The California Golden Bears (3-18, 2-8 Pac-12) visit the Colorado Buffaloes (12-11, 4-8) on Thursday. Tip from CU Events Center is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the California vs. Colorado odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Golden Bears were throttled on Saturday, falling 75-46 to Stanford and failing to cover as 10.5-point road underdogs. They have lost 5 games in a row going 1-4 against the spread (ATS). In their last 10, the Bears are 5-5 ATS and 8-13 ATS this season. California’s offense ranks below 300th in the country in points per game (347th, 60.2), field goal percentage (319th, 41.17%), and 3-point field goal percentage (327th, 29.94%).
Colorado fell 60-52 to Oregon State on Saturday, failing to cover as 7.5-point road favorites. It is 1-5 in its last 6 games going 0-5-1 ATS. In its last 10, Colorado is 3-6-1 ATS falling to 8-14-1 ATS on the season. The Buffaloes defense has been their strong point this season, holding opponents to 66.7 points per game (96th) on 41.782% shooting from the field (90th).
California beat Colorado as a 10.5-point underdog 80-76 at home on Dec. 31 as the Over 129.5 cashed.
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California at Colorado odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): California +700 (bet $100 to win $700 | Buffaloes -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): California +15.5 (-110) | Colorado -15.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 129.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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California at Colorado picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado 71, California 55
Moneyline
PASS.
There is no point risking that much on Colorado.
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Against the spread
PASS.
Although Colorado should easily handle the Golden Bears at home, 15.5 points is too many to comfortably bet. With a 3-18 overall record, Colorado is one of the teams California has taken down this season which makes me more weary of such a large spread. If you must, I would sprinkle COLORADO -15.5 (-110) with, at most, half a unit.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 129.5 (-110).
The Under has hit in back-to-back games for the Golden Bears with both closing lines falling under 129.5. For Colorado, the Under has hit 6 times in its last 8 games by an average of 22.17 points.
With California’s offense scoring less than 60 points in 4 of its last 5 games and Colorado’s scoring less than 60 in 3 of its last 5 games, the UNDER 129.5 (-110) is the better play in this matchup.
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