North Carolina vs Cal Prediction, Picks & Odds | 17 Jan 2026
College Basketball Betting Preview: North Carolina vs Cal
The North Carolina Tar Heels go up against the California Golden Bears, with tip-off scheduled for 16:00 on Saturday, January 17.
We’ve lined up a prediction which requires Cal to keep close to North Carolina. We think that the line of +6.5 can be covered and you can secure -120.
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North Carolina Tar Heels lost on the road in their previous game. Stanford Cardinal won 95-90.
California Golden Bears were defeated last time out. They were beaten at home to Duke Blue Devils by a 71-56 scoreline.
Head-to-Head Statistics
The scoreline was 79-53 in favor of North Carolina when they last played Cal.
| NCAAB | Overall | PF | PA | N. Pts | Home | Away | Strk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North Carolina
|
14-3 | 1397 | 1168 | 229 | 12-0 | 2-3 | 1L |
California
|
13-5 | 1413 | 1261 | 152 | 13-2 | 0-3 | 3L |
North Carolina vs Cal Prediction & Picks
Our North Carolina vs Cal betting preview covers everything you need, including a key match prediction, correct score insight, top player prop bets and a value-packed bet builder recommendation.
Game Prediction
With Cal being given a line of +6.5 to overcome in this college matchup, our pick is that they can cover this. There’s the chance to get -120 for this outcome.
Knowing which players are injured gives us a valuable edge when making basketball predictions. After reviewing the form guide, we turn to the latest stats to shape our college hoops picks.
Key North Carolina vs Cal stats:
Cal +6.5 Probability
The top betting sites are estimating that there is a 54.6% likelihood of this pick winning. Our experts think there’s a stronger chance of success and calculate the probability to be closer to 60%. That means we’re regarding it as a value bet.
Bigger prices can be secured for bettors who are prepared to move the line. The odds increase according to how much risk you are prepared to have with your wager.
Don’t miss the chance to claim free bets using our exclusive betting promo codes —check our bonus guide before placing your bets.
Player Prop Picks
Dai Dai Ames (Cal) can be wagered to total Under 1.5 assists at +140. He’s not guaranteed to cover the Player Assists line and we’re happy to take this bet.
Latest Dai Dai Ames Player Prop Odds
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Justin Pippen (Cal) can be backed to rack up Over 3.5 rebounds at +130. We think it’s achievable that he will cover the Player Rebounds line based on the information to hand.
Latest Justin Pippen Player Prop Odds
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Same Game Parlay Picks
Our same game parlay pick is Cal +6.5 on the spread, Under 151.5 and Dai Dai Ames (Cal) to get Under 1.5 assists.
Should you want to back different picks for the same game, then a same game parlay will suit your needs. The betting sites create this personalised basketball wagering tool where you can choose different selections and combine the odds together.
Correct Score Prediction
74
-
70
Cal
We’ll throw a dart when it comes to the Tar Heels claiming a 74-70 victory. This correct score pick is available at huge odds and could be an entertaining bet to place.
North Carolina vs Cal Odds
The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the above betting predictions.
With a 74% chance of securing victory, North Carolina are favorites for this college game and the sportsbooks have them at betting odds of -278. At +220, California are regarded as having a lower probability of winning.
There is a spread of 6.5 and total points has a line of 151.5. A Total wager relates to the number of points that will be scored overall. If you want to bet Under 151.5, there are odds of -110.
If you’re wagering on college basketball, we recommend heading to the top betting apps and scanning through the many game lines and team props. There’s a chance to wager pre-game and in-game.
Caleb Wilson is favorite when it comes to hitting the most buckets. You can get -100 that he goes Over 20.5 points and -130 when it comes to Under.
It’s possible to use stats to your advantage when it comes to college basketball micro betting, especially if you’re predicting outcomes such as the Next Field Goal. Check out the live player, score and team props to see if you can find an angle.
Latest regular season and playoff games stats.
North Carolina Stats
Cal Stats
- 8 wins and 2 defeats in the last 10 games
- 5 wins and 5 defeats in the last 10 games on the road
- -6.5 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 5 of the last 10 games
- -6.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the spread in 3 of the last 10 games on the road
- +6.5 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 7 of the last 10 games
- +6.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the spread in 8 of the last 10 home games
- Game Totals: An average of 152.20 pts in the previous 10 games
- Game Totals on the Road: An average of 148.90 pts in the previous 10 games on the road
- Over 151.5: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 games
- Over 151.5 on the Road: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 games on the road
- Team Totals: Have scored an average of 81.40 pts and allowed 70.80 pts in the last 10 games
- Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 75.80 pts and allowed 73.10 pts in the last 10 games on the road
- Game Totals: An average of 144.50 pts in the previous 10 games
- Game Totals at Home: An average of 145.10 pts in the previous 10 home games
- Over 151.5: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 games
- Over 151.5 at Home: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 home games
- Team Totals: Have scored an average of 74.30 pts and allowed 70.20 pts in the last 10 games
- Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 76.70 pts and allowed 68.40 pts in the last 10 home games
NCAAB Table Select Season
| Atlantic Coast | Overall | PF | PA | N. Pts | Home | Away | Strk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Duke
|
16-1 | 1459 | 1121 | 338 | 10-0 | 6-1 | 5W |
Virginia
|
16-2 | 1512 | 1207 | 305 | 11-0 | 5-2 | 5W |
Miami
|
15-2 | 1492 | 1176 | 316 | 11-1 | 4-1 | 10W |
Clemson
|
15-3 | 1397 | 1166 | 231 | 11-0 | 4-3 | 8W |
|
North Carolina
|
14-3 | 1397 | 1168 | 229 | 12-0 | 2-3 | 1L |
Stanford
|
14-4 | 1403 | 1291 | 112 | 9-3 | 5-1 | 1W |
Virginia Tech
|
14-5 | 1564 | 1407 | 157 | 12-1 | 2-4 | 1W |
SMU
|
13-5 | 1571 | 1381 | 190 | 12-1 | 1-4 | 1L |
|
California
|
13-5 | 1413 | 1261 | 152 | 13-2 | 0-3 | 3L |
Syracuse
|
12-5 | 1290 | 1137 | 153 | 9-2 | 3-3 | 3W |
Louisville
|
12-5 | 1483 | 1193 | 290 | 9-2 | 3-3 | 1L |
NC State
|
12-6 | 1545 | 1289 | 256 | 9-4 | 3-2 | 1L |
Wake Forest
|
10-7 | 1390 | 1282 | 108 | 8-3 | 2-4 | 2L |
Georgia Tech
|
11-8 | 1436 | 1388 | 48 | 10-4 | 1-4 | 1W |
Notre Dame
|
10-8 | 1321 | 1247 | 74 | 8-3 | 2-5 | 4L |
Pittsburgh
|
8-9 | 1260 | 1179 | 81 | 6-5 | 2-4 | 1W |
Florida State
|
7-10 | 1413 | 1395 | 18 | 7-5 | 0-5 | 4L |
Boston College
|
7-10 | 1154 | 1160 | -6 | 6-6 | 1-4 | 4L |
- Overall = Overall Wins-Losses
- PF = Total Points For
- PA = Total Points Against
- N. Pts = Point Differential
- Home = Home Record
- Away = Away Record
- Strk = Current Streak
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