The No. 15-ranked California Golden Bears (3-0) are off to a hot start and will try to remain undefeated when they meet the Sam Houston State Bearkats (1-2) at Haas Pavilion. Action starts at 11:00 pm ET on Monday, Nov. 23 and will air on PAC.
The Golden Bears come into this game hoping to repeat their last performance, beating East Carolina 70-62 on Friday. With 14 points and 13 rebounds, Ivan Rabb recorded his second double-double this season. The Bearkats, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 86-81 loss to Southern Illinois on Saturday. Jamal Williams played well for Sam Houston State, registering eight points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
California is a considerable 20-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 144 points. The Golden Bears have gone 3-0 Straight Up (SU) and 2-1 Against The Spread (ATS). An area where the Golden Bears are particularly strong is shot blocking, where they average 6.3 blocks per game, 32nd in Division I. California is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the 48th-fewest turnovers per game at only 10.7.
The Bearkats get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking 44th in the nation with 78 made (26.0 per game).
California and Sam Houston State will be facing off for their first head-to-head game in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cal, ATS Winner – Cal, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 6 of California’s last 9 games.
California is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The Sam Houston State Bearkats average 81.7 points per game, ranking 90th in the nation. The California Golden Bears rank 77th in points allowed with 64.7.
The California Golden Bears have a defensive rating of 92.7 (ranked 91st), while the Sam Houston State Bearkats have an offensive rating of 105.5 (ranked 186th).
The California Golden Bears average a field goal percentage of 48.0% this season. The Sam Houston State Bearkats are a winless 0-1 when opponents have a FG% of 48.0% or greater.
The California Golden Bears and the Sam Houston State Bearkats both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. California is 104th and 80th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Sam Houston State ranks 203rd and 196th in these categories.
Sam Houston State ranks 69th in assists, recording 17.0 per game. California performs worse at 133rd with 14.7 assists per game.
California, the 32nd-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 6.3 per game. Sam Houston State does worse, ranked 288th with 2.0.
Sam Houston State ranks 203rd in offensive rebounds, while California ranks at 51st in defensive rebounds.
Opponents have had an average turnover percentage of 18.5% when playing Sam Houston State this season. California is undefeated this season (1-0) when its TO% is 18.5% or higher.
