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Cal vs. Syracuse: NCAA Tournament Hopes on the Line
11 Feb
Summary
- California aims to improve NCAA Tournament seeding.
- Syracuse seeks to break a six-game losing streak.
- Both teams struggle with rebounding, ranking third-worst in the ACC.
California travels to Syracuse on February 11, 2026, for an Atlantic Coast Conference game with NCAA Tournament aspirations. The Golden Bears (17-7, 5-6 ACC) are looking to rebound from a significant 77-55 home loss to No. 20 Clemson. Despite the setback, Cal has improved its NET ranking to 58th, bolstered by leading scorer Dai Dai Ames and consistent performer Justin Pippen.
Meanwhile, the Syracuse Orange (13-11, 4-7 ACC) are struggling, having lost six of their last seven games, including a recent 72-59 defeat to Virginia. Head coach Adrian Autry emphasizes the need for his team to reset. Key players Donnie Freeman and William Kyle will be crucial for Syracuse, especially as both teams share struggles with rebounding, ranking third-worst in the ACC.
Cal's leading rebounder, Lee Dort, remains sidelined with a thigh injury, a key absence for the team. This matchup presents an opportunity for both programs to gain crucial conference momentum and improve their postseason résumés before the tournament selections.
