The Colorado Buffaloes (9-5, 1-2 Pac-12) face the California Golden Bears (1-13, 0-3) at Haas Pavilion in Berkley, Calif., Saturday. Tip is set for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Colorado vs. California odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Colorado beat Stanford 73-70 Thursday to cover as 2-point road favorites. The Buffaloes are 6-8 against the spread (ATS) this season. They are 6-1 straight up at home, 1-2 away and 2-2 on neutral floors. They are 3-2 ATS over their last 5 games. The Over is 4-1 in their previous 5 games but 5-5 in their last 10.
California, on the other hand, got blown out 58-43 against Utah, failing to cover as 9.5-point underdogs. The Golden Bears are 5-9 ATS this season. They are 1-8 at home, 0-3 on the road and 0-2 at neutral sites. California has struggled this season, ranking 359th in points per game (58) and 343rd in field goal percentage (40.2%).
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Colorado at California odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 111 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Colorado -575 (bet $575 to win $100) | California +390 (bet $100 to win $390)
- Against the spread (ATS): Colorado -9.5 (-120) | California -9.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 129.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Colorado at California picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado 66, California 54
Moneyline
PASS.
The moneyline does not present enough return on investment to make a play worth the risk.
Against the spread
LEAN COLORADO -9.5 (-120).
California’s defense ranks 223rd in opponent field goal percentage (43.4%), and Colorado’s offense ranks 121st in field goal percentage (45.9%).
On the contrary, California’s offense struggles, ranking 343rd in field goal percentage (40.2%). Colorado should cover the spread and has covered for bettors recently (3-2 ATS over its last 5).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 129.5 (-105).
California’s offense has had a lot of issues this season, ranking outside the top 300 in points per game (58), field goal percentage (40.2%) and 3-point percentage (26%). Its defense ranks 104th in opponents’ points per game (65.7) going against a Colorado offense that ranks 106th with 76.1 points per game.
Neither offense is worth backing, and the Under is the best play here. Back UNDER 129.5 (-105).
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