Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs California Golden Bears Picks and Predictions January 2nd 2026

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs California Golden Bears Betting Preview

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter 10-4 and look to extend their recent winning form, while the California Golden Bears aim to defend home court in this ACC matchup at Haas Pavilion.

Line Movement and Odds

California opened as the favorite, with the line reflecting confidence in their home-court dominance. Current market:

• California Spread: -4.5 (-109)
• Notre Dame Spread: +4.5 (-117)
• Total: 140.5 (-110)

Track updates and sharper angles on College Basketball Odds.

Matchup Breakdown

Notre Dame Outlook

Notre Dame averages 74.6 points per game, with Carson Towt, Kebba Njie, and Jalen Haralson leading the offense. Their perimeter shooting (37.0% 3PT, 76th nationally) and rebounding edge (38.4 per game) highlight balance. Their 4-1 recent record underscores resilience, while their 2-2 road mark shows competitiveness.

California Outlook

California averages 82.1 points per game, with Dai Dai Ames, Chris Bell, and Justin Pippen providing scoring depth. Their shooting efficiency (38.5% 3PT, 39th nationally) and free-throw accuracy (78.4%, 34th nationally) highlight offensive strength. Their 12-1 home record underscores betting confidence heading into ACC play.

Key Matchup / Path to Victory

The game hinges on California’s ability to maintain offensive rhythm, while Notre Dame must lean on Towt and Njie to pace the offense. If California controls tempo and boards, their depth should create separation.

Injuries / Availability

Notre Dame: No injury updates provided.

California: No injury updates provided.

Environment

Haas Pavilion provides California with a strong home-court edge, where they are 12-1 this season. Notre Dame’s balanced offense highlights their ability to compete in Berkeley.

Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: California 81, Notre Dame 75

• California -4.5 → Best Bet. Their offensive pace and perimeter shooting make them the sharper side.
• Under 140.5 → Total play. Notre Dame’s slower pace points toward a combined score below the line.

California’s depth and shooting should dictate the game, while Notre Dame’s offense keeps the spread in play. Expect a competitive contest trending under the total.

Handicappers and Service Plays

Situational betting often separates casual plays from sharp ones. Our Best Handicappers highlight how teams perform in specific contexts, while the Leaderboard tracks who’s excelling right now. With Buy Picks, you’ll see detailed breakdowns of spreads, totals, and matchup-specific angles. For contests like Notre Dame vs California, situational insights can reveal edges hidden in plain sight.