BYU (11-5) vs. Utah (10-6)
January 18, 2025 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Utah +1; Over/Under: 151
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a Utah vs BYU prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, January 18th at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.
Utah Utes Betting Preview
The Utah Utes are 10-6 (2-3) this year after they defeated TCU by a score of 73-65 in their last game. Utah led 30-26 at halftime and added 43 points in the second half in the win. The Utes shot 49% from the field, 28.6% on three pointers, and 65.5% on free throws in the game. Gabe Madsen led Utah with 17 points and five assists, while Keanu Dawes added 16 points and six rebounds in the win.
Prior to that game, the Utes defeated Oklahoma State by a score of 83-62, but did lose to Iowa State by a score of 82-59 before that. Utah has lost four of their last six games and they are right in the middle of the Big 12 standings with a 2-3 record. Utah has scored 80.6 points per game and they have allowed 69.9 points against per game, while also averaging 40.2 rebounds and 20.3 assists per game this season. Gabe Madsen is averaging 16.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while Lawson Lovering is averaging 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Utah is shooting 47% from the field, 64% on free throws, and 34.9% on three pointers this year.
BYU Cougars Betting Preview
The BYU Cougars are 11-5 (2-3) this season after they defeated Oklahoma State by a score of 85-69 in their last game. BYU led 46-26 at halftime, but they were outscored 43-39 in the second half in the win. The Cougars shot 51.9% from the field, 42.9% on three pointers, and 70.4% on free throws in the game. Trevin Knell led BYU with 18 points and five rebounds, while Dallin Hall added 14 points and three assists in the win.
Prior to that game, the Cougars lost to TCU by a score of 71-67 and Texas Tech by a score of 72-67. BYU has lost three of their last four games, but they did win the previous four games and they are also in the 2-3 logjam in the standings. BYU has scored 80.8 points per game and they have allowed 66.6 points against per game, while also averaging 39.7 rebounds and 17.3 assists per game this season. Richie Saunders is averaging 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, while Egor Demin is averaging 11.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game this year. BYU is shooting 47.9% from the field, 69.2% on free throws, and 36% on three pointers this season.
Why Utah will beat BYU
- Utah has won each of its last 10 night games at Jon M. Huntsman Center.
- BYU has lost each of its last five road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Utah has won the first half in each of its last 18 night games at Jon M. Huntsman Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why BYU will beat Utah
- BYU has won seven of its last eight games when playing with a rest advantage.
- Utah has lost three of its last four night games against the Big 12 Conference.
- BYU has won the first half in each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Utah vs BYU Prediction
Utah comes into this matchup with the home court advantage and they are looking for their third win in a row. The Utes are shooting 47% from the field and they are scoring 80.6 points per game this year. Utah has been up and down defensively this season, but they have allowed 65 and 62 points in their last two games. BYU finally snapped that losing streak with a win over Oklahoma State, but they didn’t play very well in the second half of that game. The Cougars almost have identical offensive numbers to Utah, but they are allowing about three points fewer against per game this year. This should be a fun rivalry game between two evenly matched teams, but I think it is going to be on the lower scoring end, so give me the under here.
