[10:05 PM] #12 Virginia @ California

Who will WIN this matchup?

#12 Virginia Cavaliers (9-1)

@ California Golden Bears (9-2)

 

• The line for this game is Virginia by 2.5 points.

• California senior wing Jabari Bird is heating up just in time for Wednesday’s key non-conference home game against No. 10 Virginia, which leads the nation in scoring defense at 46.7 points per game. Bird missed six early-season games due to back spasms but dazzled in Saturday’s 81-55 rout of Cal Poly with four 3-pointers and a career-high 25 points.

• Center Devon Hall became the seventh Cavalier to share top scoring honors in a game on Saturday when he matched his career high with 13 points in a 79-39 victory over Robert Morris. Virginia looked well-rested following a 10-day layoff for final exams and held the Colonials to 23.9 percent shooting while recording 21 assists on 31 field goals. The Cavaliers have outrebounded eight of their first 10 opponents and possess a deep frontcourt led by 6-foot-7 forward Isaiah Wilkins, who has a team-high 17 steals along with 13 blocked shots.

• A preseason All-American, the 6-11 Rabb has been limited in recent games with a minor hand injury but looked sharp on Saturday, when he scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. Freshman point guard Charlie Moore continued his strong play with 12 points and five assists but will be tested by the veteran Perrantes, who figures to have plenty of friends and family in the crowd. Starting center Kameron Rooks (knee surgery) is out for another 2-3 weeks, but 7-footer Kingsley Okoroh has stepped up in his absence and had 11 rebounds in the win over Cal Poly.

• Virginia recorded a 63-62 overtime victory over Cal in Charlottesville last season.

• The Bears are 24-2 in non-conference home games under Martin.

• Virginia is 86-4 when scoring at least 70 points under coach Tony Bennett.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Virginia Cavaliers  

Confidence: 5/10

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