Houston vs California Prediction
In this Houston vs California Prediction, Houston is coming as -19.5 favorites. Both teams are coming off wins in their previous games and both have been undefeated so far, being excellent on the offensive end, as they are averaging 193.5 points per game combined. California’s defense has also been suspect, as they managed to allow 86 points from a Division II team and will have trouble against a Houston offense that shot with 54.4% from the field in its first game. The total is very low because Houston had the second-best defense in the country last season and the total was set at 135.5 points in its first game, with the game going over that number. I expect a similar scenario in this matchup, so take the over 145.5 points in this one.
California Golden Bears Preview
The California Golden Bears have a 2-0 overall record and are coming off an 84-70 home win against Radford and will face Southern California and Utah Tech next.
Offensively, they are averaging 99.5 points per game, while allowing 78 points per game defensively and have a 128.4 offensive rating and a 100.6 defensive rating. The Golden Bears are shooting 55.2% from the field and 48.3% from beyond the arc, while allowing their opponents to shoot with 43% from the field and 29.9% from the 3-point range. They are grabbing 37.5 rebounds per game and allow 36 rebounds per game off their opponents, while averaging 24 assists per game and allowing their opponents to dish 19 assists per game. They average 3 blocks per game and 7 steals per game.
Nojus Indrusaitis leads California in scoring, averaging 25 ppg on 65.4% shooting from the field. Michael Cooper and Jake Wilkins follow with 20 ppg and 12.5 ppg respectively, with Cooper shooting 56% from the field and Wilkins shooting 66.7% from the field. Jake Wilkins adds a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game, while Jordan Ross leads the team in assists with 8 per game.
Houston Cougars Preview
The Houston Cougars have a 1-0 overall record and are coming off a 94-55 home win against La Salle and will face Jacksonville State and Rutgers next.
Offensively, they are averaging 94 points per game, while allowing 55 points per game defensively and have a 124.1 offensive rating and a 72.6 defensive rating. The Cougars are shooting 54.4% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc, while allowing their opponents to shoot with 25% from the field and 20.5% from the 3-point range. They are grabbing 47 rebounds per game and allow 32 rebounds per game off their opponents, while averaging 21 assists per game and allowing their opponents to dish 11 assists per game. They average 3 blocks per game and 11 steals per game.
Dedan Thomas Jr. leads Houston in scoring, averaging 16 ppg on 28.6% shooting from the field. Corey Hadnot II and Delrecco Gillespie follow with 14 ppg and 13 ppg respectively, with Hadnot II shooting 60% from the field and Gillespie shooting 83.3% from the field. Delrecco Gillespie adds a team-high 7 rebounds per game, while Dedan Thomas Jr. leads the team in assists with 5 per game.
Houston Cougars @ California Golden Bears Betting Trends: November 8, 2026
Why the California Golden Bears will win
- California has won eight of its last nine night games against non-Conference opponents.
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- Houston has won each of its last 47 games as a top-15 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
- California has lost each of its last 18 night games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
- California has lost the first half in each of its last 12 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of California’s last six games have produced a total of 151+ points.
- Twenty-two of Houston’s last 25 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 145 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- California ranks T11th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (24.0).
- California ranks 11th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (67.9%).
- Houston ranks T3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (15.0).
- Houston ranks T362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (39.0).