BYU Cougars vs Utah Utes Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 12/09/2023

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Saturday, December 9, 2023

Venue:  Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT

Where to Watch:  Pac-12 Network

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  BYU -4, Utah +4; Over/Under:  152.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  BYU -4, Utah +4; Over/Under:  152.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  BYU -4, Utah +4; Over/Under:  152.5 points

BYU Cougars:  8-0 (0-0) (2nd place, Big 12)

Utah Utes:  6-2 (0-0) (4th place, Pac-12)

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BYU Cougars:  5-0  last 5

Utah Utes:  3-2  last 5

BYU is entering this game with an 8-0 record overall and they are 0-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Evansville Purple Aces in their last game. Jaxson Robinson led the team in points per game in that game with 19 while Trevin Knell was next on the team with 13. Dallin Hall led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Noah Waterman led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 52.9% from the field, 43.8% from 3-point range, and 58.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 91.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 59 PPG against them. BYU has an ATS record of 8-0 this season and their O/U record is 2-6.

Utah is entering this game with a 6-2 record overall and they are 3-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in their last game. Keba Keita led the team in points in that game with 23 while Gabe Madsen was next on the team with 19. Rollie Worster led the team in assists with 11 in that game while Ben Carlson led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 54% from the field, 29.4% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 81.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.4 PPG against them. Utah has an ATS record of 5-3 this season and their O/U record is 5-2-1.

The current betting odds have Utah listed as a 4 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Utah has looked really good in their games this season with their 6-2 record overall and they have looked even better in their home games with their 3-0 home record. Their 2 losses were against Houston and St John's but they have looked a lot better since that last loss, winning 3 games in a row now. Meanwhile, BYU has also looked really good in their games this season with their 8-0 record overall, but they are due for a loss soon and this is a great situation for them to lose. BYU hasn't played in a single road game this season and this is not a great environment for them to be playing their 1st road game of the season in. Utah is a rival school and they are going to bring their best effort on their home court here, especially since they have pulled off some upsets this season already. Even if Utah does lose this game, it won't be by much as they will fight to keep this close on their home court, but they are also live to win this game outright. The best way to place a bet here is on Utah to cover the spread in this game. 

BYU Utah Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, December 9, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Utah 86 BYU 82.

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BYU Cougars: 8-0 ATS in all games. 14-5 ATS after allowing 60 points or less. 7-0 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 9-2 UNDER off a home blowout win by 20 points or more. 13-4 UNDER after scoring 85 points or more.

 

Utah Utes: 10-19 ATS as an underdog. 11-25 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread. 3-13 ATS after 4 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers. 24-16 UNDER as a home underdog of 6 points or less or pick. 9-2 UNDER after scoring 75 points or more in 4 straight games.

BYU Cougars:  F. Traore (F) Ques Sat - Hamstring. D. Baker (G) Mid Dec - Foot. M. Adams Jr. (F) Out indefinitely - Eligibility.

Utah Utes:  B. Carlson (C) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. D. Smith (G) out for season - Eligibility. W. Exacte Jr. (G) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed.

“Our guys are kind of lost in the details right now and that’s what makes this super fun. I’ve never coached a team that has gone on a run like this where they just have been totally focused on the objective on the court. They haven’t been distracted by the game. They haven’t been distracted by the opponent. They haven’t been distracted by rankings or media or wins.” - Mark Pope after his team’s win against Evansville in their last game on Tuesday.

“It’s been a good week for the Utes. It was really fun to be able to play in the Delta Center. Of course, it’s always fun to win and to compete.” - Craig Smith on his team’s strong start to the college basketball season.

S. Johnson 

T. Knell 

T. Stewart 

F. Traore 

N. Waterman

C. Bajema 

B. Carlson 

L. Lovering 

G. Madsen 

R. Worster

PPG: J. Robinson (16.9)

APG: S. Johnson (5)

Reb/G: N. Waterman (6.8)

PPG: B. Carlson (17.3)

APG: R. Worster (5.9)

Reb/G: K. Keita (7)

Coaches:

BYU Cougars: Mark Pope (5th season)

Utah Utes: Craig Smith (3rd season)