After a tough 0-2 road swing against a pair of top-25 opponents, Syracuse basketball returns home this week with a chance to reset and regroup inside the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange will host California on Wednesday night, followed by a Saturday afternoon matchup with SMU-two important opportunities to get back on track as the season enters its final stretch.
First up is a reunion of sorts. When Syracuse tips off against Cal, they’ll be facing a familiar face in Chris Bell.
The former Orange forward is now in his senior season with the Golden Bears after transferring out west, and he’s been making the most of his final collegiate campaign. Bell’s averaging 13.0 points per game while shooting 44.0% from the field, 35.9% from deep, and a lights-out 87.5% at the free-throw line.
It's a solid stat line that reflects his growth since leaving the Hill.
This matchup also adds another chapter to a short but notable series history between the two programs. Syracuse holds a 4-1 edge all-time against Cal, including a nine-point win on the road last season. And longtime fans will remember the 2013 NCAA Tournament second-round showdown, where the Orange knocked off the Golden Bears 66-60 en route to a Final Four run.
Game Details The Orange (13-11 overall, 4-7 ACC) and the Golden Bears (17-7 overall, 5-6 ACC) are set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 11, with the game airing on ESPNU.
Cal’s Resume Don’t let the unranked status fool you-Cal has put together a solid season.
Their 17 wins include victories over UCLA, Utah, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Stanford, Miami, and Georgia Tech. That’s a mix of non-conference and ACC wins that’s helped them earn a No. 58 ranking in the NCAA’s NET metric, making this a quadrant-two opportunity for Syracuse, which currently sits at No. 71 in the NET.
Over at KenPom, these teams are practically neck-and-neck, with Cal at No. 69 and Syracuse right behind at No. 70.
Stat Breakdown The Golden Bears are averaging 77.8 points per game while allowing 71.5.
They’re a well-rounded offensive unit, shooting 44.6% from the field, 37.3% from beyond the arc, and 78.5% at the line. They also pull down 34.6 rebounds and dish out 13.8 assists per game, while keeping turnovers to a manageable 10.2 per contest.
Syracuse, meanwhile, is putting up 75.1 points per game and giving up 70.8. The Orange are slightly better from the field at 47.1%, but there’s a stark contrast at the free-throw line-Syracuse is hitting just 63.6% of its foul shots.
From deep, they’re connecting at a 33.5% clip. Defensively, the Orange are averaging 6.7 steals and 6.1 blocks per game-both areas where they’ve shown flashes of game-changing ability.
Key Matchup to Watch: The Perimeter This one could come down to how well Syracuse defends the three-point line.
Cal ranks 34th nationally in three-point shooting percentage, and they’ve got multiple shooters who can burn you if left open. Syracuse’s defense against the deep ball has been shaky, ranking just 111th in the country at 32.2%.
If the Orange can close out effectively and limit Cal’s clean looks from beyond the arc, they’ll give themselves a real shot to control the tempo.
What’s at Stake This is more than just a midweek non-conference game-it’s a chance for Syracuse to pick up a quality win and build momentum heading into the weekend.
With the ACC standings still fluid and postseason positioning on the line, every matchup counts. And with a familiar face returning to the Dome in Chris Bell, there’s a little extra juice in the air for this one.
Bottom line: Syracuse needs to defend home court. Cal can score, they can shoot, and they’ve got confidence. But if the Orange can tighten up on defense, especially at the arc, and find a rhythm offensively, they’ll have a good shot at snapping the skid and getting back in the win column.