California Golden Bears vs Virginia Cavaliers Picks and Predictions January 8th 2025

Virginia Visits Cal, Seeks First ACC Road Win

The Virginia Cavaliers embark on their first Atlantic Coast Conference road trip to the West Coast, facing Cal in Berkeley on Wednesday night. This historic matchup pits a Cavaliers team seeking its first true road win of the season against a Golden Bears squad chasing its inaugural ACC victory.

Cavaliers Look for Consistency

Virginia (8-6, 1-2) enters the contest after splitting home games last week, narrowly defeating NC State 70-67 before falling to Louisville 70-50. The team’s road struggles have been evident this season, including a 63-51 loss at SMU to open ACC play.

Coach Ron Sanchez sees the cross-country journey as an opportunity for his team to bond and build cohesion.

“You get time to bond … time to spend more time to get to know each other,” Sanchez said, emphasizing the importance of togetherness for a roster with many new players.

Sophomore Elijah Saunders has been a bright spot for the Cavaliers, contributing 22 points in the win over NC State and averaging 12.1 points per game. Isaac McKneely leads the team in scoring with 12.3 points per contest.

Virginia’s ability to integrate these key players into a cohesive unit will be critical against a Cal team with scoring threats of its own.

Cal’s Struggles in ACC Play

The Golden Bears (7-7, 0-3) have had a rough start to their first season in the ACC. After falling to Stanford in their conference debut, Cal suffered road losses to Pitt and Clemson last week. Despite their struggles, the team has shown flashes of potential, led by star guard Andrej Stojakovic.

Stojakovic delivered a standout performance in Saturday’s 80-68 loss at Clemson, scoring 30 points. However, Cal’s lack of offensive depth was evident, as the rest of the team combined for just 38 points.

Coach Mark Madsen has hinted at potential lineup changes to spark the Golden Bears, including possibly elevating freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson, who scored 11 points off the bench against Clemson, into the starting lineup.

“Everything is always under consideration,” Madsen said. “Jeremiah has been playing at a high level, and I have no doubt that he will continue to play at a very, very high level.”

Key Matchup: Saunders vs. Stojakovic

The battle between Virginia’s Elijah Saunders and Cal’s Andrej Stojakovic could be pivotal. Saunders’ versatility as a scorer and rebounder has made him a cornerstone for the Cavaliers, while Stojakovic’s ability to take over games gives the Golden Bears a legitimate offensive weapon.

Virginia’s defensive strategy will likely focus on containing Stojakovic while forcing Cal’s supporting cast to step up. On the other hand, the Golden Bears will aim to exploit Virginia’s inconsistencies on the road.

Predictions and Insights for the NBA 6th Man Award Race

A Historic Opportunity

This is only the third meeting between Virginia and Cal, with the Cavaliers holding a 2-0 series lead from a home-and-home nonconference matchup in 2015 and 2016. Wednesday’s game marks a significant chapter in both teams’ ACC journeys, with Cal looking to make history by earning its first conference win.

For Virginia, a victory would not only even its ACC record but also provide valuable momentum heading into Saturday’s matchup with Stanford. For Cal, this game represents a chance to establish credibility and set a foundation for its future in the ACC.

The late tip-off, adjusted for West Coast time, adds a layer of intrigue as Virginia adjusts to unfamiliar territory and seeks to overcome travel fatigue. At the same time, Cal hopes to capitalize on the home-court advantage at Haas Pavilion to deliver a signature win.

As these two programs clash in Berkeley, the stakes are high, and both teams are eager to turn the page on their early ACC struggles.