Utah Utes vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/22/2025

Game Time: 6:00 pm ET, Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Venue:  Fertitta Center, Houston, TX

Where to Watch:  ESPN+

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Utah +17.5, Houston -17.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Utah +17.5, Houston -17.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Utah +17.5, Houston -17.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

Utah Utes:  11-6 (3-3) (9th place, Big 12)

Houston Cougars:  14-3 (6-0) (1st place, Big 12)

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Utah Utes:  3-2  last 5

Houston Cougars:  5-0  last 5

Utah is entering this game with an 11-6 record overall, a 3-3 record in conference games, and they are 1-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the BYU Cougars in their last game. Ezra Ausar led the team in points per game in that game with 26 while Lawson Lovering was next on the team with 13. Lawson Lovering led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Jake Wahlin led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 44.6% from the field, 26.1% from 3-point range, and 53.1% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 80.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 70 PPG against them. Utah has an ATS record of 9-8 this season and their O/U record is 8-9.

Houston is entering this game with a 14-3 record overall, a 6-0 conference record, and they are 10-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the UCF Knights in their last game. J'wan Roberts led the team in points in that game with 21 while Ja'Vier Francis was next on the team with 16. Milos Uzan led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Ja'Vier Francis led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 42% from the field, 18.8% from 3-point range, and 72.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 55 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 9-8 this season and their O/U record is 7-10.

The current betting odds have Houston listed as a 17.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Houston has looked great in their games this season with their 14-3 record overall and their 6-0 conference record which has them right at the top of the Big 12. They have looked great on their home court too with their 10-0 home record. Meanwhile, Utah has looked good in their games this season with their 11-6 record overall, but their 3-3 conference record has them right in the middle of the Big 12. They haven't been a good road team so far either, going 1-2 in road games this season. They have looked better lately as they are coming off a huge win over one of their rivals, BYU, winning that game by 1 point at home, but they put a lot of effort into winning that rivalry game and are due for a let down here. They have won 3 games in a row now against some of the weaker Big 12 teams, but their first 2 games in conference play were absolute blowouts. Now they have to go on the road after that big win and they are playing the best team in the conference at the moment, also being one of the best teams in the nation. Houston has a ton of momentum on their side too with 10 wins in a row now and they have been rolling over the Big 12 teams they have faced. This is a bad game for Utah to be going on the road to play Houston after such a big win. The best way to place a bet here is on Houston to cover the spread in this game. 

Utah Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Wednesday, January 22, 2025 (6:00 pm ET start time) is Houston 92 Utah 64.

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Utah Utes: 6-13 ATS as a road underdog or pick. 19-28 ATS after playing a home game. 12-20 ATS versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game. 16-9 UNDER in road games. 6-3 UNDER in a road game where the total is 130 to 139.5. 29-17 UNDER after playing a home game.

Houston Cougars: 27-16 ATS in all home games. 27-16 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 25-18 ATS versus good shooting teams - making 45% of their shots or more. 29-16 UNDER in all home games. 29-16 UNDER as a home favorite or pick. 19-10 UNDER in a home game where the total is 130 to 139.5. 

Utah Utes:  I. Traore (F) Out - Undisclosed.

Houston Cougars:  R. Walker (G) Out - Hand. J. McFarland (C) Out - Leg.

“It was great to see the offensive balance because I do believe this team has a lot of balance. We certainly played in attack mode and made so many of the right plays. Every team has really good defenders and some not-so-good defenders, and usually, the ball can find those guys and exploit them when we make the right play, which is what we did more of and need to keep doing.” - Craig Smith on the way his team has been playing lately.

"To make the tournament, you're going to have to get some big wins on the road. That separates teams from the top of the league to the middle to the bottom.” - Kelvin Sampson after his team’s win against UCF in their last game. 

E. Ausar 

M. Little 

G. Madsen 

M. Sharavjamts 

J. Wahlin

L. Cryer 

J. Roberts 

E. Sharp 

J. Tugler 

M. Uzan

PPG: G. Madsen (15.8)

APG: M. Little (4.1)

Reb/G: L. Lovering (5.3)

PPG: L. Cryer (13.8)

APG: M. Uzan (4.8)

Reb/G: J. Roberts (6.6)

Coaches:

Utah Utes: Craig Smith (4th season)

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (11th season)