NCAAB betting: Cal vs. Arizona odds, pick for Thursday, Feb. 1

Cal vs Arizona Odds

Thursday, Feb. 1, 8:30 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)

Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAB odds here.

Cal Golden Bears

It's been a really solid start for Mark Madsen at Cal. The last five years under Wyking Jones and Mark Fox were a total embarrassment for the program, but it's in a way better state under Madsen in just one half of his first season.

The 8-12 record isn't amazing, but Cal already surpassed last year's conference win total. That's a total win for Madsen and the Cal administration.

A pair of Texas Tech imports — Fardaws Aimaq and Jaylon Tyson — form one of the most productive duos in the Pac-12.

Tyson is easily one of the most explosive scorers in the conference, leading the Pac-12 with 20.2 points per game. The 6-foot-7 guard provides big-time scoring ability from all three levels while also flashing good passing ability.

Aimaq against Oumar Ballo is a fun matchup. A double-double machine, Aimaq is averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per contest. He's more versatile than Ballo, who's more of a bruising big. Aimaq can stretch the floor and attack less agile bigs like Ballo.

Cal is very boom-or-bust due to its dependence on 3-point shooting, as it's attempting triples on 41% of its field goals. The Golden Bears' roster doesn't have a ton of knockdown shooters besides Tyson, so the occasional strong shooting night from Jalen Cone and Keonte Kennedy could shift a game.

Both Cone and Kennedy attempt a fair amount of 3s but hit 31% or worse.

Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcats look like a totally different team at home, winning three conference games over USC, Colorado and Utah by 15+ points each.

That's a stark difference from Arizona's play on the road, where the Cats lost against Oregon, Washington State and Stanford.

Arizona is one of the quickest-tempo teams in America, functioning as the 11th-fastest unit in America. Slowing the Wildcats down is hard, especially with two explosive, dynamic guards like Caleb Love and Kylan Boswell.

Fresh off a 36-point game, Love will look for another big scoring performance at home.

Additionally, Arizona's best single-game conference performance came in Berkeley against California, winning 100-81. In the dominant win, Tommy Lloyd's squad rattled off 1.22 points per possession and shot 63% from 2-point range. The Golden Bears' defense never found an answer for Arizona's rampant-paced offense.

One of the biggest strengths for Arizona is rebounding, as it ranks top-10 in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage. Ballo is part of the equation — securing over nine boards per game — but four of five starters record four or more rebounds per game.

The only player who doesn't is Boswell, and if you asked Coach Lloyd, I'm sure he's more than fine with his point guard not battling seven-footers for rebounds.

The four Wildcat starters create extra scoring opportunities and get into transition quickly off misses. That's a major plus for the Cats.

Cal vs. Arizona

Betting Pick & Prediction

Arizona should impose its will quickly and put the Golden Bears into a tough situation.

I can't see Cal's mediocre defense improving against Arizona the second time around.

The pace favors the Wildcats, which lends to the game being lopsided if Arizona hits shots.

Pick: Arizona -17 (Play to -17.5)