Miami Vows to Keep Finding Ways to Win, Faces Hot-Shooting Cal

The Hurricanes look to bounce back from a recent two-game losing streak as they host the Golden Bears in ACC play.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:07pm

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Miami, one of the surprise teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, is set to host Cal on Saturday afternoon in Coral Gables, Florida. The Hurricanes, led by first-year head coach Jai Lucas and a revamped roster, have already exceeded last season's win total and are looking to continue their strong play. Meanwhile, Cal has lost four of its last six games but is led by a talented roster including Dai Dai Ames, Lee Dort, and Justin Pippen, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams heading in different directions in the ACC. Miami has been one of the conference's biggest surprises, while Cal is still trying to find its footing in its third season under head coach Mark Madsen. The outcome could have implications for both teams' postseason aspirations.

The details

Miami has engineered a complete turnaround from last season's 7-24 campaign, thanks in large part to an entirely new roster brought in by first-year head coach Jai Lucas. The Hurricanes are led in scoring by Malik Reneau (19.7 ppg), with point guard Tre Donaldson adding 16.1 points and a team-high 6.2 assists per game. Five-star freshman Shelton Henderson has also made an immediate impact, averaging 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. Cal, meanwhile, has already eclipsed last season's win total of 14, but has lost four of its last six games. The Golden Bears are led in scoring by Dai Dai Ames (16.8 ppg) and feature a talented roster that includes Lee Dort and Justin Pippen, the son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen.

  • Miami and Cal are set to face off on Saturday afternoon in Coral Gables, Florida.

The players

Jai Lucas

The first-year head coach of the Miami Hurricanes who has engineered a complete turnaround for the program.

Malik Reneau

The leading scorer for the Miami Hurricanes, averaging 19.7 points per game.

Tre Donaldson

The point guard for the Miami Hurricanes, averaging 16.1 points and a team-high 6.2 assists per game.

Shelton Henderson

A five-star freshman for the Miami Hurricanes, averaging 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Mark Madsen

The head coach of the Cal Golden Bears, in his third season with the program.

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What they’re saying

“We're a new team — first-year coach and no returners. We're going to have ups and downs like everybody else. But can we stay together and find ways to win? I feel like we're going to continue (to improve) as we get closer to March, when it really counts.”

— Tre Donaldson, Point guard, Miami Hurricanes

“I made the wrong choice (signing with Michigan). But now I've made the right one.”

— Justin Pippen

What’s next

The outcome of this game could have implications for both teams' postseason aspirations, as Miami looks to continue its strong season and Cal tries to bounce back from its recent struggles.

The takeaway

This matchup between Miami and Cal features two teams heading in different directions in the ACC. The Hurricanes have been one of the conference's biggest surprises, while the Golden Bears are still trying to find their footing. The outcome could have significant implications for both teams' postseason hopes as the season progresses.