The No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (15-1, 4-0 ACC) are set to take on the California Golden Bears (13-4, 1-3) this Wednesday, with tip-off scheduled for 11 p.m. ET at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California. This highly anticipated matchup is already stirring conversation among fans and analysts alike, especially considering Duke’s recent performance and history with Cal.
In their previous encounter on February 12, 2025, Duke decisively defeated Cal 78-57 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Despite the loss, the Golden Bears managed to cover the spread as 23.5-point underdogs. Duke is coming off a hard-fought 82-75 victory over SMU, with standout performances from G Isaiah Evans, who scored 21 points, and F Cameron Boozer, who contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds. The Blue Devils are currently on a four-game winning streak and have consistently scored at least 82 points in their games since an earlier setback against Texas Tech.
Despite their strong scoring, Duke has struggled against the spread, holding a 1-5 record in their last six games and 2-8 across their previous ten. The Over has been favorable in recent games, hitting five times in their last six outings, indicating a tendency towards higher-scoring matchups.
Meanwhile, Cal is looking to bounce back after a close 78-75 loss at Virginia Tech last Saturday. The Golden Bears displayed depth during the game, with five players reaching double-digit points, led by G Dai Dai Ames’s impressive 21 points. However, Cal will face challenges as they have only managed to secure one win in their last four games and have struggled to cover the spread in conference play.
BetMGM Sportsbook provides interesting betting odds for this matchup, favoring Duke heavily with a moneyline of -1000 against Cal’s +625. The spread stands at Duke -12.5, reflecting a substantial confidence in Duke’s ability to dominate. The over/under is set at 152.5, suggesting that both teams have the potential to contribute to a high-scoring game.
As the game approaches, predictions lean towards a Duke victory, with a projected final score of 89-74. While betting on Duke’s win may seem low in return, there are strategic plays to be made elsewhere, particularly in the over/under line. Given both teams’ current scoring trends, taking the Over at -110 could be a promising option.
Overall, this matchup not only carries weight in the current season but also reflects the evolving rivalry between these two schools in their shared conference. As the teams prepare to meet on the court, fans can expect a thrilling and potentially high-scoring contest, with hopes high on both sides for a strong performance.