California Golden Bears (6-7) vs. Colorado Buffaloes (9-3)
It is a great battle out in the PAC-12 as the California Golden Bears travel to take on the Colorado Buffaloes on Thursday. Cal snapped a three-game losing streak with an 84-78 victory over Washington on Saturday. Colorado is on a two-game winning streak after defeating Utah on Monday, 65-58.
The Golden Bears won the last contest between these teams, defeating Colorado 76-62 back in February. However, Colorado had won five straight prior to that and are 6-4 in the last 10.
Bears Hold Off Huskies
California jumped out to an eight-point halftime lead, then held onto the 84-78 victory over Washington. The Golden Bears had a great day shooting, connecting on 55.4% of their shots from the field, including 65.4% in the second half. The same was true beyond the arc, as California shot 58.3% (7-12) after the break..@RyanBetley π€ @jabrown_1
— Cal Basketball (@CalMBBall) January 12, 2021
One of our favorite plays from Saturdayβs win. pic.twitter.com/Ae5MStsZN6
Andre Kelly led the team in scoring with 22, going an impressive 11 of 13 from the field. Ryan Betley added 18, hitting on six of 11 attempts. Grant Andevich was the leading rebounder with six.
Cal is averaging 68.8 ppg while allowing 68.9 points per game. They are shooting 45.7% from the field and 33.5% from beyond the arc. This is a team not playing particularly well together. They are averaging 13.3 assists per game, 5.6 steals, and 1.7 blocks. They are averaging just 30 rebounds per game.
Matt Bradley leads the team in scoring at 17.8 ppg. Kelly is the leading rebounder at 5.9 per contest and is averaging just under 10 points per game (9.9). No one on the Golden Bears is shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc. Bradley has set out the last two games with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for this contest.
Buffaloes Stampede Utah in Second Half
After trailing Utah by 10 entering the half, Colorado came out fired up, outscoring the Utes by 17 on their way to a 65-58 victory. It was a 15-0 run to start the second half that gave the Buffaloes control of the contest. That moved the team to 3-2 in the conference.ππΆπ§π§π΄ π’π΅ ππ΅π’π© ππ¦π€π’π± π₯
— Colorado Men's Basketball (@CUBuffsMBB) January 12, 2021
Always a great day to get a road win pic.twitter.com/CB3JbF4kf9
Colorado was led by D’Shawn Schwartz who scored 15 and grabbed 15 rebounds. Jabari Walker also had 15 points and grabbed 10 boards. Overall, the Buffaloes had 49 rebounds in the game, a season-high. They did struggle from beyond the arc, especially in the second half when they were just one of nine. However, 13 of 16 from the free-throw line in the second half help the team prevail.
The Buffaloes are averaging 74.8 ppg, but are playing very well defensively, allowing 62.3 points per game, 41st in the country. They are the top free-throw shooting team in the nation, hitting at 84.5% and are shooting 44.6% from the field. Despite the 49-rebound performance against Utah, Colorado is averaging 33.8 boards per game.
Colorado is led in scoring by McKinley Wright, who is averaging 15.4 ppg. Jeriah Home is the only other Buffs player averaging better than 10 points per game (10.7). Home is the team’s leading rebounder at 5.9 per contest. Dallas Walton (9.6 ppg) is listed as questionable.
Team Trends
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California Golden Bears:
- 1-4 ATS in their last five games following an ATS win.
- 1-4 ATS in their last five games on the road.
Colorado Buffaloes:
- 5-0 ATS in their last five games at home.
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