The Cal Golden Bears and the USC Trojans meet in college basketball action from the Galen Center on Wednesday night. Two 0-2 teams in Pac-12 conference play, who gets their first conference win of the season? Let’s dive in and find out with our Cal vs. USC Prediction.
Cal Team Preview
The Cal Golden Bears come into this one looking to rebound from a 71-69 loss to Arizona State last time out. Jaylon Tyson leads the Golden Bears in scoring and assists with 19.7 PPG and 3.4 APG in addition to 7.4 RPG while Fardaws Aimaq has 16.4 PPG with a team-high 10.6 RPG to lead Cal on the glass this season, averaging a double-double per game. Jalen Cone has 15.2 PPG while Keonte Kennedy has 11.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG with 3.2 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Cal so far this season. As a team, Cal is averaging 75.8 PPG on 43.3% shooting from the field, 32.9% from three and 72.5% from the foul line this season. California will face UCLA after this one.
USC Team Preview
The USC Trojans will look to rebound from back-to-back losses after an 86-70 loss at the hands of Oregon State last time out. Boogie Ellis leads the Trojans in scoring with 18.8 PPG along with 3.7 RPG and 3.2 APG while Isaiah Collier has 15 PPG with a team-high 4.2 APG to lead the Trojans in assists. Kobe Johnson has 10.7 PPG with 4.8 RPG and 3.3 APG to lead the Trojans on the glass while rounding out the trio of double-digit scorers for USC so far this season. Joshua Morgan also has 4.8 RPG as well on the year. As a team, USC is averaging 77.5 PPG on 45.3% shooting from the field, 35.1% from three and 72% from the foul line this season.
Cal vs. USC Prediction
I’m on Cal and the points here. I get that USC gets to go back home after a tough four-game road trip, but the results weren’t great and USC just looks like one of the bigger disappointments of any power conference this season. There weren’t many expectations for Cal in year one under Mark Madsen, but this team’s been competitive and I think there’s a bunch of avenues for the Golden Bears to keep this game close as well. Give me Cal and the points here.
