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
Pacific Coast Conference Champions
NCAA tournament, Fourth Place
Conference	Pacific Coast Conference
Record	30–6 (11–1 PCC)
Head coach	Nibs Price
Home arena	Harmon Gym
Seasons ← 1944–45 1946–47 →

1945–46 Pacific Coast Conference men's basketball standings

v t e	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

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 Injured Current redshirt Roster

Schedule and results

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.

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