UC Davis @ California preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 10, 2016 ) UC Davis 61, California 86

California looks to bounce back from consecutive losses when it hosts UC Davis on Tuesday. The Golden Bears opened the season with four straight wins until suffering setbacks of 35 points to Duke and 17 to Texas on back-to-back days last week.

Cal recorded a season-low point total in the 62-45 loss to Texas and has averaged just 50.3 points over the past three games. "I would say that to play two nationally ranked teams this early in a season where we're rebuilding is probably an earlier test than maybe would be ideal," Golden Bears coach Mark Fox told reporters after the loss to Texas. "But we'll use it hopefully as a great lesson in how we have to grow and change and improve. If we use it the right way, this weekend can be very productive for us." Cal has shot below 40 percent in each of its past three games with the 35.6 percent mark against the Longhorns representing a season low. UC Davis has lost four straight games with three of the setbacks coming by 10 or more points.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT UC DAVIS (2-5): The Aggies begin the first of two games against Pac-12 foes - they visit Utah on Friday - as they attempt to halt an 0-3 road mark. Senior center Matt Neufeld is shooting a blistering 67.2 percent from the field while leading UC Davis with a 14.3 scoring average. Senior guard Joe Mooney averages 13.6 points and has a team-best eight steals while freshman guard Ezra Manjon is contributing 12 points per game.

ABOUT CAL (4-2): The recent cold shooting comes after the Golden Bears topped 50 percent in each of their first three games while averaging 82.7 points. Sophomore guard Matt Bradley averages a team-best 18.7 points and his 22-point effort against Texas was his third 20-point outing of the campaign. Bradley is a stellar 36-of-39 from the free-throw line and has made 13 of the Golden Bears' 35 3-point baskets.

TIP-INS

1. This is the first meeting between the teams.

2. Golden Bears junior F Grant Anticevich, who averages a team-leading 6.7 rebounds, had nine against Texas, one shy of his career best.

3. Mooney has made 14 of the Aggies' 41 3-point baskets.

PREDICTION: Cal 64, UC Davis 57