Cal Men’s Basketball Kicks Off 2025-26 Season -UVA Tix Get You Free Admission Monday Night

California kicks off its 2025-26 campaign on home turf, welcoming fans to Haas Pavilion for a 7 p.m. faceoff against CSU Bakersfield on Monday (Nov. 3). Proof of purchase of tickets for Cal’s football game vs Virginia is good for free admission to Monday night’s game.

The Golden Bears are 4-2 all-time against the Roadrunners in a series dating back to 1977 — with every game having been played in Berkeley. A victory would secure Cal's 300th win at Haas Pavilion in men's basketball and would give head coach Mark Madsen 98 wins in his career, just two away from 100.

 
FOLLOW ALONG
Monday's opener will air on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) with Roxy Bernstein and Ben Braun on the call. Fans can also catch Justin Allegri on the Cal Bears Sports Network radio broadcast on 810 AM and The Varsity App.
 
FOR FANS      
Cal's home opener will mark the first "Haas of Pain" themed game of the season, with fans receiving rally towels to help bring extra winning energy to the Bears' home court.
 
NEXT UP          
Later in the week, Cal takes on Wright State for the first time in program history in a 7 p.m. clash on Thursday at Haas Pavilion. The Bears-Raiders meeting will air on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) with Roxy Bernstein and Ben Braun on the call. Fans can also catch Justin Allegri on the Cal Bears Sports Network radio broadcast on 810 AM and The Varsity App.
 
NEW CREW   
Head coach Mark Madsen has a haul of new talent on board for his third season at the helm of the Cal program. Of the 13 newcomers to the roster, nine are transfers and four are true freshmen.
 
LONG GAME
Of Cal's nine transfer additions, six are post players who stretch the Bears' size in the frontcourt. Spanning from 6-foot-7 Chris Bell to 7-footer Dhiaukuei Manyeil Dut, the group checks in at an average of 6-foot-9.
 
BACK FOR MORE      
Cal returns three Bears who saw time in the starting lineup last season — F Rytis Petraitis (29 starts), G DeJuan Campbell (16) and F Lee Dort (1).
 
TV TIME            
Cal is locked in for 19 televised tests in its second season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. All 18 of the Golden Bears' ACC regular-season games will be televised, along with a nonconference clash against UCLA at Chase Center as part of the Empire Classic.
In all, Cal will play four times on ESPN's family of networks – ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU – along with 15 games on the ACC Network. Cal's 11 nonconference home games will stream on ACCNX.
 
CAREER CLIMBERS 
Several Bears are in reach of milestone marks in their collegiate careers this season. Keep an eye on each one as they climb on!
SR F Rytis Petraitis — 980 career points
SR F Chris Bell — 891 career points
GS C Milos Ilic — 475 career rebounds | 826 career points
 
CALIFORNIA THROUGH AND THROUGH
"California Through and Through" is more than a slogan – it's a statement of identity, pride and our trajectory as Cal Men's Basketball. Just like our state, our program is engaging, diverse and inspiring. We have a rich history and legacy, and we have a bright future. Being California Through and Through means we celebrate our community and our place within it.
 
GET TICKETS
Season tickets for 2025-26 can be purchased by visiting CalBears.com/Tickets, calling 800-GO-BEARS (462-3277) or emailing goldstandard@berkeley.edu.
 
SUPPORT THE BEARS
Fans can support the Golden Bears through the Cal Men's Basketball Excellence Initiative.