What Happened to California Golden Bears Men's Basketball Program?
The Cal Bears men's basketball program, with a history dating back to 1907 and a national championship in 1959, has recently undergone significant changes, including a move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2024. Under head coach Mark Madsen, who received a contract extension through 2030, the team has shown a marked improvement, achieving its first 20-win season since 2017 and securing a berth in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
Quick Answer
The Cal Bears men's basketball program is currently experiencing a resurgence under head coach Mark Madsen, who was extended through the 2029-30 season in March 2024. After a challenging period, the team achieved its first 20-win season since 2017 in the 2025-26 season, finishing ninth in the ACC. As of March 2026, the Golden Bears are participating in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), marking their first postseason appearance since 2017.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
NCAA National Championship
Under coach Pete Newell, the California Golden Bears win their only NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship, defeating West Virginia.
NCAA Runner-Up
Cal reaches the NCAA Championship game for the second consecutive year, but loses to Ohio State.
NCAA Sweet Sixteen with Jason Kidd
Led by future NBA star Jason Kidd, Cal makes a memorable run to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
NIT Championship
The Golden Bears win the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) title, defeating Clemson in the final.
Ben Braun Dismissed, Mike Montgomery Hired
After two consecutive seasons near the bottom of the Pac-10, head coach Ben Braun is dismissed and replaced by former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery.
Pac-10 Regular Season Championship
Cal wins its first conference title in 50 years under coach Mike Montgomery.
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance
The Golden Bears make their most recent appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed under coach Cuonzo Martin.
Mark Madsen Hired as Head Coach
Following a 3-29 season, Mark Madsen is hired as the new head coach, tasked with rebuilding the program.
Move to Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Cal, along with Stanford and SMU, announces its departure from the Pac-12 to join the ACC, effective for the 2024-25 season, amidst the dissolution of the Pac-12.
Mark Madsen Contract Extension
After a 10-win improvement in his first season, head coach Mark Madsen signs a two-year contract extension through the 2029-30 season.
Revamped Roster for 2025-26 Season
The Cal men's basketball team enters the 2025-26 season with an almost entirely new roster, featuring ten transfers and a focus on improved shooting and defense.
Victory over Georgia Tech in ACC Play
Cal defeats Georgia Tech 76-65, staying on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament and showcasing improved offensive rhythm and defensive effort.
Earns NIT Berth
The Golden Bears secure a spot in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), marking their first postseason appearance since 2017, following a 21-11 regular season record.
NIT First Round Win vs. UIC
Cal defeats the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) 91-73 in the opening round of the 2026 NIT at Haas Pavilion.
NIT Second Round vs. Saint Joseph's
Cal hosts Saint Joseph's in the second round of the 2026 NIT at Haas Pavilion.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The California Golden Bears men's basketball program boasts a long and storied history, established in 1907, with its pinnacle being the 1959 NCAA National Championship under legendary coach Pete Newell. The program also reached the Final Four in 1946 and 1960, and won the NIT in 1999. However, following Newell's departure, the team experienced periods of struggle, with the 1970s and 1980s largely considered down years.
In recent decades, the Bears have had intermittent success, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances in the 1990s with players like Jason Kidd and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The early 2000s saw more NCAA berths under coach Ben Braun, but the program again faced challenges, culminating in a 3-29 record in the 2022-23 season, the worst winning percentage in Cal history, under coach Mark Fox.
A significant turning point occurred in March 2023 with the hiring of Mark Madsen as head coach. Madsen quickly began to revitalize the program, leading to a 10-win improvement in his first season (2023-24) with a 13-18 record. This rapid turnaround led to a two-year contract extension for Madsen through the 2029-30 season, announced in March 2024. The extension was seen as a move to secure Madsen amidst speculation of interest from other programs and to provide stability as Cal prepared for a major conference realignment.
Another monumental shift for the program is its move from the Pac-12 Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), effective for the 2024-25 season. This move, alongside Stanford and SMU, was a consequence of the dissolution of the Pac-12, driven by financial and competitive concerns. While the ACC offers a more demanding basketball league and increased travel, it also provides access to a power conference competitive infrastructure and long-term media revenues. Cal will initially receive a partial share of ACC media revenue for several years before reaching a full share.
The 2025-26 season has been a breakout year for the Golden Bears under Madsen. The team achieved a 22-11 overall record, marking its first 20-win season since 2017, and finished ninth in the competitive ACC with a 9-9 conference record. The roster for the 2025-26 season saw significant changes, with a focus on transfers to improve shooting, passing, and defense. Key players like Dai Dai Ames and Justin Pippen earned All-ACC honors. As of March 23, 2026, the Cal Bears are participating in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), having defeated UIC in the first round and are set to face Saint Joseph's in the second round.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if California Golden Bears Men's Basketball Program made different choices?