NC State vs. Cal: A Historical Perspective

NC State (9-12, 2-8) will play at Cal (11-11, 4-7) tonight at 11 PM on the ACC Network. This marks the third time that the Wolfpack and the Golden Bears have faced one another on the hardwood, with the West Coast team, currently holding a 2-1 advantage in the series.

Their first two matchups were in the NCAA Tournament before Cal joined the ACC.

In their first matchup, NC State lost to Cal 74-76 in overtime in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack was the #9 seed, and the Golden Bears were the #8 seed. Josh Powell and Marcus Melvin both scored 17 points, Scooter Sherrill added 15, and Julius Hodge contributed 14.

In their second matchup, NC State defeated Cal 58-52 in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack was the #10 seed, and the Golden Bears were the #7 seed. Cam Bennerman led the Pack with 18 points, and Cedric Simmons chipped in 12.

Earlier this season, the Wolfpack hosted Cal at the Lenovo Center, losing 62-65 on January 18. Jayden Taylor led NC State in scoring with 18 points, Marcus Hill added 13, and Ben Middlebrooks had 11.

Tonight’s matchup will mark the first time that NC State has played at Cal.