Utah (8-3) vs. Baylor (8-3)
December 31, 2024 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Baylor -11.5; Over/Under: +152.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Utah Utes and Baylor Bears meet Tuesday in college basketball action at the Foster Pavilion. Here’s a Baylor vs Utah Prediction. This article will include a Baylor vs Utah Pick.
Utah Utes Betting Preview
The Utah Utes beat Florida A&M, lost to Iowa, and they play Texas Tech, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State next. The Utah Utes are averaging 86.8 points on 48.9 percent shooting and allowing 66.9 points on 38.6 percent shooting. Gabe Madsen is averaging 18.8 points and 2.5 rebounds, while Lawson Lovering is averaging 13.7 points and 6 rebounds. Mason Madsen is the third double-digit scorer and Ezra Ausar is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The Utah Utes are shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc and 64.6 percent from the free throw line. The Utah Utes are allowing 2.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 37.6 rebounds per game.
Baylor Bears Betting Preview
The Baylor Bears beat Abilene Christian and Norfolk State, and they play Iowa State, Cincinnati, and Arizona State next. The Baylor Bears are averaging 87 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 69.7 points on 43.9 percent shooting. Norchad Omier is averaging 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds, while Robert Wright III is averaging 12.9 points and 2.1 rebounds. Jeremy Roach is the third double-digit scorer and Jayden Nunn is grabbing 3.1 rebounds. The Baylor Bears are shooting 38.9 percent from beyond the arc and 68.9 percent from the free throw line. The Baylor Bears are allowing 37.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Baylor Bears will win
- Baylor has won each of its last eight games at Foster Pavilion.
- Utah has lost nine of its last 10 day games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Baylor has won the first half in each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Utah’s last six day games against AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 146 or fewer points.
- Each of Baylor’s last three home day games against the Big 12 Conference has produced a total of 156+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Baylor ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (32.4).
- Baylor ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (124.7).
- Utah ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (21.3).
- Utah ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.95).
Baylor vs Utah Prediction
The Baylor Bears are the more talented team and are capable of blowouts at home, but I’m not laying this number. Baylor has failed to cover 5 of its last 6 games. The Utah Utes are a balanced team that defends its tail off, and that includes a top-30 defensive field goal percentage. Utah took a good Mississippi State team down to the wire about a month ago. I would not overlook the Utes in this spot, even if I don’t give them much of a chance to win this game outright. Utah is good enough defensively to hang around, so I’m going to grab the points with the road team.
