California Golden Bears at Stanford Cardinal
Maples Pavilion – Palo Alto, California
Sunday, March 4, 2012, 5:30 pm Eastern, TV: FSN
Opening Line: Pick
Current Line: Pick
Opening Money Line: 129 1/2
Current Money Line: 130
Opening Money Line: Cal -115 / Stanford -105
Current Money Line: Cal -110 / Stanford -110
The Washington Huskies could have clinched the Pac 12 regular season title outright yesterday with a win at UCLA. However, the Huskies lost 75-69. Washington’s loss could be Cal’s gain. If the Golden Bears can win at rival Stanford Sunday, then Cal will tie Washington at 14-4 for the conference crown. The Golden Bears won at Washington earlier in the season so Cal would hold the tiebreaker. If Cal loses to Stanford, then Washington would win the title outright. Cal lost at Colorado last week 70-57 to snap a 6 game winning streak for the 23-7 Bears.
Stanford is 19-10 this season, and 9-8 in the Pac 12. Stanford lost at Utah last week 58-57 in their last game. The Cardinal are locked into the #7 seed at next week’s Pac 12 tournament. Cal leads the series 144-114 against Stanford, and has won two straight against the Cardinal. Cal won 69-59 in Berkeley at the end of January.
Cal is coached by former longtime Stanford coach Mike Montgomery. The Bears have losses to Missouri, UNLV, San Diego St, Oregon St, Washington St, and Arizona. Cal has wins over UC-Irvine, George Washington, Georgia, San Diego St, San Jose St, Weber St, UC-Santa Barbara, USC twice, UCLA twice, Oregon twice, Colorado, Utah twice, Washington, Arizona St, and Oregon St.
Stanford is coached by Johnny Dawkins. The Cardinal have losses to Syracuse, Butler, Oregon twice, Washington St, Washington, Arizona, and UCLA. Stanford has wins over Fresno St, Colorado St, Oklahoma St, Pacific, NC State, San Diego, UCLA, USC twice, Oregon St twice, Utah, Colorado twice, and Arizona St.
Cal is outscoring opponents 72-61 this season. The Golden Bears shoot 48.1% from the field, including 37.1% from 3 point range. The Bears are #20 in field goal percentage. Cal makes 75.1% from the free throw line. The Golden Bears average 34.8 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +4.3. Cal averages 16.1 assists, 11.8 turnovers, 4.9 steals, and 3.1 blocks a game. Cal opponents are shooting 40.8% from the field, including 32.4% from 3 point range. The Golden Bears force 13.3 turnovers a game.
California guard Allen Crabbe averages 15.2 points, 5.7 rebounds to lead the team, and 2.2 assists a game. He shoots 41.2% from 3 point range. Jorge Gutierrez is averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals a game to tie for the team lead. Justin Cobbs averages 13 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5 assists to lead the team, and 1.2 steals a game. Cobbs makes 46.3% of his 3 point attempts. Harper Kamp averages 11.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game. Richard Solomon led the team in rebounds with 6.2 a game and blocks with 1.2 a game. Solomon is out for the season due to being ineligible. David Kravish averages 5.7 rebounds to tie for the team lead and 1.2 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard Alex Rossi is questionable with an abdominal injury.
Stanford is outscoring opponents 70-62 this season. The Cardinal are shooting 44% from the field, and 36.3% from 3 point range. Stanford makes 65.3% from the free throw line. The Cardinal average 37.3 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +6. Stanford averages 12.4 assists, 14.2 turnovers, 6 steals and 3.2 blocks a game. Cardinal opponents are shooting 41.6% from the field and 33.2% from 3 point range. Stanford forces 14.6 turnovers a game.
Stanford guard Chasson Randle averages 13 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 steal a game to lead the team. He is shooting 43.2% from 3 point range. Forward-center Josh Owens averages 12.4 points and 6 rebounds a game to lead the team. Aaron Bright averages 11 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists to lead the team. He makes 40.6% of his 3 point attempts. Anthony Brown averages 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. Josh Huestis leads the team in blocks with 1.1 a game and also averages 5.2 rebounds a game. Reserve guard Gabriel Harris is out for the season with a knee injury.
Stanford is 13-13 ATS and the total is 12-14 this season. Cal is 16-12 ATS and the total is 10-18 this season. The favorite in this series is 18-6 ATS in the last 24 and the home team is 6-1 in the last 7. The Golden Bears are 6-1 ATS after failing to cover, and 5-1 after a straight up loss. The Cardinal are 2-6 ATS against teams with winning records.
Though Cal has much more to play for, this game is far from meaningless for Stanford. The Cardinal would like nothing more than to keep their hated rival from clinching the conference title on Stanford’s home court. I don’t see it happening as Stanford is just too inconsistent.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in March and are releasing winners and key plays every day until they cut down the nets in New Orleans next month.
