It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the No. 16 Arizona State Sun Devils (15-4, 3-4 Pac-12) welcome the Utah Runnin’ Utes (12-7, 4-4 Pac-12) to Wells-Fargo Arena. The game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, 2018, and will air on Pac-12 Network.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 156.5 points with Arizona State set as an 8.5-point favorite.
Utah Runnin’ Utes at Arizona State Sun Devils Free Prediction
In the Runnin’ Utes’ last outing, they beat the Washington State Cougars, 82-69. The Runnin’ Utes had 9 steals and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.579 (above their season average of 0.535). Utah received a boost from Justin Bibbins, who contributed 13 points and 12 assists.
The Sun Devils were victorious over the California Golden Bears in their last game, 81-73. The Sun Devils held the Golden Bears to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.9 (below their season average of 35.4) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.557 vs. 0.508). With 12 points and 11 rebounds, Mickey Mitchell put together a solid outing for Arizona State.
Arizona State could put on a ball-control clinic in this matchup. Arizona State ranks 18th in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.7 percent), while Utah forces the 80th-fewest turnovers (17.7 percent).
Utah comes into the contest with records of 12-7 straight up (SU) and 8-7-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Runnin’ Utes’ 17 games with betting action, 10 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Arizona State is 15-4 SU and 10-6-3 ATS. Contrary to Utah, Sun Devils games have a tendency to go over the O/U total (57.9 percent).
Bibbins has averaged 17.4 points, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Utah.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Bibbins scored a game-high 22 points in the first game, in which the Runnin’ Utes lost 80-77, resulting in a push. The game finished with a total of 157 points, which was just 2 points below the projected point total of 159 points. Arizona State won the rebounding battle. The Sun Devils had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. three) and total rebounds (32 vs. 25).
Utah Runnin’ Utes vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Arizona State, ATS Winner – Utah, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah is 3-5 ATS on the road with 5 unders and 3 overs.
Arizona State is 6-3-1 ATS at home with 6 overs and 4 unders.
Utah ranks 46th in three pointers attempted per game (25.6) while Arizona State ranks 255th in three pointers allowed per game (25.5).
The Runnin’ Utes rank 33rd in assists allowed per game (11.2) while the Sun Devils rank 215th (15.5).
Arizona State ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (4.9) while Utah ranks 110th (6.4).
The Sun Devils average 36.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 108th in the NCAA. The Runnin’ Utes rank 143rd in rebounds allowed per game (34.8).
Utah averages 3.5 blocks per game, which ranks 102nd in the NCAA. Arizona State ranks 114th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 1-2-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Arizona State is 0-4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Runnin’ Utes have been outscored by an average of 3.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Utah has defeated opponents by an average of 4.6 points.
During their last five games, the Sun Devils have scored an average of 77.4 points per game (9.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.4 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
