It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the Colorado Buffaloes (12-10, 4-6 Pac-12) welcome the Utah Runnin’ Utes (13-8, 5-5 Pac-12) to Coors Events Center. The game begins at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, February 2, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 140.5 points with neither team favored.
Utah Runnin’ Utes at Colorado Buffaloes ATS Prediction
The Runnin’ Utes are hoping for a better outcome after their 74-73 loss to the No. 11 Arizona Wildcats in their last game. Arizona’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Utah. The Wildcats had a rate of 0.756 (above their season average of 0.567), while the Runnin’ Utes posted a mark of 0.509. Sedrick Barefield was the game’s high scorer with 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
The last time the Buffaloes played, they lost to the No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils, 80-66. Arizona State’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Colorado. The Sun Devils had a rate of 8.7 (better than their season average of 13.6), while the Buffaloes posted a mark of 20.7 (above their season average of 17.6). Colorado’s Namon Wright put up 10 points and six rebounds in the contest.
Second-chance opportunities might be rare for Utah in this matchup. The Runnin’ Utes rank 291st in offensive rebounding percentage (25.4 percent), while Colorado ranks 59th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.4 percent).
Utah comes into the game with records of 13-8 straight up (SU) and 10-7-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Runnin’ Utes’ 19 games with betting action, 10 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Colorado is 12-10 SU and 10-11-1 ATS. There does not appear to be a trend for Buffaloes games in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Justin Bibbins (15.8 points, 6.2 assists and 1.2 steals) has been stellar for the Runnin’ Utes while George King (19.6 points and 8.2 rebounds) has made great contributions to the Buffaloes.
After the Runnin’ Utes won both matchups against the Buffaloes last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last matchup, Utah won 86-81. One of Utah’s largest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 32 free throw attempts, while Colorado had 28.
Utah Runnin’ Utes vs. Colorado Buffaloes Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Utah, ATS Winner – Utah, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Utah is 5-5 ATS with 5 overs and 5 unders.
Colorado is 7-3 ATS at home with 6 overs and 4 unders.
Utah averages 25.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 46th in the NCAA. Colorado ranks 189th in three pointers allowed per game (23.3).
The Buffaloes rank 59th in rebounds per game (38.2) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 150th in rebounds allowed per game (35.0).
Utah ranks 101st in blocks per game (3.5) while Colorado ranks 125th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
The Runnin’ Utes rank 207th in steals per game (5.0) while the Buffaloes rank 228th (4.4).
Utah ranks 47th in assists allowed per game (11.7) while Colorado ranks 63rd (12.0).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 3-1-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Colorado is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Runnin’ Utes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 4.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Buffaloes have scored an average of 69.8 points per game (3.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.8 points per game (1.0 below their season average).
