Cal hosts Florida State with the objective of securing back-to-back victories in the ACC.

This week, students returned to Berkeley to commence the spring semester. While the routine of reviewing multiple syllabi and enduring repeated introductions in discussion sections can be tedious, the Cal men’s basketball team offers a midweek diversion.

The Bears are set to welcome all students seeking entertainment as they host the 13-5 Florida State team on Wednesday evening. Cal comes back home following a narrow 65-62 victory over NC State on Saturday, concluding their journey through Tobacco Road and achieving a .500 record for the season. With a second win in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) secured, head coach Mark Madsen and the Bears aim to build on this momentum and establish a winning streak in conference play. However, Florida State presents a formidable challenge. The Seminoles currently hold a 4-3 record in ACC play, placing them seventh in the conference, after securing victories in their last two home games against Pitt and Georgia Tech.

“Florida State can attack you in numerous ways. They play at a rapid pace and excel in transition,” Madsen remarked during his weekly ACC press conference on Monday. “This will be an extraordinary challenge for us due to their talent and coaching.” The Seminoles are primarily driven by a dynamic duo of wing and big man, Jamir Watkins and Malique Ewin. Watkins leads the team in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game with a shooting percentage of 44% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc. Ewin dominates the paint, leading Florida State with 8.1 rebounds per game while contributing 14.2 points per game. They are further supported by two other significant players: forward Taylor Bol Bowen and guard Daquan Davis, both averaging 8.9 points. Bol Bowen serves as a defensive asset for the Seminoles, recording 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, while Davis leads the team in assists with an average of 2.8 per game. Nevertheless, every team has its vulnerabilities, and Florida State's may lie in turnovers. The Seminoles average 12.5 turnovers per game, slightly above Cal’s average of 11.9, with 7.5 of those turnovers attributed to the four players mentioned earlier.

The Bears will undoubtedly require another exceptional defensive performance akin to their display against the Wolfpack. However, to effectively challenge the Seminoles, the blue and gold must also secure an improved offensive output from their top scorer, Andrej Stojaković. His recent visit to the East Coast proved challenging, as he managed only 6 and 10 points on a combined shooting percentage of 28% against North Carolina and NC State, despite entering the week with an average of 20.3 points. "There will be teams that attempt to focus on (Stojaković) and employ double teams. I believe he did an admirable job of making the extra pass, especially in the second half against North Carolina and the first half against NC State," Madsen remarked. "(Stojaković) has excelled at recognizing when to drive and when to pass."

Given Florida State's history, this matchup could evolve into a game characterized by scoring runs. If Cal can establish an early lead against Florida State, they may have a strong opportunity to secure a decisive victory. Florida State has only experienced one game with a final margin of fewer than 10 points, occurring in their second game of the season against Rice. The Seminoles' five losses this year have primarily been decisive victories for their opponents, with the exception of an overtime defeat to NC State, where the Wolfpack ultimately dominated in the extra period.

Cal has struggled to start strong in its recent outings, but this presents an ideal opportunity to take control early against the Seminoles and create a substantial lead.

This game could serve as a pivotal moment for the Bears, offering them a chance to surpass the .500 mark and initiate a winning streak for the first time since November. Cal is set to face Florida State at Haas Pavilion on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.