The California Bears take on the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, MO. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Missouri is favored by 9 points on the spread with a moneyline of -470. The total is set at 150.5 points.
Here’s my California vs. Missouri predictions and college basketball picks for December 3, 2024.
California vs Missouri Prediction
My Pick: Cal +9
My California vs Missouri best bet is on the Golden Bears spread, with the best odds currently available at Caesars. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Cal vs Missouri Odds
| California Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9 -108 | 150.5 -112 / -108 | +360 |
| Missouri Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9 -112 | 150.5 -112 / -108 | -470 |
- California vs Missouri spread: Missouri -9
- California vs Missouri over/under: 150.5 points
- California vs Missouri moneyline: Missouri -470, Cal +360
- California vs Missouri best bet: Cal +9
Spread
I'm taking the Golden Bears on the spread.
Moneyline
I'm avoiding the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: Cal +9
California vs Missouri College Basketball Betting Preview
Missouri has ripped off six wins in row since falling to Memphis in its opening game of the season. Caleb Grill, Tamar Bates and Mark Mitchell are averaging double figures in scoring, and transfers like Marques Warrick, Tony Perkins and Josh Gray give the Tigers depth.
But they haven't played anyone of significance since that opening game against Memphis.
In fact, during this six-game stretch, the best team Missouri faced was Howard, which is 273rd in KenPom. The Tigers have faced three of the 16 worst teams in college basketball (Lindenwood, Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff), according to KenPom.
Cal isn't expected to be an NCAA Tournament team this season, and it should finish near the bottom of the ACC, based on preseason projections. However, the Golden Bears have a few things working in their favor when it comes to covering the spread in this particular game.
First, the Golden Bears have already played two true road games this season against power-conference opponents (Vanderbilt and USC). In the Vanderbilt game, Cal lost by 16, but Mark Madsen's bunch upset USC outright as a 10-point underdog in the second affair.
Second, Missouri has No. 1 Kansas coming up on Saturday in the "Border War" rivalry, making this a serious lookahead spot.
Finally, the Golden Bears have the experience and depth to match the Tigers, which is important in an early-season college basketball game.
Cal has one senior and four juniors in its top seven scorers, while the Tigers have four seniors and a junior in their top seven.
Similar to the USC game in which I took Cal as underdogs, this is just took many points.
