The BYU Cougars (6-3) will travel to the Jon M. Huntsman Center to take on the Utah Runnin’ Utes (5-2). The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, and will air on Pac-12 Network.
BYU Cougars at Utah Runnin’ Utes ATS Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Runnin’ Utes beat the UC Davis Aggies 77-73, while the Cougars won big over the Montana Tech Orediggers 98-63.
BYU dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.314 (above their season average of 0.144) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.804 (above their season average of 0.542). For those same stats, Montana Tech was 0.086 and 0.500, respectively. The Runnin’ Utes, on the other hand, made 15 of their 19 free throws (78.9 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.689 (above their season average of 0.566). Timmy Allen played a key role for Utah with 20 points. Jake Toolson played well for BYU, putting up 17 points.
The Cougars won the only contest between these two teams last year, 74-59. The Cougars’ 32.3 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over the Runnin’ Utes, who had a mark of 18.9.
The productive offense of Utah will battle against the mid-tier defense of BYU. Dating back to last season, the Runnin’ Utes rank 29th in offensive efficiency, while the Cougars are 239th in defensive efficiency. The Runnin’ Utes figure to have the edge on that side of the ball. Ball protection should be an advantage for the Cougars. They rank 24th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.1 percent). Conversely, the Runnin’ Utes have forced the fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 14.9 percent).
BYU Cougars vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Utah, ATS Winner – Utah, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2018-Present):
- BYU ranks 35th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Utah ranks 229th (3.9).
- The Cougars average 15.3 assists per game, which ranks 40th in the NCAA. The Runnin’ Utes rank 146th in assists allowed per game (12.6).
- Utah ranks 59th in three pointers attempted per game (25.3) while BYU ranks 90th in three pointers allowed per game (20.8).
- The Runnin’ Utes rank 39th in rebounds allowed per game (32.1) while the Cougars rank 222nd (35.9).
- BYU ranks 174th in steals per game (6.2) while Utah ranks 297th (4.5).