Nevada vs Utah State Prediction 12-31-24 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Nevada vs Utah State Prediction for this college basketball game on Tuesday, December 31st, at the Lawlor Events Center. Let’s take a look at a Nevada Wolf Pack vs Utah Aggies Pick. 

Does Nevada Have Confidence?

After back-to-back losses, there have to be some major question marks about the confidence of this team. Two games ago against Colorado State, they ended up losing 66-64. In the last game against Wyoming, the offense scored 63 points, and even though the defense gave up only 66 points they still ended up losing. Nick Davidson had a strong game putting up 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists. There were three different players that put up at least 11 points. Three games ago the offense put up 105 points and they are going to need that offense to get back on the right track here. 

Nevada, on the season, is averaging 75.5 points, while their defense is giving up 66.2 points per game. The offense is ranked 190th in the league while the defense is ranked 63rd. As a team, they are shooting 49.3 percent from the field which is the 36th best in all of college basketball. In this game, the offense is going to need to get out to a fast start to really try to put the pressure on. Yoto Yamanouchni-Williams is dealing with a hip injury and is out. Brandon Love missed the last game and is questionable for this game. Guard Kobe Sanders is averaging 15.2 points while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Utah State Has Confidence

Utah lost three games ago against UC San Diego by two points, but since that point, they have won two straight games. Two games ago against Saint Mary’s, they secured a 75-68 victory and in the last game against San Diego State, they secured a 67-66 victory. Guard Ian Martinez had quite the game putting up 17 points, five rebounds, and one assist. There were four different players that put up at least 11 points. Utah State shot 44 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from behind the three-point line. They shot 71.4 percent from the free throw line while San Diego State shot 90.9 percent from the free throw line. Hitting a few more free throws could be helpful for this team. 

Utah State is averaging 83.9 points while their defense is giving up 65.7 points per game. The offense is ranked 38th in the league, while the defense is ranked 53rd. They are shooting 48.6 percent from the field which is 49th best in the league. Mason Falslev is averaging 17.2 points while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. Drake Allen is dealing with a shoulder injury and is still out. Utah State will take on Fresno State after this game. 

Why Utah State Will Beat Nevada

• Utah State has won 12 of its last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Nevada has lost each of its last three games against Conference opponents.
• Nevada has lost the first half in five of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Nevada vs Utah State Prediction

Give me Utah State here. Nevada has played in close in each of the last two games and I don’t expect them to win this game by many points, if they even win that is. Utah State is averaging 83.9 points and they are going to have no issue running up the score in this game. Nevada’s defense hasn’t been bad but they aren’t going to be good enough in this game. I think Utah State will win this game outright, but we will take the points to be safe. Back Utah State against the spread here.