Road Tests and Home Hope
The University of California’s men’s basketball program is setting its sights on a ten‑win ACC campaign, a benchmark that historically has been enough to punch a ticket to the NCAA play‑in game.
What makes the pursuit realistic is the reality of the schedule. The Bears will soon travel to face some of the conference’s traditional powerhouses — Duke, Louisville, North Carolina, Clemson and SMU — each game representing a probable stumbling block on the road.
In contrast, the home portion of the slate offers a more forgiving landscape. With a series of winnable matchups on their own floor, the team could realistically notch seven victories there, a tally that would put them comfortably within the bubble for an at‑large NCAA invitation.
To sharpen their résumé, Cal must go 3‑1 against a quartet of opponents — Furman, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame. Those games are being circled as the make‑or‑break stretch that could swing momentum in their favor.
A lingering variable is the status of NC State’s roster. Without Will Wade, the Wolfpack appear more vulnerable, and Cal’s previous encounter with Georgia Tech hinted at the team’s capacity to capitalize on such openings.