NCAAB Odds, Pick for Cal vs Stanford

Cal takes on Stanford on Thursday, March 7 at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Here's NCAAB odds and a pick for Cal vs Stanford.

Thursday night’s Pac-12 matchup between the Cal Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinal is steeped in intrigue, not just as a rivalry game but also for sports bettors looking to capitalize on the last few games left of college hoops.

This game, held at Stanford, isn’t just a battle for local bragging rights; it’s a revenge match for Stanford looking to defend its home court against a Cal team it lost to less than two months ago.

The Golden Bears’ season has been a mixed bag, with their offense not quite lighting up the scoreboard, ranking 103rd in adjusted efficiency. Their struggle in creating high-percentage shots is evident (235th in eFG%) and signals their difficulty in both the paint and beyond the arc.

However, their relatively better handling of the ball (100th in turnover percentage) implies a disciplined approach.

On the defensive side, the Bears have shown some resilience, particularly on the boards, where their 63rd rank in defensive rebounding assists in their overall ranking of 135th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.

Cal’s high free-throw rate allowed (169th), however, points to a penchant for committing fouls that could prove costly in close contests, especially against a good free-throw shooting team in Stanford.

Stanford, on the other hand, presents an offense that’s slightly more efficient overall (96th in adjusted efficiency). The Cardinal's ability to make shots (31st in eFG%) highlights a more effective offensive strategy, despite a troubling 252nd rank in turnover percentage.

The Cardinal’s offensive rebounding and free-throw rate are areas of concern, with dismal rankings that indicate missed opportunities for additional points.

Defensively, Stanford struggles significantly with contesting shots (277th in eFG%) and pressuring ball handlers (300th in TO%).

However, their defensive rebounding and ability to avoid fouling, evidenced by a decent rank in free-throw rate allowed, show some defensive bright spots.

Everything you need to bet like a PRO!

Eye-popping betting model edges

Sharp action signals for every slate

Player prop picks bursting with value

GO PRO NOW!

Considering the similarities between these two teams and the game being held at Stanford, taking Stanford to cover the 3.5-point spread seems to be the best bet for this matchup.

The Cardinal’s superior shooting efficiency and relatively better free-throw shooting provide them with a crucial edge in a matchup that could be decided by a few key possessions.

Despite their challenges with turnovers and offensive rebounding, Stanford’s ability to convert on the chances it does create should be enough to overcome a Cal team that's struggled to consistently generate offense all season.

Moreover, the narrative elements — such as Stanford’s home-court advantage and the revenge aspect of this rivalry — add an extra layer of motivation for the Cardinal.

Take Stanford -3.5 and expect around a six-point win by the Cardinal.

Pick: Stanford -3.5