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The Marriott Center will host a non-conference game between the Utah Utes and the BYU Cougars on Saturday evening.
The Utes are 9-2 this season and are on a five-game winning streak after coming off a 91-70 home win on Tuesday against the UTSA Roadrunners.
The Cougars are 7-5 this season and are riding a two-game winning streak after a 97-64 home win on Thursday against the Western Oregon Wolves.
Utah Utes vs. BYU Cougars Betting Odds
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Utah Utes vs. BYU Cougars Match Details
Fixture: Utah Utes vs BYU Cougars
Time and date: Saturday, December 17 at 6:00 PM ET
Venue: Marriott Center, Provo, UT
Utah Utes vs. BYU Cougars Key Stats
The Utes are a good offensive team, averaging 76 points per game. They need to improve at passing the basketball, averaging 15.8 assists over the course of the season.
Senior center Branden Carlson has led the team, averaging 15.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.5 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game. He definitely made his presence felt throughout the game with his production.
Their defense has been dominating as they are allowing 59.6 points per game heading into this game. The Utes have been decent, forcing six blocks and 4.4 steals per game. They need to continue to improve on that side of the floor.
The Cougars are a solid offensive team as well, scoring 76.8 points per game thus far and averaging 15.9 assists per game up to this point. Senior guard Rudi Williams has been doing well, averaging 13.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in 26 minutes this season.
Defensively, they have struggled a bit throughout the year, as they have given up 72.1 points per game. They need to do better as they are forcing 4.6 blocks and 8.3 steals per game up to this point.
Utah Utes vs. BYU Cougars Best Picks and Prediction
The Utah Utes are far and away the better program heading into this matchup and it is all on the defensive side of the floor. We spoke about the points per game given up, but the blocks and size really give the Utes the benefit.
Offensively, Utah is shooting the ball better as well so go with the Utes to win by multiple possessions here.
Pick: Utah Utes -2.5 (-110)
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