Cal Golden Bears Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Miami Hurricanes
The Cal Golden Bears are finding their rhythm in their first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, riding a two-game conference winning streak. They’ll aim for a third consecutive victory when they host the struggling Miami Hurricanes on Saturday in Berkeley, Calif.
Cal: Depth and Resilience Fuel Winning Streak
The Golden Bears (10-9, 3-5 ACC) have shown remarkable depth in their recent victories, particularly in their 77-68 win over Florida State on Wednesday. Playing without leading scorer Andrej Stojakovic (18.9 points per game) due to illness, Cal saw multiple players step up.
Jeremiah Wilkinson led the team with 18 points, while Joshua Ola-Joseph and Mady Sissoko each contributed 14. Sissoko and Rytis Petraitis were dominant on the boards, with each grabbing 13 rebounds. The team’s relentless effort on the glass yielded 24 offensive rebounds, resulting in 21 second-chance points.
Head coach Mark Madsen praised his team’s adaptability in Stojakovic’s absence.
“It was really a question of just players stepping into roles for a really great player that we missed,” Madsen said. “And guys stepped up. They did a really great job.”
Cal’s ability to find production across the roster, coupled with their knack for drawing fouls and converting at the free-throw line (19 of 22 against Florida State), has been key to their success.
Miami: Searching for a Breakthrough
The Miami Hurricanes (4-15, 0-8 ACC) are enduring a challenging season of transition under interim coach Bill Courtney, who took over after longtime coach Jim Larranaga stepped down last month.
The Hurricanes suffered their eighth straight loss on Wednesday, falling 88-51 to Stanford. Matthew Cleveland was a bright spot with 23 points, while Lynn Kidd added 10, but Miami’s shooting struggles persisted. Cleveland and Kidd combined to shoot 54.5 percent (12 of 22), but the rest of the team managed just 22.9 percent (8 of 35).
Cleveland has been a consistent force for Miami, averaging 14.3 points per game and reaching the 20-point mark for the sixth time this season. However, the absence of key contributors like Nijel Pack (13.9 points per game, 4.3 assists) and Jalen Blackmon has left the Hurricanes shorthanded.
Courtney acknowledged that the team’s struggles go beyond the opponents they face.
“For us, it’s really not about the opponent, it’s about ourselves,” Courtney said. “Whenever we have hit adversity this year, we haven’t reacted the way we should. The first thing for us is to be better and have a competitive spirit.”
Key Matchups
Cal’s Rebounding Dominance: With 24 offensive rebounds against Florida State, Cal’s ability to control the glass could overwhelm a Miami team struggling with consistency.
Matthew Cleveland vs. Cal’s Defense: Cleveland remains Miami’s most reliable offensive weapon. Cal will need to focus on limiting his impact to keep Miami in check.
Cal’s Depth vs. Miami’s Injuries: With Stojakovic’s status still uncertain, Cal will rely on its depth, while Miami must overcome the absence of Pack and Blackmon to remain competitive.
Stakes
For Cal, a win would extend their ACC win streak to three games and boost their confidence as they continue their inaugural conference campaign. For Miami, the game represents an opportunity to end an eight-game skid and find some stability amidst a challenging season.
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Conclusion
Cal’s depth and rebounding prowess make them the favorites heading into Saturday’s matchup, but Miami has a chance to turn the tide if Matthew Cleveland can deliver a standout performance and the team shows improvement in execution. With both teams having plenty to prove, expect an intense battle in Berkeley.