The Colorado Buffaloes (16-9, 8-7 Pac-12) and California Golden Bears (11-15, 4-11) meet Thursday in Berkley, Calif. The contest at Haas Pavilion is slated to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Colorado vs. California odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Colorado defeated Oregon State 90-64 Tuesday, and the Buffaloes have won three straight games. The Buffs have averaged 85.7 points per game while shooting 52.7% from the floor over the streak. Colorado is the best 3-point shooting team in the Pac-12; the Buffs are shooting a robust 40.0% from distance since Dec. 18.
Cal is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time in over six weeks. The Bears were 14.5-point underdogs in their last game, but they upset Oregon 78-64. The 78 points marked a season high for California, which at 64.7 points per game, ranks 323rd in the nation in scoring.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Colorado at California odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Colorado -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | California +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Colorado -1.5 (-120) | California +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 128.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Colorado at California odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado 69, California 64
Money line
Cal F Andre Kelly is out with a knee injury. The Bears’ win over Oregon — without Kelly — figures as a major outlier, and the visiting Buffaloes are the lean here. But value disappears north of -120. AVOID.
Against the spread
Colorado’s distance game figures as a difference maker here. And Kelly’s absence will be felt by Cal on the boards.
BACK THE BUFFALOES -1.5 (-120).
Over/Under
The Over fits with Colorado of late, and Buffaloes’ games have gone over the total in three straight. Recent possession numbers in Cal games against Oregon and Oregon State would seem to favor a total here closer to 135.
BACK THE OVER 128.5 (-108).
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