It can be argued that the important stuff really happens once the regular season comes to a close, as it’s winning the National Championship that is the goal of every team in college basketball. We are all well aware that only one team can win that title, so it’s not necessarily a total disappointment for the teams that miss out. Going on an unexpected run is always great, as is winning a regular season conference title. Oftentimes, being the best in your conference over the course of a long regular season can deliver a jolt of confidence that carries over into March Madness. As we head into the final weekend of the regular season, there are still some conference titles hanging in the balance, which includes the PAC 12. The Oregon Ducks are in that conversation and will look to stay there when they welcome in the California Golden Bears on Thursday night. The Bears need a win to keep the pressure on UCLA at the top and will come into this one as a rather convincing 15-point favorite. The bookies have the point total for this PAC 12 battle set at 131 ½. 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 at 11 PM EST
- Where: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene
- TV: ESPN2
- NCAAB Odds: Oregon Ducks -15 / Total 131
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— Cal Basketball (@CalMBBall) March 5, 2020
Why bet on the California Golden Bears
The California Golden Bears are stumbling toward the finish line with a sub-.500 record, coming into this game at 13-16, which means that they will end the season with a losing record. In fairness to the Golden Bears, they are not simply rolling over and playing dead. They are coming into this game on a 2-game winning streak and have now won 3 of their last 5. As good as they have been of late, they are still struggling overall, sitting at 7-9 in conference play this season. One of those recent wins came against a ranked Colorado team, the only time that they have beaten a ranked team in 5 attempts this season. In their earlier meeting with Oregon this season, the Golden Bears went down 77-72.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 63.72
- Field Goal %: 42.34
- Three Point %: 34.35
- Free Throw %: 72.92
- Total Rebounds: 32.86
Defense
- Total Score: 68.79
- Field Goal %: 42.73
- Three Point %: 35.08
- Free Throw %: 73.46
- Total Rebounds: 33.41
Why bet on the Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks are sitting at #13 in the national rankings coming into this one, but that is certainly not an unlucky number. Overall, the Oregon Ducks are 22-7 on the season, but they are also at 11-5 in conference play, which has them in with a shot at winning the PAC 12 regular season title. They are sitting a ½ game back of the UCLA Bruins, a team that has suddenly come to life over the last few weeks. The one thing that the Ducks have in their favor coming into this game is that they are now on a run where they have won 20 straight games at home. On the downside, they have routinely struggled when playing California at home, covering the spread just once in the last 9 home meetings with the Golden Bears.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 75.24
- Field Goal %: 46.28
- Three Point %: 38.35
- Free Throw %: 69.31
- Total Rebounds: 35.66
Defense
- Total Score: 67.1
- Field Goal %: 40.65
- Three Point %: 32.46
- Free Throw %: 72.65
- Total Rebounds: 34.03
California vs Oregon Betting Trends
- California are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of California’s last 5 games.
- California are 14-5-1 ATS in their last 20 games against Oregon.
- California are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games against Oregon.
- California are 2-18 SU in their last 20 games on the road.
- Oregon are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Oregon are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oregon’s last 7 games against California.
- Oregon are 20-0 SU in their last 20 games at home.
- Oregon are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games when playing at home against California.
California vs Oregon Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
The Oregon Ducks want that regular season conference title, so look for them to come out strong and try to set the tone early on Thursday night. I think they do just that on their way to a very comfortable win.
California Golden Bears 63 Oregon Ducks 81
