing; he leads the team with 7.7 rebounds per game and gives Cal a physical presence in the paint that they’ve struggled to replace.
That’s where Syracuse might look to exploit a weakness. Both teams have had their issues on the boards - they’re each getting outrebounded by 1.7 per game, which ranks among the worst in the ACC - but the Orange have a potential X-factor in William Kyle.
The 6-foot-10 forward is averaging 7.4 rebounds per game (11th in the ACC) and leads the conference in blocks at 2.7 per contest. If Kyle can control the paint and protect the rim, it could tilt the game in Syracuse’s favor.
Offensively, the Orange are hoping for a bounce-back from Donnie Freeman. The freshman phenom leads the team in scoring at 17.7 points per game on nearly 49% shooting, but he struggled mightily against Virginia, finishing with just five points on 2-of-11 shooting - his lowest output of the season. Syracuse needs him to be aggressive and efficient if they’re going to keep pace with Cal’s backcourt.
This is a matchup of two teams with talent, but also with flaws. Cal is trying to keep its tournament hopes alive, while Syracuse is looking to stop the bleeding and salvage what’s left of its season. Expect a battle - and for both teams, the stakes are only getting higher.