The Oregon Ducks are one of the hottest teams in the country and are making their push to move into the top-10 nationally. They are undefeated in the Pac-12 and will aim to remain that way in a home matchup against the California Bears.
While UCLA is seen as the best team in the conference, Oregon has a win over the Bruins already and is ahead of them in the standings. California is a solid team but must go on the road against an impressive foe and thus will be the underdog.
At 9 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN2 for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Thursday, January 19, 2017, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon.
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Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oregon is 16-2 straight up and 9-8 against the spread. The Ducks have played in 10 home games this season and have covered in five of those. They have been the favorite in 15 games this season and have gone 8-7 against the spread when giving points.
Cal is 13-5 straight up but only 7-11 against the spread. The Bears have gone on the road three times and have covered in two of those contests. California has not done very well as the favorite but much better as the underdog, covering twice out of three times when getting points.
Key Stat
14. That’s the winning streak Oregon brings into this matchup. The Ducks last lost to Georgetown back in only their fourth game of the season. The loss was the second in the team’s first four games but since then they have been flawless.
Oregon didn’t turn many heads in non-conference action, but has hit a groove in Pac-12 play. The Ducks started off with a huge home win over UCLA, and has since knocked off USC, Washington, Washington State and Oregon State.
The Ducks score more than 80 points per game while allowing less than 64, which is an impressive combination. The team’s leading scorer is Chris Boucher, who is averaging 13.7 points per game while adding 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per contest. Dillon Brooks is the other key player, as he is averaging 13.6 points and 3.1 assists per game.
Player to Watch
Ivan Rabb -- Oregon has the better depth but it will need to contend with one of the better players in the conference. Rabb, California’s sophomore forward, had a nice debut last season and has taken another step forward.
He is averaging 15.6 points and an impressive 11.1 rebounds per game while shooting 53.6 percent from the field. The Bears have a pair of other solid players in Charlie Moore and Jabari Bird, but Rabb is the one who can really give his a team a shot at sticking close in this one.
Rabb has put together some impressive games in the conference season, including 20 points, 15 rebounds and five assists against Arizona State and 17 points and 20 rebounds against UCLA.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
California has done well in the conference, winning three in a row after some close losses early to Arizona and UCLA. The Bears have the talent to keep this one close, but Oregon is playing too well currently.
The Ducks have impressive depth and balance. California is a solid team which seems on track to make a run for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. This would be a signature win, but Oregon won’t let that happen.
The Ducks are pushing for Pac-12 supremacy and a high seed in March Madness. The Bears can keep this one close but Oregon will defend its home court and remain atop the conference.
College Basketball Odds: Oregon 79, Cal 75
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