Cal State-Bakersfield vs Cal Prediction - College Basketball Picks 11/13/23

The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners and California Golden Bears face off on Monday in a college basketball showdown at Haas Pavilion. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Cal State Bakersfield Looks to Bounce Back

Cal State Bakersfield sits with a 1-1 record overall, but they didn’t look great in the last game. The Roadrunners faced off against the USC Trojans and the offense just wasn’t good enough. Cal State Bakersfield only scored 59 points while the defense gave up 89 points. At halftime, they were down 47-23 and they never bounced back. Guard Kaleb Higgins was the top player putting up 19 points and five assists. The only other player to score in double figures was Cameron Wilbon and he finished with 10 points and two rebounds. In this game, the Roadrunners are going to need the defense to be better. 

Could Be A Long Season for Cal

Cal comes into this game with a 1-1 record, but even in their win, they weren’t all that impressive. In the first game against St. Thomas, Cal beat St Thomas 71-66 but they followed that up with an 87-79 defeat at the hands of the Pacific. The way the defense played has to be a major concern for what this team is going to be able to do the rest of the year. The offense was good in that game and it was Jaylon Tyson who put up 20 points. There were three different players that finished with at least 16 points. In this game, the defense is going to need to step up or it could be a long game.