Cal announces full nonconference men's basketball schedule

Cal will play 11 of its 13 nonconference games at home during Mark Madsen‘s third season at the helm. In all, the Bears will only leave the Bay Area one time before Christmas.

Madsen’s program announced its full nonconference schedule Monday. A previously announced matchup with UCLA is among the highlights. Plus, the Bears will travel to square off with Kansas State in their lone true road game of nonconference play.

Utah is the marquee home opponent for Cal this season during nonconference play.

Former Pac-12 foes on the schedule

UCLA and Utah on the schedule for the Bears certainly brings some familiarity. Cal played both teams in Madsen’s first season with the Bears going 1-2 in those games. The team will be looking to erase some struggles against the Utes when the meet on Dec. 2.

Cal has lost six consecutive games against Utah with the last win coming on Jan. 16, 2021. The Bears knocked off the Utes 72-63 in that matchup in Salt Lake City. The last home victory for Cal over Utah came in early 2020 when the Bears upended the Utes in overtime.

Current Cal graduate assistant Matt Bradley scored 21 points in that victory on Feb. 29. The Bears hold an all-time record of 11-16 against the Utes.

The matchup with the Bruins was announced earlier this month. It will pair the two longtime in-state foes against one another for the first time since the Pac-12 split. Cal and UCLA have a long history, and Madsen is excited about the two teams meeting up once again this fall.

“We’re thrilled to renew the Cal-UCLA rivalry on such a big stage as part of the Empire Classic,” Madsen said in a press release on July 16. “Anytime you have these two schools and programs meet, it brings great energy – and to do it in Chase Center, right here in the Bay Area, makes it even more special. It’s an incredible opportunity for our teams and fans, and we’re excited to represent Cal in one of the NBA’s premier venues.”

Cal split its final two meetings with UCLA as members of the Pac-12. The Bears were able to snag a 66-57 win in their final matchup at Pauly Pavilion on Jan. 6, 2024. This year’s nonconference matchup will take place at Chase Center in San Francisco.

It will be the showcase game of the Empire Classic on Nov. 25. Cal is 26-41 all time against the Bruins.

Kansas State will be Cal’s lone road game in nonconference play

Madsen has loaded up on home games this fall. However, a trip to Manhattan, Kansas is on the schedule.

The Nov. 13 matchup will mark the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs. Cal currently sits with a 1-4 record in the series.

Four of the five previous matchups have taken place in the Bay Area. So, the trip will mark only the second game in Manhattan for the Bears. They last met on Nov. 11, 2022 in a game won by the Wildcats. Devin Askew scored 17 points to help Cal erase a 15-point halftime deficit in the 63-54 loss.

Cal lost 82-75 in its lone previous matchup at Kansas State on Dec. 9, 2007. Ryan Anderson scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in that contest.

Jerome Tang’s squad finished the season with a 16-17 record last season. The Wildcats reached the second round of the Big 12 Tournament before falling to Baylor.

Bears preparing for intriguing ACC home slate

The nonconference home schedule is light on marquee opponents. However, the Bears are set to make up for that when they enter ACC play. Cal will host some of the top teams in the conference this season.

That includes matchups with Duke and North Carolina at Haas Pavilion. Clemson, Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and SMU will play in Berkeley this season as well.

Madsen expressed his excitement for the upcoming conference slate following Cal’s exit from the ACC Tournament in the spring.

“If there’s ever a year for season tickets at Cal, this is the year,” he said. “These are going to be sellouts. It’s going to be an unbelievable environment, and we’re going to be playing high-level basketball against the top teams.”

Cal’s complete 2025-26 nonconference schedule

Home games in bold

Nov. 3 – vs. Cal State Bakersfield

Nov. 6 – vs. Wright State

Nov. 10 – vs. Cal State Fullerton

Nov. 13 – at Kansas State

Nov. 18 – vs. Presbyterian (Empire Classic)

Nov. 21 – vs. Sacramento State (Empire Classic)

Nov. 25 – vs. UCLA (Empire Classic at Chase Center)

Dec. 2 – vs. Utah

Dec. 6 – vs. Pacific

Dec. 9 – vs. Dominican

Dec. 13 – Northwestern State

Dec. 19 – Morgan State

Dec. 21 – Columbia