Previewing Boston College Men’s Basketball @ University of California

What

Don’t look now but BC is tied for first place in the ACC! As fans we should do our best to enjoy it while it lasts. The Eagles take their three game win streak on the road to face the Golden Bears of California. Aside from Notre Dame, BC has only faced mediocre competition and have won comfortably but Cal provides a bit tougher test before they face Duke.

Where

Chase Center

San Francisco, CA

When

December 21^st, 2019

5:30 PM

How to Watch

The game is being broadcast on the PAC12 Network which you can find on channels 409 and 406 for Dish Network, for Frontier FiOS it is on channel 591 and 91, and on Xfinity/Comcast it is on channels 194 and 1329. The PAC12 Network can also be found on FuboTV and Sling TV.

How to Listen

WEEI 850 AM

Previewing California

Last year the Golden Bears finished 8-23 on the season and a conference worst 3-15 in the Pac 12. Cal is 6-5 on the year and so far their best wins are arguably either Pepperdine or ULNV, and they’ve lost to all their quality opponents (Duke, Texas, and St. Mary’s). California is averaging 67.9 points per game, the same as BC, but are giving up 72.2 point per game. The Golden Bears are a better shooting team than BC with a field goal percentage of 46.8 shooting percentage per game and 40.7% from beyond the three point line. However, Cal is only averaging 31.8 rebound per game but giving up 33.9 per game.

Players to Watch Out For

Sophomore guard Matt Bradley. Bradley leads the Golden Bears in points with 17.4 points per game. Bradley is also 3^rd on team in rebounds, 2^nd on the team in assists, and is shooting 46.3% from the floor and 44% from beyond the three point line. At times this year the Eagles have struggled with perimeter defense and Bradley definitely is one the Golden Bears best perimeter threats.

How Does BC Win?

Make the effort plays. BC has had to battle its way through periods of poor shooting all throughout this year. One of the ways the Eagles have fought through these rough stretches has been by rebounding the ball, forcing turnovers, and winning loose ball scrambles. BC has looked its best when they have these types of effort plays. The Eagles need to dominate the boards against a Cal team that has struggled when it comes to rebounding the ball.

Predictions

Will: BC 71 – Cal 64

Toppin: BC 65 - Cal 64 (This is a game between two very mediocre teams, and I fear Matt Bradley’s gonna feast in this game)