The California Golden Bears (13-16, 7-9 Pac-12) may not be headed for March Madness themselves, but they have a chance to dent the chances for a high seed for the Oregon Ducks (22-7, 11-5 Pac-12) when they visit Eugene on Thursday night. The Golden Bears are currently in eighth place in the conference standings, 4 ½ games behind conference-leading UCLA. Oregon, on the other hand, is in second place, just a half-game back. Cal has won two in a row and three of four, although they have just won once in Pac-12 play away from Berkeley. Oregon has won two straight but has split their last ten contests, which has given UCLA the opportunity to climb past them in the standings. Can the Golden Bears pull off a huge road upset? Or will the Ducks take care of business? Read our sports betting preview as you plan your Thursday wagering. Let’s see how the College Basketball odds will be for the California vs Oregon.
California vs Oregon 2020 College Basketball Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Thursday, March 5, 2020, 11:00 pm ET
- Where: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, OR
- TV: ESPN2
- Radio: Cal Golden Bears Radio / Oregon Sports Network
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- NBA Odds: Oregon -15 / O/U 131.5
Why should you bet on Cal?
Cal has won three of four, including a win at Washington State (their first road conference win). They followed that up by a loss at Washington, a team near the bottom of the Pac-12 standings but also one of just two teams in the nation with a win over Baylor this year. After that, Cal knocked off Colorado and Utah. That win over the Utes came in overtime on Saturday, as the Golden Bears prevailed, 86-79.
In that win, Matt Bradley had 21 points, including six in overtime. Andre Kelly put up 15 points, nine rebounds and five blocks (a career best). Grant Anticevich chipped in 17 points and eight boards, and Paris Austin added 15 points and four assists. The Utes had beaten Cal by 15 when the teams met in Utah just three weeks ago. Cal had a six-point lead with one minute left in regulation before the Utes made a furious rally, but then the Golden Bears outscored the Utes in overtime, 17-10. If you like Cal here, you see their balanced scoring doing the job.
Why should you put your money on Oregon?
Since suffering an upset loss at the hands of Oregon State, Oregon has won four of five, with wins over Colorado and Utah coming ahead of an upset loss at Arizona State. After that, the Ducks won at Arizona and then beat Oregon State in their rematch, rolling 69-54 at home.
In that win over the Beavers, Payton Pritchard had 23 points, with 15 coming in the second half. Will Richardson had 15 on the night, with 13 coming after the intermission. Oregon was up just four points at the half but went on a 22-4 run to start the second half to take the suspense out of the night. When the Beavers beat the Ducks three weeks ago, Oregon did not have 6’11” N’faly Dante, who had knee tendinitis sideline him for the nine previous games. Francis Okoro, 6’9”, did not play in the teams’ first matchup because he was at his father’s funeral services in Nigeria. Okoro pulled down six rebounds, and both he and Dante altered shots in the paint because of their height. Anthony Mathis also contributed 13 points on the night, and the Ducks were clutch from downtown, going 11 for 21 from behind the arc. If you like Oregon, you see that infusion of size and the motivation of a chance to keep pace with UCLA helping them get by the pesky Golden Bears.
California vs Oregon Final Score Prediction
Remember that this is a 15-point line, so if you’re taking the Ducks, you are predicting that they will dominate the action, not just win in a squeaker. Oregon had the motivation to beat Oregon State like that, but Cal has been playing better ball lately than the Beavers had. I predict a final score of Oregon 77, Cal 66 — with Cal covering.
