The California Golden Bears are on the NCAA Tournament bubble, boasting a 17-7 record and a 5-6 mark in the ACC, with a quad record of 4-5 in Quad 1 games, 0-2 in Quad 2, 5-0 in Quad 3, and 7-0 in Quad 4. They're looking to bolster their resume with a quality win over the Syracuse Orange, who are in dire need of a signature victory to enhance their own tournament chances, having gone 1-7 in Quad 1 games and 1-2 in Quad 2. With Syracuse's recent form showing a 1-2 record over their last 3 games, they'll be eager to turn things around against the Golden Bears. California, meanwhile, has gone 2-1 over their last 3 games, with their most recent win coming by a margin of 12 points.
Syracuse Orange Boast a 9-4 Record at the JMA Wireless Dome This Season
The game is scheduled for February 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET, and will take place at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN, with streaming options available through the ESPN app.
The California Golden Bears have compiled a 17-7 overall record, with a 5-6 mark in the ACC, and are currently ranked 58th in the NET rankings. Their quad record stands at 4-5 in Quad 1 games, 0-2 in Quad 2, 5-0 in Quad 3, and 7-0 in Quad 4. Over their last 3 games, California has averaged 75.3 points per game, while allowing 69.7 points per contest. They've been led by their strong 3-point shooting, converting 37.4% of their attempts from beyond the arc. With a tournament bid on the line, the Golden Bears want to capitalize on their 74.5% free throw shooting and limit Syracuse's offense, which averages 73.1 points per game.
Key Matchups
The Syracuse Orange, with a 13-11 overall record and a 4-7 mark in the ACC, are ranked 71st in the NET rankings. Their quad record is 1-7 in Quad 1 games, 1-2 in Quad 2, 4-2 in Quad 3, and 7-0 in Quad 4. Syracuse has struggled on the road, going 2-6 in away games, but has been more successful at home, posting a 9-4 record at the JMA Wireless Dome. Over their last 3 games, the Orange have averaged 71.3 points per game, while allowing 75.3 points per contest. They've been hindered by their 41.9% field goal percentage, but have excelled on the glass, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 3.5 boards per game. With their tournament hopes hanging in the balance, Syracuse must improve their 32.1% 3-point shooting and contain California's high-powered offense.
The California Golden Bears and Syracuse Orange will clash in a matchup that pits California's 37.4% 3-point shooting against Syracuse's 2-3 zone defense, which has allowed opponents to shoot 34.5% from beyond the arc. The Golden Bears want to exploit Syracuse's vulnerability on the perimeter, where they've allowed 8.5 made 3-pointers per game. On the other hand, Syracuse will aim to utilize their size advantage in the paint, where they've outscored opponents by an average of 4.2 points per game. The Orange must contain California's leading scorer, who averages 18.5 points per game, and limit the Golden Bears' 48.5% field goal percentage. With the game expected to be a closely contested, high-scoring affair, the team that can dictate the pace and control the tempo will likely emerge victorious.
CHD Scout Prediction
California
74
Syracuse
74
For California, their leading scorer has been on a tear, averaging 22.5 points per game over his last 5 contests, while shooting 45.5% from the field and 42.1% from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Syracuse's top player has struggled with his shot, hitting just 38.5% of his field goal attempts over his last 3 games, but has still managed to average 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. Another key contributor for the Orange is their point guard, who has dished out 5.5 assists per game over his last 5 outings, while committing just 2.2 turnovers per contest. As the game unfolds, these players matters in determining the outcome, with their performances potentially swinging the momentum in favor of their respective teams.
Tournament Stakes
The CHD Scout prediction has the California Golden Bears edging the Syracuse Orange by a narrow margin of 0.2 points, with Syracuse holding a 49.4% win probability. This prediction suggests a closely contested game, with both teams having a legitimate chance of emerging victorious. Given the narrow margin, the game could come down to a single possession, making every play and every shot crucial in the outcome.
A win for the California Golden Bears would significantly bolster their tournament resume, particularly given that this game is classified as a Quad 1 opportunity for them. With a current NET ranking of 58, a victory over Syracuse would help solidify their position on the bubble. On the other hand, a win for the Syracuse Orange would be a much-needed boost to their tournament hopes, as they currently sit at 71 in the NET rankings. Given that this game is a Quad 2 opportunity for Syracuse, a victory would help them build a more impressive resume, potentially propelling them into tournament consideration. The outcome of this game will have real consequences for both teams' postseason aspirations.