Preview: SMU at California in Key ACC Men’s Basketball Clash BERKELEY, Calif. (Interstat) — A pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball matchup featuring two teams on the NCAA tournament bubble will take place Wednesday night when the SMU Mustangs visit the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Both teams enter with identical 19-8 overall records, adding significant weight to the contest as the regular season enters its final stretch. The game is part of the ACC’s scheduling alliance. SMU arrives riding a two-game winning streak, most recently a dominant 94-70 home victory over Boston College on Saturday. The Mustangs’ offense has been potent, averaging 87.2 points over their last five games. The Mustangs are led by guard Jaron Pierre, who has scored 20 or more points in four of his last eight games. Pierre is coming off a 13-point, 6-assist performance against Boston College and a 25-point outing in a win over Louisville on Feb. 17. California has won two of its last three, including a 72-66 victory over rival Stanford last Saturday. The Golden Bears have shown resilience, with four of their eight losses coming by five points or fewer or in overtime. Forward Chris Bell provides consistent scoring for Cal, averaging 17.1 points per game over his last seven contests. He scored 20 points in the win over Stanford and had 22 in a road victory at Boston College on Feb. 14. The matchup features contrasting styles. SMU’s high-tempo offense, which ranks among the ACC’s best in scoring, will test a California defense that has held opponents under 70 points in three of its last five wins. For both teams, this game represents a critical opportunity to bolster their postseason resumes. The winner will claim a key Quadrant 1 or 2 victory and move a step closer to 20 wins. The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. EST tipoff Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, and will be broadcast on the ACC Network. Projected Starters (Based on Recent Box Scores): SMU: G Jaron Pierre, G Boopie Miller, G BJ Edwards. California: F Chris Bell, F John Camden, G Dai Dai Ames.