NCAAB · Final

Wake Forest Tops California in Close Contest

Saturday, March 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · LJVM Coliseum

Wake Forest Demon Deacons 80, California Golden Bears 73, 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 Wake Forest Demon Deacons?

Wake Forest Demon Deacons beat California Golden Bears 80-73 at LJVM Coliseum on March 7, 2026.

Who was favored in California Golden Bears vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons?

Wake Forest Demon Deacons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -245 (about 71% implied). The favorite won.

In a competitive matchup, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons secured a victory over the California Golden Bears with a final score of 80-73 at the LJVM Coliseum. This win is significant for Wake Forest, as they improve their record to 17-15, while California falls to 21-11. The Demon Deacons had been struggling recently, entering the game with a 4-6 record over their last ten games and on a one-game losing streak. Their average scoring during this stretch was 75.8 points per game, while they allowed an average of 77.9 points. In contrast, California had a stronger recent performance, winning six of their last ten games and coming off a victory against Georgia Tech. They averaged 75.5 points scored and allowed 76.4 points during that period.

Wake Forest's home record stood at 3-2 in their last five games, while California's away record was also 3-2. The previous meeting between these two teams occurred on February 8, 2025, where Wake Forest emerged victorious with a score of 76-66. In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any particular players missing for either team, which suggests both squads were at full strength for this encounter.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Wake Forest favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 154.5. The odds reflected a solid expectation for the home team to perform well, given their home advantage. The conditions for the game were not detailed, but typically, a home game at LJVM Coliseum provides a supportive environment for the Demon Deacons.

As the game progressed, Wake Forest managed to maintain a lead, with key plays coming from players like Juke Harris, who contributed crucial free throws in the second half. The scoring plays highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the game, with California making attempts to close the gap, including a three-pointer from Dai Dai Ames that brought the score to 78-73. However, a dunk by Owen Kmety sealed the victory for Wake Forest.

Overall, this matchup showcased the resilience of Wake Forest as they navigated through recent struggles to secure a vital win against a strong California team.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	WAKE -5.5	154.5 o -105 / u -115	California Golden Bears +200 · Wake Forest Demon Deacons -245

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsJuke Harris31Wake Forest Demon Deacons
AssistsJuke Harris3Wake Forest Demon Deacons
ReboundsJuke Harris15Wake Forest Demon Deacons
PointsDai Dai Ames31California Golden Bears
AssistsJustin Pippen3California Golden Bears
ReboundsLee Dort7California Golden Bears

Recent form

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Last 10: 4-6Streak L175.8 scored · 77.9 allowed per game3-2 at home

L70-75at Virginia CavaliersMar 4
W88-83vs Syracuse OrangeFeb 28
L67-68at Boston College EaglesFeb 25
L63-82at Virginia Tech HokiesFeb 21
W85-77vs Clemson TigersFeb 19
W68-63vs Stanford CardinalFeb 14
W83-67at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsFeb 12
L80-88vs Louisville CardinalsFeb 7
L78-96vs NC State WolfpackJan 31
L76-80at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 27

California Golden Bears

Last 10: 6-4Streak W175.5 scored · 76.4 allowed per game3-2 away

W76-65at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsMar 5
L56-72vs Pittsburgh PanthersFeb 28
W73-69vs SMU MustangsFeb 26
W72-66vs Stanford CardinalFeb 21
W86-75at Boston College EaglesFeb 14
L100-107at Syracuse OrangeFeb 12
L55-77vs Clemson TigersFeb 8
W90-85vs Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsFeb 5
W86-85at Miami HurricanesJan 31
L61-63at Florida State SeminolesJan 29

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	Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Field goals	21-59	23-56
Field goal %	36	41
Three-pointers	8-29	7-23
Three-point %	28	30
Free throws	23-28	27-35
Free throw %	82	77
Rebounds	29	45
Offensive rebounds	7	11
Defensive rebounds	22	34
Assists	7	14
Steals	4	4
Blocks	0	4
Turnovers	7	12
Team turnovers	1	2
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	16	4
Fast-break points	3	5
Points in the paint	22	28
Fouls	26	26
Largest lead	15	13
Lead changes	3	3
Time in front	66	33

How the scoring went

2nd Half45-47Mekhi Mason makes 24-foot three point jumper (Juke Harris assists)
2nd Half45-50Tre'Von Spillers makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Mason assists)
2nd Half45-52Tre'Von Spillers makes 1-foot dunk (Juke Harris assists)
2nd Half45-53Juke Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-54Mekhi Mason makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half45-55Mekhi Mason makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half45-56Mekhi Mason makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half45-58Sebastian Akins makes layup
2nd Half46-58Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half47-58Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half47-60Juke Harris makes 20-foot jumper
2nd Half49-60Nolan Dorsey makes layup (Dai Dai Ames assists)
2nd Half52-60Dai Dai Ames makes 23-foot three point jumper (Justin Pippen assists)
2nd Half52-62Juke Harris makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half53-62Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half54-62Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-62Dai Dai Ames makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half57-62John Camden makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-62John Camden makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-62Nolan Dorsey makes 23-foot three point jumper (Justin Pippen assists)
2nd Half61-64Cooper Schwieger makes layup (Tre'Von Spillers assists)
2nd Half61-65Sebastian Akins makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-66Tre'Von Spillers makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-66Justin Pippen makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half64-68Juke Harris makes 16-foot turnaround jump shot (Sebastian Akins assists)
2nd Half65-68Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half66-68Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-70Omaha Biliew makes layup (Mekhi Mason assists)
2nd Half67-70Justin Pippen makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-70Justin Pippen makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-72Cooper Schwieger makes layup (Mekhi Mason assists)
2nd Half68-73Sebastian Akins makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-74Sebastian Akins makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-75Juke Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-76Juke Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-76Dai Dai Ames makes driving layup
2nd Half70-77Juke Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-78Juke Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-78Dai Dai Ames makes 24-foot three pointer
2nd Half73-80Owen Kmety makes 1-foot dunk (Mekhi Mason assists)

Win probability

Above the line favours Wake Forest Demon Deacons, below favours California Golden Bears.