Baylor Bears vs Utah Runnin’ Utes NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/25/25
Betting on today’s Bears and Runnin’ Utes game? Catch the action at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT, as the Runnin’ Utes hosts this showdown at 4:30 ET on ESPN2. Baylor is favored by -2.5 in this Big 12 conference matchup the against Utah. The over/under for the game is set at 144.5 points.
BAYLOR BEARS VS UTAH RUNNIN’ UTES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Utah Runnin’ Utes +2.5
This game will be played at Jon M. Huntsman Center at 4:30 ET on Saturday, January 25th.
WHY BET THE UTAH RUNNIN’ UTES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-71 in favor of the Runnin’ Utes.
- Not only will Utah pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +2.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 144.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.
Can Baylor Pull Off A Win at Jon M. Huntsman Center?
Baylor Bears Recent Game/Games
The Bears improved to 11-6 on the season with a 70-62 win over Kansas State on Wednesday. Baylor, playing at home, was a -11.5 favorite but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 132 fell short of the O/U line of 140.5.
Baylor trailed 30-26 at halftime but turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring the Wildcats 44-32 to secure the win.
Baylor’s offense put up 70 points in their last game, shooting 37.5% from the field and 37.9% from beyond the arc, hitting 11 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.4%, and they connected on 81% of their free throws, going 17-for-21 from the line.
VJ Edgecombe led the way with 30 points, shooting 61.5% overall and 42.9% from three. Jalen Celestine added 18 points, hitting 4-of-7 from deep, while David N’Guessan contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite Baylor’s strong defensive effort, they couldn’t hold their opponent from getting to the free-throw line, where they shot 81%, converting 17 of 21 attempts. Baylor also allowed 13 offensive rebounds, giving their opponent extra opportunities to score.
From the field, Baylor’s defense held their opponent to 37% shooting overall, with 11 made threes on 29 attempts. Inside the arc, Baylor limited their opponent to 10/27 shooting, also 37%.
Can the Runnin’ Utes Pull Off a Home Win?
Utah Runnin’ Utes Recent Game/Games
Utah’s season record fell to 12-7 after a rough 70-36 road loss to Houston on Wednesday. Entering the game as +17.5 point underdogs, the Utes not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.
Utah trailed 41-17 at halftime and managed just 19 points in the 2nd half while allowing 29. The game’s total points (106) fell well short of the O/U line of 133.5.
In their last game, the Utah Runnin’ Utes struggled offensively, scoring just 36 points with a field goal percentage of 30.2% (13/43). Their effective field goal percentage was 37.2%, and they shot 29.4% from three-point range (5/17). At the free-throw line, they hit only 41.7% of their attempts (5/12).
Utah managed 15 offensive rebounds and recorded 7 assists. Milos Uzan led the way with 14 points, shooting 66.7% (6/9) from the field and 50.0% (2/4) from beyond the arc, adding 5 assists. L.J. Cryer contributed 13 points, hitting 3 of 4 threes, while J’Wan Roberts added 11 points and 4 rebounds.
Utah’s defense gave up 70 points, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field on 26 of 60 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 21 two-point baskets on 42 attempts, a 50% shooting rate.
From three-point range, Utah held their opponent to 5 made threes on 18 attempts, a 27% shooting performance. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 13, hitting 68% of their free throws. Utah allowed 15 offensive rebounds.