Top 3 confirmed opponents on Cal Basketball's 2025-26 campaign

Last season, California Basketball spent its inaugural season in the ACC. Overall, the team went 14-19 and 6-14 in conference play. Among the notable results in the non-conference was a road win at USC, along with a home setback to Cornell.

The Bears are hoping for a more successful season in 2026, which starts with taking care of business in the non-con. Their schedule has been released, which, admittedly, isn’t the strongest group of opponents in the world. Still, there are some solid foes to watch.

Here’s a look at the three most challenging games for the Bears.

3. Utah Utes (H)

Utah has a completely new roster but landed some notable names who put up big stats at the mid-major level. Don McHenry and Babacar Faye combined for over 35 ppg together at Western Kentucky, while Terrence Brown put up 20 ppg at Fairleigh Dickinson. If these guys can produce at the Big 12 level, the Utes will be a thorn in most teams' sides.

2. Kansas State Wildcats (A)

Kansas State added one of the top players from the transfer portal this offseason in PJ Haggerty, who averaged over 21 ppg at Memphis and was the American Player of the Year. Abdi Bashir comes from Monmouth and also put up over 20 ppg last season, while Nate Johnson is a two-way star from Akron who was the MAC POY winner. The frontcourt has some questions, but they’ll be difficult to stop on the perimeter.

1. UCLA Bruins (N)

The Bruins made a few roster moves this offseason, which could make them even better compared to last year. They return starters Skyy Clark and Tyler Bilodeau, while adding Michigan State transfer forward Xavier Booker inside. The big pickup was Donovan Dent, who averaged over 20 ppg at New Mexico and won Mountain West Player of the Year. With him at lead guard, UCLA has a star scorer while likely keeping the defense at a good level, too.