Prediction: California Golden Bears VS Kansas St Wildcats 2025-11-13
California Golden Bears vs. Kansas State Wildcats: A Tale of Two Courts (and One Very Hungry P.J.)
The California Golden Bears (3-0) and Kansas State Wildcats (2-0) are set for a clash that’s less “March Madness” and more “November Nervousness.” With Kansas State favored by 6.5 points (-6.5) and the over/under at 162.5, this game hinges on whether Cal’s porous defense can avoid becoming a personal playground for Kansas State’s star point guard, P.J. Haggerty—aka the human highlight reel.
Parsing the Odds: A Numbers Game
Let’s crunch the numbers like a student cramming for a stats midterm. Kansas State’s implied probability of winning? A solid 55-57% (based on decimal odds of ~1.32). California’s? A paltry 23-30% (odds of ~3.3). That’s the difference between a team that’s “here for the experience” and one that’s “here to win the Powerade.”
Defensively, Kansas State allows just 69.6 points per game (91st nationally), while Cal surrenders 76.8 (310th). Put another way: Cal’s defense is like a sieve trying to hold water at a pool party. Offensively, Kansas State isn’t a powerhouse (70.8 PPG, 262nd), but they’ve been lethal at home, scoring 73.1 points per game. Cal, meanwhile, averages 75.6 points on the road—but that 2-11 road record from last season? It’s the NBA G League of college basketball road trips.
News Roundup: Injuries, Rivalries, and Shoelaces
Kansas State’s P.J. Haggerty is the LeBron James of his freshman year: 25 points and 11 assists per game, with the grace of a caffeinated gazelle. Oh, and he used to play for Cal. That’s right—Haggerty is the basketball equivalent of a ghost haunting his ex’s house, but instead of a haunted house, it’s Bramlage Coliseum, where he’ll be cheered like a returning hero.
Cal’s Dai Dai Ames, their 24-point hero against CSU Fullerton, isn’t facing a shoelace-tripping injury (whew!), but he is returning to Manhattan, where he started 16 games for Kansas State last season. Imagine walking into your ex’s new dating app bio: “Still into you, but also into this new guy who averages 25 points.” Ames’ familiarity with the Wildcats’ system could be a double-edged sword—useful for scouting, awkward for small talk.
The Humor: Why This Game Is a Comedic Tragedy
Cal’s road struggles are so legendary, they could have their own Netflix docuseries titled Cal on the Road: The 2-11 Life. Their defense? A work of art in its own right. If Kansas State’s offense were a fine wine, Cal’s defense would be a wine opener that just… stops. Midway.
Then there’s Haggerty, Kansas State’s Swiss Army knife of a point guard. He’s so good, they might need to put him in a protective bubble—preferably one with a built-in highlight reel. And let’s not forget Kansas State’s home crowd, which is louder than a student section trying to explain why they’re chanting “We Want March!” in November.
Prediction: The Math, the Mayhem, the Money Line
Kansas State’s home-court advantage, Haggerty’s MVP-level playmaking, and Cal’s defensive sieve combine for a Wildcats cover. Cal’s offense is solid (75.6 PPG), but their defense? It’s the reason why “transition defense” is just a myth.
Final Score Prediction: Kansas State 78, California 70.
Why? The math says so. The odds say so. And Haggerty? He’s just getting started. Bet the spread (-6.5) on Kansas State, and if you’re feeling spicy, take the under 162.5—because Cal’s not scoring that many points against a defense that’s tighter than a coach’s budget.
In the end, this game isn’t close. It’s a Kansas State layup line disguised as a “competitive matchup.” Unless Cal’s offense starts shooting 50% from deep (and their defense invents the concept of “closing the gap”), this is a Wildcats romp.
Tip-off: 9 p.m. ET. Tune in to CBS Sports Network, or stream it on Fubo. And if you see Ames whispering to Haggerty at half-court, don’t worry—it’s just basketball espionage. 🏀
Created: Nov. 13, 2025, 6:42 p.m. GMT