California Golden Bears vs
North Carolina Tar HeelsPredictions & Preview

California Golden Bears to Face North Carolina Tar Heels in First-Ever ACC Matchup, Tar Heels Favored by 14.5 Points

The California Golden Bears will face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels in their first-ever meeting as ACC members on Wednesday night in Chapel Hill. The Golden Bears are 8-8 this season and 1-4 in the conference, while the Tar Heels have won three straight games and hold a 4-1 ACC record. The matchup is set to begin at 7:00 pm EST, with North Carolina favored to win by 14.5 points according to betting odds that have remained unchanged. Stay tuned for the prediction of the Cal/UNC game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Golden Bears +760 | Tar Heels -1300
• Spread: Golden Bears +14.5 (-110) | Tar Heels -14.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 159.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that North Carolina will win straight-up is 93%.

California vs North Carolina Stats

California Golden Bears

The Cal Golden Bears suffered a close loss to Virginia Tech at home, dropping their record to 8-8 overall and 1-4 in ACC play. The team struggled with poor shooting in the first half but mounted a comeback in the second, led by Andrej Stojakovic's 24 points. Head coach Mark Madsen remains optimistic about the team's future in the ACC despite the recent losses. Looking ahead, the Bears aim to bounce back with a significant road win at North Carolina. Cal ranks 10th in scoring offense in the ACC and faces key injuries. In terms of statistics, the Golden Bears rank 118 in offense and 293 in defense, with strengths in free throw shooting and three-pointers. Defensively, they struggle with field goal percentage and three-point defense. Overall, the team continues to face challenges but remains focused on improvement and future success in the conference.

North Carolina Tar Heels Analysis

The North Carolina Tar Heels secured a 63-61 win over rival NC State on Saturday, extending their win streak to three games. Jalen Washington's double-double and key plays in the final seconds sealed the victory for the Tar Heels. Heading into Wednesday's game against Cal, head coach Hubert Davis praised his team's versatility. The Tar Heels are 11-6 on the season and ranked second in the ACC for scoring. They will look to continue their winning streak and improve their 3-point shooting. The team has no key injuries to report. In sports wagering, the Tar Heels have a power ranking of 176 and are ranked #23 for offense. Cal has gone 0-0 in their last three matchups against North Carolina.

Cal Faces Uphill Battle Against UNC's Offensive Powerhouse

Madsen has shown effective leadership in guiding Cal's team towards improvement this season, however, they face a challenging matchup against UNC at the Dean Smith Center. UNC has a strong record of 6-1 at home and is currently on a three-game winning streak. The disparity in crowd size between Cal's home gym, which accommodates less than 5000 spectators, and UNC's Dean Smith Center, which regularly hosts 15,000 fans, presents a significant adjustment for the Bears. Cal's defensive rankings in the ACC are not favorable, ranking 15th in scoring defense and 17th in field goal defense, which poses a major obstacle against UNC's high-scoring offense ranking second in scoring and fifth in field goal shooting in the ACC. It is anticipated the Heels will dominate the game with their offensive prowess, making them the favorable choice to win.

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