1945–46 California Golden Bears men's basketball team

The 1945–46 California Golden Bears men's basketball team represented the University of California, Berkeley in NCAA University Division basketball competition. Led by head coach Nibs Price, the Golden Bears made the first Final Four in program history. Cal finished in fourth place in the 1946 NCAA Tournament, losing to Ohio State in the consolation game.

1945–46 California Golden Bears men's basketball
ConferencePacific Coast Conference
Record30–6 (11–1 PCC)
Head coach
Home arenaHarmon Gym
Seasons
1945–46 Pacific Coast Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
North
Idaho 11 5   .688 23 11   .676
Oregon State 10 6   .625 13 11   .542
Oregon 8 8   .500 16 17   .485
Washington 6 10   .375 14 14   .500
Washington State 5 11   .313 16 13   .552
South
California 11 1   .917 30 6   .833
USC 8 4   .667 14 7   .667
UCLA 5 7   .417 8 16   .333
Stanford 0 12   .000 6 18   .250
† Conference championship playoff series winner

Roster

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1945–46 California Golden Bears men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Hometown
F Andy Wolfe 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
So  
F Merv LaFaille (C) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Sr  
C Jim Smith 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
So  
G Bob Hogeboom 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Jr  
G Jim Wray 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
Jr  
Head coach

Nibs Price

Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (attendance)
city, state
Regular season
NCAA Tournament
Mar 22, 1946*
vs. Colorado
West Regional Semifinal / National Quarterfinal – Elite Eight
W 50–44  30–4
Municipal Auditorium 
Kansas City, Missouri
Mar 23, 1946*
vs. Oklahoma A&M
West Regional Final / National Semifinal – Final Four
L 35–52  30–5
Municipal Auditorium 
Kansas City, Missouri
Mar 26, 1946*
vs. Ohio State
National Third Place Game
L 45–63  30–6
Madison Square Garden 
New York, New York
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Pacific Time.

[1]

References

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  1. ^ "2020-21 Cal Men's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). Cal Athletics. Retrieved September 5, 2023.