After going 7-1 in February, California hopes to carry its recent success into the most important month of the college basketball season. The Bears have won six straight and eight out of their last nine games heading into Saturday's contest against visiting Colorado, which beat California by 10 points on Jan. 27. The Bears are tied for third with Arizona in the Pac-12, one game behind Oregon and one-half game behind UCLA two games to play. The Buffaloes have won eight of their last 10 games, including a 65-63 victory over Stanford on Wednesday. Colorado has been a dangerous road team, with three straight wins away from the Coors Events Center. Sophomore guard Askia Booker, second on the team in scoring at 13 points per game, scored a team-high 20 points in the Buffaloes' win over California in January. Colorado needs to win its final two games to improve its chances of finishing among the top four teams in the conference and earning a first-round bye in the Pac-12 tournament.TV: 5 p.m. ET, ESPNUABOUT COLORADO (19-8, 9-6 Pac-12): Freshman center Josh Scott, who has missed two games since suffering a concussion on Feb. 16 against Arizona State, practiced Thursday and hopes to be cleared to face California. Coach Tad Boyle is eager to get Scott back on the court since the Bears feature a solid frontline in forwards Richard Solomon and David Kravish. If Scott returns, junior forward Andre Roberson will be able to guard Allen Crabbe, who leads the Pac-12 in scoring at 18.8 points per game. Roberson, who leads the country in rebounding (11.7), was called the nation's best defensive player by Arizona coach Sean Miller earlier this week.ABOUT CALIFORNIA (19-9, 11-5): The Bears failed to win consecutive games in January, when the team appeared content to watch Crabbe carry the scoring load. In recent weeks, however, California became a more balanced team with the emergence of freshman guard Tyrone Wallace. After tinkering with the rotation early in the season, Bears coach Mike Montgomery has used the same starting lineup in the last 12 games. Wallace has scored 11 points in each of the last two contests, and Pac-12 reigning player of the week Justin Cobbs is averaging 14.8 points. Cobbs had 22 points against Colorado in January, when the Bears allowed the Buffaloes to shoot 59.6 percent from the field.TIP-INS1. Colorado has won three straight against California and six of the last seven meetings.2. The Bears are 13-0 when leading at halftime.3. Colorado is averaging 15.4 more points per game at home (75.8) than on the road (60.4).PREDICTION: California 67, Colorado 64