Wednesday night’s college basketball slate wraps up with a familiar West Coast matchup as the No. 21 USC Trojans (2-0) travel to Berkeley to face the California Golden Bears (2-1) at Haas Pavilion.
The former Pac-12 rivals are meeting for the first time since November 2024, when Cal defeated USC 71-66 in Los Angeles. The Trojans are looking to remain undefeated, while the Golden Bears hope to bounce back from their first loss of the season.
Find USC vs. Cal predictions, picks, and odds below ahead of Wednesday’s late-night college basketball matchup.
USC vs. Cal Odds
Cal is facing its second straight ranked opponent after losing to current No. 8 Houston on Sunday. Even with home-court advantage Wednesday night, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook gives the edge to No. 21 USC as the favorite:
USC vs. Cal Predictions
As the two former conference foes square off in Berkeley, check out the available basketball betting markets at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, along with our USC vs. Cal prediction below:
Cal vs. USC Best Bet: USC -7.5 (-120)
USC has gotten off to a strong start this season, following up a 95-63 win over Milwaukee with a 93-86 victory against Wichita State on Sunday. The Trojans were led by Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas, who scored career-highs of 32 and 30 points, respectively, becoming the first USC duo since 2015 to score at least 30 points apiece in the same game.
Cal, meanwhile, is coming off an 86-68 loss to then-No. 10 Houston after opening the season with two wins. The Golden Bears struggled to contain Houston inside, allowing 50 points in the paint while committing 16 turnovers. USC also forced 20 turnovers against Wichita State, which could create additional scoring opportunities for the Trojans.
- Cal vs. USC Spread Pick for Nov. 11: USC -7.5 (-120)
USC vs. Cal Betting Splits
Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet ahead of Wednesday night’s West Coast showdown:
- USC is drawing the majority of support on the moneyline, with 84% of bets and 78% of the handle.
- Cal is receiving more action on the spread, with 54% of bets, but the Trojans are bringing in a larger share of the money, with 58% of the handle.
- The Over is getting 69% of bets and 85% of the handle on the total.
USC vs. Cal Preview for Wednesday Night
USC enters Wednesday’s matchup with one of the more productive backcourts in the country through the opening week. Arenas is averaging a team-high 25.5 points per game, while Rice is coming off his 32-point performance against Wichita State. Freshman Adonis Ratliff has also made an immediate impact, recording 25 points in his collegiate debut before adding 10 points and 13 rebounds against Wichita State.
Cal opened the season with wins over Adams State and Radford before falling to Houston on Sunday. Michael Cooper led the Golden Bears with 19 points and five three-pointers off the bench in the loss, while Jordan Ross added 15 points and five assists. Cooper has been particularly effective from beyond the arc, making 15 three-pointers through his first three games.
Both teams have shown they can put up points early in the season, but Wednesday’s game should provide another good test. USC has averaged 94 points through its first two contests, while Cal has made 37 three-pointers in three games. The Golden Bears will need that outside shooting against a USC team that has already forced 37 turnovers this season.
There’s also plenty of history between these programs. Wednesday marks their 273rd meeting, with Cal holding a narrow 138-134 advantage in the all-time series. The Golden Bears have won the last two matchups, and USC will be looking for its first victory at Haas Pavilion since November 2022.
USC vs. Cal Game Info
- 📍 Where: Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- ⏰ Tip-Off: 11:00 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: ESPN2
More Ways to Bet
Looking for more ways to stay in the action? Florida players can find Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, available exclusively on Hard Rock Bet, a lineup of fast, engaging real money games you can jump into anytime while you follow your bets.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in FL. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, in all other states. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling? In FL, call 1-833-PLAYWISE. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In AZ, OH, & VA, call 1-800-MY-RESET.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1‑800‑GAMBLER (CO, IL, MI, NJ, TN)
