I’m not stopping—are you? After an afternoon and evening slate that includes heaters like Missouri vs. Kentucky, Auburn vs. Alabama, and Ole Miss vs. Florida, we’re heading west once more for some late-night hoops action in the Big 12. The red-hot BYU Cougars host the Utah Utes in Provo for the Cougars’ Senior Night celebration, and they’re heavy favorites (currently -12.5-points, to be exact, on DraftKings Sportsbook). As always, I’ve got my preview, prediction, pick, and best bet for this critical Utah at BYU college basketball contest tonight, which has serious seeding implications on the conference tournament next week.
Here’s how I’m playing it. Follow me on my handle @dansby_edits for more college hoops plays, especially with the tournaments right around the corner!
Utah at BYU preview and prediction
Two teams in opposite directions: BYU is on a seven-game win streak, capped by an unbelievably grueling victory over the Iowa State Cyclones on Tuesday night, whereas Utah is in such free-fall they’re currently without a head coach.
Utah enters this game with nothing to lose, and that’s dangerous against a number as large as this, even with a KenPom disparity that suggests the line is proportionate. If BYU has any sort of fatigue from this remarkable conference-play win streak, where we’ll see it is on the boards, and in 3P%. We saw it just earlier today in the first half against Alabama; even Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazzara, two of the SEC’s best and most consistent players, looked a little slow in the first half. That allowed Alabama to find at least a little bit of a first-half rhythm early, and keep the game close for at least 20 minutes.
How’d that work out in the second half? Well, let’s just say, a double-digit cover felt within reach for the dogs the whole time.
BYU vs. Utah prediction, best bet
That’s what we’re looking for out of the visiting Utes. I like Utah’s offensive edge against the spread here, and against the circumstances. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that they steal a win in Provo, but it’s highly unlikely. Keeping this game within double-digits will be a challenge enough, and I think the Utes square well against this number. BYU allows almost exactly 70.0 points per game, and the Utes average 75.4.
If you downgrade BYU’s defense by just a touch, expecting them to be as spirited as they are tired on Senior Night, which could lead to some erratic play, Utah’s a fine bet to cover. Ausar should be playing with his hair on fire.
Best bet: Utah +11.5 (-110)
Tail the Utes to play loose and cover the 11.5 tonight with me in the DKN betting group here!
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