PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* ESPN2 Friday Night Winner >> 48-27-3 Past 12 Days!
(NCAAB) Arizona vs. California,
Point Spread: -1.00 | -106.00 California (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -1.00 | -106.00 California (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 18th-ranked Arizona Wildcats open Pac-12 play with a visit to Berkeley on Friday night to take on the 9-3 California Golden Bears. The Wildcats have played only one game on their opponent's home court this season (won 79-60 at Missouri) and the Bears had their 27-game home winning streak snapped by 12th-ranked Virginia in a 56-52 loss in Cal's last non-conference contest on Dec. 21.
Arizona: It hasn't been smooth sailing for Arizona so far, as the team's top returning scorer (Allonzo Trier at 14.8 PPG) has not played all season because of an unspecified eligibility issue plus starting PG Parker Jackson-Cartwright (8.0 & 5.3 APG) has missed the past four weeks with a high ankle sprain. There is a chance Jackson-Cartwright will return for the Cal game. but head coach Sean Miller said, "We really don't know. He tried to practice Monday for the first time in a month. Whether he plays this weekend remains to be seen." Arizona has remained in the top-25 thanks to the contributions of three freshmen, the 7-0 Lauri Markkanen (16.1 & 7.3) plus gaurds Rawle Alkins (12.4 & 5.4) and Kobi Simmon (12.2). They are the team's top three scorers.
California: The Bears lost Wallace (15.3-5.4-4.4) and Brown (14.6 & 5.4) to graduation from last year plus Mathews (13.5) was a graduate transfer and now plays at Gonzaga. Freshman PG Charlie Moore has started all 12 games and averages a team-best 16.1 PPG (also 3.3 APG) with the top-two returning players being the 6-10 Rabb (14.6 & 9.2) and 6-5 senior wing Jabari Bird. Bird's been an underachiever up until now and missed six games following the season opener due to back spasms but appears fully healthy at this time, averaging 15.7 PPG and 5.7 RPG.
The pick: Cal beat Arizona 74-73 in Berkeley last season when the Wildcats were ranked No. 12 and as head coach Cuonzo Martin says, "Anytime you play at home, it gives you a level of confidence. But Arizona, they've been in hostile atmospheres and tough environments. I don't think they'll be fazed by the stage." However, as noted, this will be only Arizona's second true road game this season, while Cal is 8-1 at home, outscoring opponents 73.9-to-58.2 PPG. Make Cal a 10* play.
Arizona: It hasn't been smooth sailing for Arizona so far, as the team's top returning scorer (Allonzo Trier at 14.8 PPG) has not played all season because of an unspecified eligibility issue plus starting PG Parker Jackson-Cartwright (8.0 & 5.3 APG) has missed the past four weeks with a high ankle sprain. There is a chance Jackson-Cartwright will return for the Cal game. but head coach Sean Miller said, "We really don't know. He tried to practice Monday for the first time in a month. Whether he plays this weekend remains to be seen." Arizona has remained in the top-25 thanks to the contributions of three freshmen, the 7-0 Lauri Markkanen (16.1 & 7.3) plus gaurds Rawle Alkins (12.4 & 5.4) and Kobi Simmon (12.2). They are the team's top three scorers.
California: The Bears lost Wallace (15.3-5.4-4.4) and Brown (14.6 & 5.4) to graduation from last year plus Mathews (13.5) was a graduate transfer and now plays at Gonzaga. Freshman PG Charlie Moore has started all 12 games and averages a team-best 16.1 PPG (also 3.3 APG) with the top-two returning players being the 6-10 Rabb (14.6 & 9.2) and 6-5 senior wing Jabari Bird. Bird's been an underachiever up until now and missed six games following the season opener due to back spasms but appears fully healthy at this time, averaging 15.7 PPG and 5.7 RPG.
The pick: Cal beat Arizona 74-73 in Berkeley last season when the Wildcats were ranked No. 12 and as head coach Cuonzo Martin says, "Anytime you play at home, it gives you a level of confidence. But Arizona, they've been in hostile atmospheres and tough environments. I don't think they'll be fazed by the stage." However, as noted, this will be only Arizona's second true road game this season, while Cal is 8-1 at home, outscoring opponents 73.9-to-58.2 PPG. Make Cal a 10* play.
