Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs
California Golden BearsPredictions & Preview

Wake Forest Favored to Win in Hardwood Matchup Against Cal in Golden State showdown

In a hardwood matchup in the Golden State, Wake Forest is set to take on Cal this Saturday afternoon. After both teams secured victories in their previous games, Wake Forest is favored to win with the current line set at -2.5. The Demon Deacons have a historical advantage over Cal with a 2-1 lead in the all-time series, including a win in their last meeting in 2000. With recent momentum on their side, Wake Forest looks to continue their success on the court.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Demon Deacons -160 | Golden Bears +133
• Spread: Demon Deacons -2.5 (-110) | Golden Bears +2.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 141.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Wake Forest will win straight-up is 62%.

Wake Forest vs California Stats

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest secured a victory against Stanford, improving their record to 17-6 overall with a 9-3 conference record. The Demon Deacons shot 52.1% from the field and 75.2% from the free throw line in the game, with Cameron Hildreth leading the team with 22 points. Wake Forest averages 70.1 points per game, ranks 48th in scoring defense allowing 66.5 points per game, and shoots 44.7% from the field as a team. They are ranked 257th in power ranking, 282nd in offense, and 48th in defense. Wake Forest has a well-rounded team with multiple key players contributing on both ends of the floor, and their performance at the free throw line has been a strength for the team this season.

California Golden Bears Analysis

Cal broke a two-game losing streak by defeating NC State on Wednesday night, bringing their overall record to 12-11 and tying them for ninth in the ACC with a 5-7 conference mark. The Golden Bears led by as many as eight points in the first half and maintained a four-point lead at halftime. They went on a 10-2 run in the second half to secure a 54-48 lead and held off the Wolfpack for the win. Cal shot 42.2% from the field and dominated the rebounding battle, winning 44-32. Jovan Blacksher Jr. led the team with 18 points in the victory. The Golden Bears have an average of 75.2 points per game, ranking 158th in the nation in scoring offense. Their defense allows 75 points per game, placing them at 276th nationally in scoring defense. Andrej Stojakovic leads the team with 18.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Cal relies on various players for offensive production, with BJ Omot expected to miss the rest of the season. The team shoots 42.4% from the field, makes 7.2 three-pointers per game, and shoots 75.5% from the free-throw line. Despite being ranked 163rd in power rankings, the Golden Bears have strengths and weaknesses on both offense and defense.

Cal faces tough challenge against Wake Forest as defensive struggles continue and key player remains sidelined

This upcoming game will be a significant challenge for Cal, as they have faced difficulties on the defensive end throughout this season. The absence of Omot has been felt by the Golden Bears, emphasizing the importance of standout performances from Petraitis and Stojakovic. Wake Forest has a record of 4-4 on the road, with their losses only coming from top 50 KenPom ranked teams. Despite Cal's strong start of 6-1, their recent record of 6-10 in the last 16 games raises concerns. Although they have shown improvement with four wins in the last six games, they may struggle to contain Wake Forest's offensive capabilities. Predictably, the Demon Deacons are expected to secure a victory over Cal during this upcoming match.

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