Two of the best defenses in the nation meet in Berkeley when the Virginia Cavaliers visit the Cal Golden Bears on Wednesday. Virginia has the top-ranked scoring defense in the nation and has held opponents to 46.7 points per game. Not to be outdone, Cal is allowing just 59.6 ppg. With a defensive battle expected, the total is a ludicrously low 118.5 as of this writing.
- Cal is 27-0 SU in its last 27 games at home.
- The total has gone UNDER in Virginia's last 6 games on the road.
- Virginia is 16-5 ATS in its last 21 games as favorite.
Offense is almost a non-factor for Virginia, with no single player on the team averaging more than 9.6 points per game. The bench sees plenty of floor time for the Cavaliers, as nine players are averaging at least 16 minutes per game.
Though Cal’s defense is slightly lagging compared with Virginia’s, the Golden Bears have a couple of players capable of taking over on the offensive end. Freshman guard Charlie Moore has been a revelation, as he is averaging a team-high 17.1 points per game and has tallied 20 or more on three occasions. Highly touted NBA prospect Ivan Rabb has averaged 15.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game since missing Cal’s first two with a toe injury.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Bettors looking to go with the California Golden Bears in this one found them listed as 5-point underdogs earlier on the NCAA basketball betting odds menu at Sportsbook. Check for line moves and odds updates as money coming in on the Cavaliers was expected to move the line.
Virginia Cavaliers vs California Golden Bears Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Virginia Cavaliers will try to spoil to the party and cover the point spread on Wednesday; they are 6-3 ATS against the betting line this season, while the California Golden Bears are 4-7 ATS. Virginia Cavaliers are 3-5 on betting the total; California Golden Bears are 4-6.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 28-rated California Golden Bears and the No. 16-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, according to the latest pro hoops power rankings here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring and defensive stats point to some betting edges in this matchup. The game features California's No. 180-ranked scoring average of 72.45 PPG, against a Virginia Cavaliers defense rated No. 1 and allowing 46.7 PPG. The California Golden Bears FG% has averaged 44.97% to date this season, less than the Virginia Cavaliers shooters have managed so far (51.03% per game).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Virginia cruised to victory on Tuesday, running East Carolina out of the gym and running up a 76-53 score at John Paul Jones Arena.
California cruised to victory on Saturday, running UC Davis out of the gym and running up a 86-61 score at Haas Pavilion.
- Virginia is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
- Virginia is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
- Virginia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Virginia's last 5 games on the road
- California is 4-10-1 ATS in its last 15 games
- California is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
- California is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home
- California is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Virginia at Louisville, Wednesday, December 28th
California at Arizona, Friday, December 30th
