1 (1959). 3 appearances in the Final Four (1946, 1959, 1960). Appearances in Sweet Sixteen: 4 (1959, 1960, 1993, 1997). **National Champions**. Cal has been to the NCAA Tournament every year since its inception in 1939, and they have always made it to at least the Elite Eight. They have never gotten past that point, though; no California team has ever won the national title. The Golden Bears' only appearance in the Finals was in 1946, when they lost to Manhattan (now Wichita State). After that season, Coach John Wooden left UCLA for Cal. He took over as head coach of the Bears in 1947 and led them to more success than anyone could've imagined - including his own. Under him, Cal went 80-4 and became the first program to ever enter the tournament undefeated. That same year, he also created a record by coaching his team into another game without a loss -- which is still standing today. In 1959, after winning their first two games by an average of 30 points, Cal fell short in the final minute of regulation time against Ohio State. The game went to overtime, where the Buckeyes won by one point to claim their first national title.