Can Golden Bears prowl way past Utes?
California dreamers no longer, the Golden Bears must nonetheless slay another higher-seeded foe if they wish to continue a late-season surge through the Pac-12.
Online sports book Bovada.lv anticipates a tightly contested affair to close out the night of quarterfinal action at the MGM Grand Arena. No. 12 Utah currently sits as a 2-point favorite over Cal, though this one feels akin to a toss-up through and through.
The Golden Bears’ balanced lineup gives many a league threat trouble, whereas the Utes typically travel as far as Jakob Poeltl will carry them. The Pac-12 Player of the Year poured in 14 points and corralled eight rebounds in Thursday’s 80-72 victory over USC. He hasn’t quite been the same force of nature since the latter half of February, but still garners buckets in bunches when the situation demands as much.
On the California side, Jaylen Brown orchestrates a more versatile, albeit similarly fast, tempo. He went off for 27 in a nine-point defeat at Utah on Jan. 27 – and will probably need every bit as many to show Cal the winning way this evening.
In any event, prepare for points galore. The over/under figure of 138 is mystifyingly low, so take advantage.
FRIDAY NCAA FREE PICK: CAL/UTAH OVER 138
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