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California vs. Mississippi State predictions, picks for 2025 women's NCAA Tournament


It's Cal vs. Mississippi State in the 2025 NCAA Tournament first round. See our expert picks and predictions for the women's March Madness bracket, along with betting odds and game time.

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The 2025 NCAA women's tournament is here, folks.

Among the first-round action Saturday night will be a matchup between California and Mississippi State.

The California Golden Bears finished the 2024-25 season with a 25-8 record, good for seventh in the ACC. That earned them an 8 seed in the 2025 women's March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the Mississippi State Bulldogs, was 21-11 and picked up a 9 seed.

California is ranked 30th in the country in efficiency by Barttorvik, while Mississippi State is ranked 35th.

Here's how our experts see Thursday's Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket breakdown for in-depth analysis. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament upset picks and players who could make a splash.

Without further ado, here are our California vs. Mississippi State picks and predictions.

California vs. Mississippi State picks and predictions

  • Sam Sklar, The Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State 79, California 76
  • Sklar writes in the Clarion Ledger: "Mississippi State could have the advantage with its depth. Cal has three players that play more than 30 minutes per game compared to only one for Mississippi State. That's where MSU center Madina Okot could tilt the game. If she can have a dominant performance in the post that causes foul trouble for Cal, the Bulldogs could be in a good spot."
  • Paste BN: Experts 4-1 for California
  • Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat: Mississippi State
  • Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser: California
  • Tom Noie, South Bend Tribune: California

California vs. Mississippi State date, start time, how to watch

  • Game Day: Saturday, March 22, 2025
  • Game Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Galen Center in Los Angeles, California
  • TV Channel: ESPN2
  • Live Stream: Fubo - Watch Now!

Watch California vs. Mississippi State on Fubo

California vs. Mississippi State odds

Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday, March 20.

  • Spread: California -1.5
  • Moneyline Favorite: California -130
  • Moneyline Underdog: Mississippi State +110
  • Total: 145.5

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