Saint Mary’s Gaels vs Utah Runnin’ Utes NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/7/24
Betting on today’s Gaels 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 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Utah as the -3 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 141.5 points.
SAINT MARY’S GAELS VS UTAH RUNNIN’ UTES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Utah Runnin’ Utes -3
This game will be played at Jon M. Huntsman Center at 7:00 ET on Saturday, December 7th.
WHY BET THE UTAH RUNNIN’ UTES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-69 in favor of the Runnin’ Utes.
- Not only will Utah pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -3.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 141.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.
Do the Gaels Have a Shot at a Road Win?
Saint Mary’s Gaels Recent Game/Games
Saint Mary’s improved to 7-1 on the season with an 82-74 win over UTSA on Tuesday. The Gaels, who were heavy favorites at -23, didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 156, surpassing the O/U line of 142.
Saint Mary’s took control early, leading 39-25 at halftime, but allowed UTSA to score 42 points in the 2nd half while putting up 28 points of their own.
Saint Mary’s put up 82 points in their last game, despite shooting just 40.7% from the field and 14.3% from three-point range (3/21). They were more effective inside, hitting 55.3% of their two-point attempts (21/38).
The Gaels also made 31 free throws on 43 attempts (72.1%) and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds. Amir Spears led the way with 24 points, while Augustas Marciulionis added 23 points and 8 assists.
Saint Mary’s Gaels gave up 74 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 40% from the field. The Gaels allowed 21 two-point field goals on 38 attempts, a 55% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, Saint Mary’s held their opponent to just 3 made threes on 21 attempts, a 14% shooting performance. However, they sent the other team to the free-throw line 43 times, where they converted 31 free throws, a 72% rate. The Gaels also allowed 20 offensive rebounds.
Will the Runnin’ Utes Live Up to Expectations at Home?
Utah Runnin’ Utes Recent Game/Games
Utah improved to 6-1 on the season with an 88-80 home win over Eastern Washington on Saturday. Despite being heavy favorites at -23, the Utes didn’t cover the spread, allowing the Eagles to keep the game closer than expected.
Utah led 43-41 at halftime and outscored Eastern Washington 45-39 in the second half. The game’s total points of 168 exceeded the O/U line of 152.5.
Utah put up 88 points in their last game, shooting 48.3% from the field. They were dominant inside, hitting 61.5% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, making just 4 of 19 threes (21.1%).
Gabe Madsen led the way with 28 points, knocking down 3 threes, while Andrew Cook added 23 points on 8 of 10 shooting, hitting both of his three-point attempts. The Utes also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and went 28 of 45 from the free-throw line (62.2%).
Despite Utah’s defensive struggles, they managed to limit their opponent’s three-point shooting, holding them to just 4 of 19 from beyond the arc. However, Utah’s defense couldn’t contain the inside game, as they allowed 24 two-point field goals on 39 attempts, resulting in 61% shooting from inside the arc.
Utah also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 45 times, where they converted 28 free throws. Additionally, Utah gave up 17 offensive rebounds, contributing to the 80 points they allowed in the game.