Virginia Tech Edges California in Close Contest
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Cassell Coliseum
Virginia Tech Hokies 78, California Golden Bears 75, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won California Golden Bears vs Virginia Tech Hokies?
Virginia Tech Hokies beat California Golden Bears 78-75 at Cassell Coliseum on January 10, 2026.
Who was favored in California Golden Bears vs Virginia Tech Hokies?
Virginia Tech Hokies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -250 (about 71% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Virginia Tech Hokies narrowly defeated the California Golden Bears 78-75 at Cassell Coliseum. Both teams entered the game with identical records of 13-4, making this fixture particularly significant as they vied for momentum in the NCAAB season. The victory for Virginia Tech marks an important step as they look to improve their standing after experiencing a two-game losing streak prior to this game.
Virginia Tech's recent form had been a mix of highs and lows, with a record of 6-4 over their last ten games. They had averaged 79.4 points scored while allowing 75.1 points per game during this stretch. Their last five games showed a slight improvement, with an average of 81.0 points scored and 73.8 points allowed. However, they faced setbacks in their most recent outings, losing to Stanford and Wake Forest. At home, they maintained a solid record of 5-2, but their recent losses raised concerns about their ability to capitalize on home court advantage.
On the other side, California had been performing well, boasting an 8-2 record in their last ten games before this matchup. They averaged 77.1 points scored and allowed 69.7 points during that span. However, they entered this game on the back of a loss to Virginia, which snapped a brief winning streak. California's home record was impressive at 8-1, but they had struggled in their only away game, which added pressure as they faced Virginia Tech in a hostile environment.
The two teams had met twice in the previous season, splitting the series with each team winning once. Virginia Tech had claimed a narrow victory in their last meeting, winning 71-68, while California had previously triumphed 82-73 in their home game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the overall health of the teams could have played a role in their performance. As both teams were relatively evenly matched, the outcome was likely influenced by their ability to execute under pressure.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored Virginia Tech with a spread of -5.5, indicating that they were expected to win by more than five points. The total for the game was set at 148.5, reflecting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair. The moneyline odds were -250 for Virginia Tech and +205 for California, further underscoring the Hokies' status as the favored team.
The game conditions were typical for a college basketball matchup, with a lively crowd at Cassell Coliseum contributing to the atmosphere. Fans witnessed a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading leads throughout the contest. Key moments included a series of free throws in the closing minutes, where players like Milos Ilic and Amani Hansberry made crucial shots that kept the game within reach for California.
As the game progressed, viewers were treated to a showcase of skill and determination from both squads. The final moments were particularly tense, with Virginia Tech managing to hold on to their slim lead despite California's efforts to mount a comeback. The Hokies' ability to convert free throws in critical moments proved decisive, allowing them to secure the victory.
In conclusion, Virginia Tech's win over California not only boosts their morale but also places them in a stronger position as they continue their season. The close scoreline reflects the competitive nature of college basketball, where every game can pivot on a few key plays. As both teams regroup, they will look to build on this experience moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | VT -5.5 | 148.5 o -108 / u -112 | California Golden Bears +205 · Virginia Tech Hokies -250 |
Leaders
- PointsAmani Hansberry15Virginia Tech Hokies
- AssistsNeoklis Avdalas6Virginia Tech Hokies
- ReboundsAmani Hansberry9Virginia Tech Hokies
- PointsDai Dai Ames21California Golden Bears
- AssistsMilos Ilic4California Golden Bears
- ReboundsLee Dort7California Golden Bears
Recent form
Virginia Tech Hokies
Last 10: 6-4Streak L279.4 scored · 75.1 allowed per game5-2 at home
- L68-69vs Stanford CardinalJan 8
- L78-81at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsJan 3
- W95-85vs Virginia CavaliersDec 31
- W82-81vs Elon PhoenixDec 20
- W82-53vs Maryland Eastern Shore HawksDec 14
- W96-74vs Western Carolina CatamountsDec 12
- W73-62vs George Mason PatriotsDec 6
- W86-83at South Carolina GamecocksDec 3
- L68-86at VCU RamsNov 28
- L66-77vs Saint Mary's GaelsNov 27
California Golden Bears
Last 10: 8-2Streak L177.1 scored · 69.7 allowed per game0-1 away
- L60-84at Virginia CavaliersJan 8
- W72-71vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishJan 3
- L70-90vs Louisville CardinalsDec 31
- W74-56vs Columbia LionsDec 21
- W97-50vs Morgan State BearsDec 20
- W79-70vs Northwestern State DemonsDec 13
- W93-71vs Dominican (CA) PenguinsDec 10
- W67-61vs Pacific TigersDec 6
- W79-72vs Utah UtesDec 3
- W80-72vs UCLA BruinsNov 26
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | California Golden Bears | Virginia Tech Hokies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-56 | 23-53 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 43 |
| Three-pointers | 6-20 | 5-23 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 22 |
| Free throws | 19-21 | 27-31 |
| Free throw % | 90 | 87 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 28 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 17 |
| Assists | 13 | 10 |
| Steals | 6 | 4 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 23 |
| Fast-break points | 0 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 34 |
| Fouls | 28 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 11 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 61 | 25 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half49-46Christian Gurdak makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-47Christian Gurdak makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-47Justin Pippen makes 16-foot pullup jump shot (Milos Ilic assists)
- 2nd Half51-49Neoklis Avdalas makes layup
- 2nd Half52-49Justin Pippen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-49Justin Pippen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-50Jaden Schutt makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-51Jaden Schutt makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-51Dai Dai Ames makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half56-54Amani Hansberry makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ben Hammond assists)
- 2nd Half58-54Dai Dai Ames makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-56Jailen Bedford makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-57Christian Gurdak makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-58Christian Gurdak makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-58Dai Dai Ames makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-58Milos Ilic makes layup (Semetri Carr assists)
- 2nd Half64-58Milos Ilic makes layup (Dai Dai Ames assists)
- 2nd Half64-59Amani Hansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-60Amani Hansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-62Tobi Lawal makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half64-64Amani Hansberry makes layup (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
- 2nd Half64-66Neoklis Avdalas makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-66Dai Dai Ames makes driving layup (Milos Ilic assists)
- 2nd Half67-66Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half67-68Christian Gurdak makes layup (Amani Hansberry assists)
- 2nd Half67-69Christian Gurdak makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-70Christian Gurdak makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-70Chris Bell makes driving layup (Milos Ilic assists)
- 2nd Half69-72Neoklis Avdalas makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-72Milos Ilic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-72Milos Ilic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-74Tobi Lawal makes 1-foot dunk (Ben Hammond assists)
- 2nd Half72-74Milos Ilic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-74Milos Ilic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-75Amani Hansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-76Amani Hansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-76John Camden makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-76John Camden makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-77Jaden Schutt makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-78Jailen Bedford makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Virginia Tech Hokies, below favours California Golden Bears.
Venue
- Cassell ColiseumBlacksburg, VA
- Attendance5323
- OfficialsMark Schnur, Tony Henderson, Michael Kitts
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond