Cal State Bakersfield at California

The California Golden Bears are 21-12 on the season, and are certainly an NCAA Tournament capable team, but they fell apart down the stretch and it likely cost this team a bid. The Bears were cruising along at 18-6, and appeared destined for the Dance, but a 3-6 finish put those plans on hold, and here they are disappointed to be in the NIT. It is hard to imagine this team having a whole lot of focus taking on CS Bakersfield. The Roadrunners lost by just 12 at Arizona, and 10 at BYU. They are arguably a better team now having won 10 of their last 11 games. This is one of the better defending teams in the country, having held 8 of their last 10 opponents to less than 40% shooting. I think that the defense and lack of desire on the part of the Golden Bears keeps this team in this one. Take the points and play CS Bakersfield.