You remember the Pac-12, right? That "Conference of Champions" vibe where every January road trip to the Bay Area or Los Angeles felt like a predictable, comfortable tradition. Well, that world is gone. Honestly, it’s kinda weird looking at the schedule now. You’ve got USC flying to New Jersey to play Rutgers, while Cal is essentially a permanent resident of the Delta terminal, trekking to North Carolina and Virginia for Atlantic Coast Conference play.
But even though they don't live in the same "house" anymore, USC vs Cal basketball remains one of those matchups that just feels essential to West Coast hoops. It’s a rivalry that has survived the total implosion of their shared history.
The Weird New Reality of USC vs Cal Basketball
Basically, we’re in uncharted territory. For the first time since 1921, these two schools met as non-conference opponents on November 17, 2024. Think about that. Over a century of history as conference brothers, and suddenly they’re playing a game that doesn't even count toward a league title.
Cal won that game 71-66. It was a statement.
The Golden Bears, led by Mark Madsen—who, let’s be real, has brought a much-needed "Mad Dog" energy back to Berkeley—actually managed to snap a miserable streak. Before that win at the Galen Center, Cal had lost ten straight to the Trojans. It wasn't just a win; it was a "we aren't the doormat anymore" moment.
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Why the Records Tell a Different Story
If you look at the raw numbers, USC has historically held the upper hand in the modern era. Since the 1949-50 season, USC has a slight edge with an 87-83 record against the Bears. It’s incredibly close. Like, "down to the last possession in late February" close.
But if you’re a Cal fan, you probably focus on the streaks. Between 2018 and early 2024, the Trojans went on an 11-game tear. It was brutal. USC was bigger, faster, and quite frankly, better coached under Andy Enfield.
Then everything changed.
Enfield left for SMU. Eric Musselman—the "Muss Bus" himself—stepped into the USC job with his chaotic, high-energy transfer portal strategy. Meanwhile, Madsen was busy rebuilding Cal through the portal too, snagging guys like Andrej Stojakovic (yes, Peja’s son) and Jovan Blacksher Jr.
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Key Names to Watch Right Now
- Andrej Stojakovic (Cal): He’s not just a name. He dropped 20 on USC in their last meeting. The kid has a stroke that makes you realize genetics are real.
- Jovan Blacksher Jr. (Cal): A veteran guard who basically lived in the paint against USC's defense.
- Desmond Claude (USC): Musselman’s go-to guy. He’s a bucket-getter who can carry the Trojans when the offense gets stagnant.
- Saint Thomas (USC): A versatile forward who has to do the dirty work inside if USC wants to compete with the bigger Big Ten frontlines.
The Travel Factor is Ruining (and Creating) Everything
Travel is the elephant in the room. In 2024-25, the Cal women's team reportedly traveled over 23,000 miles. The men aren't far behind. When you talk about USC vs Cal basketball, you have to realize these teams are exhausted.
USC is now a Big Ten school. They’re playing in Minneapolis on Friday and maybe Columbus on Sunday. Cal is in the ACC, which means they are frequent flyers to Durham and Atlanta.
When they finally meet each other for a "local" game, it’s almost a relief. No three-hour time zone jumps. No 5 AM flights across the country. This proximity used to be taken for granted; now, it’s a luxury.
It’s Not Just About the Men
Don't sleep on the women’s side of this. Actually, the USC women’s program is currently the supernova of college basketball. JuJu Watkins is a global superstar. Period.
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In their December 21, 2025 matchup, the #19 USC women barely escaped San Francisco with a 61-57 win over a scrappy Cal team. Sakima Walker put up a double-double (13 pts, 10 rebs) for the Bears, proving that the gap between these programs is closing, even if JuJu is the one getting all the headlines.
What the Future Holds: Is the Rivalry Dead?
Some people say the rivalry is dead because they aren't in the same conference. Those people are wrong.
If anything, the separation makes the games matter more. It’s a battle for California supremacy. It’s the Big Ten vs. the ACC on a West Coast island. Recruiting in the state is now a three-way (or four-way, if you count UCLA and Stanford) war between conferences.
If a kid from Oakland wants to stay home, does he want the prestige of the Big Ten or the historic basketball culture of the ACC? That’s the pitch now. Every time USC vs Cal basketball happens, coaches are using that game as a live-action recruiting brochure.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to follow this rivalry in the 2025-2026 season and beyond, here is what you actually need to do:
- Check the Non-Conference Slates Early: Since they aren't in the same league, these games have to be scheduled manually. They usually happen in November or December now.
- Watch the Transfer Portal: Both Musselman and Madsen are portal kings. The roster you see in November might be 80% different by next year. Don't get too attached to jersey numbers.
- Follow the Women’s Matchups: The USC women are a legitimate national title contender. Catching them against a rival like Cal is often more intense than the men's games right now.
- Monitor the "Calimony": UCLA has to pay Cal money because they left them behind for the Big Ten. While USC doesn't have the same legal obligation, the "prestige gap" between the Big Ten and ACC TV deals is going to be a major talking point in how these teams fund their NIL collectives.
The "Conference of Champions" might be a memory, but the distain between Berkeley and Los Angeles is very much alive. Whether it's a cold night at Haas Pavilion or a star-studded afternoon at the Galen Center, this matchup remains the heartbeat of West Coast hoops.