Utah Runnin’ Utes vs Baylor Bears NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/31/24
Planning on watching today’s Runnin’ Utes and Bears game? Catch the action at Foster Pavilion in Waco, TX, as the Bears hosts this showdown at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this Big 12 conference contest is set at 152.5 points, with Baylor being favored by -11.5 at home against Utah.
UTAH RUNNIN’ UTES VS BAYLOR BEARS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Utah Runnin’ Utes +11.5
This game will be played at Foster Pavilion at 2:00 ET on Tuesday, December 31st.
WHY BET THE UTAH RUNNIN’ UTES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 in favor of the Bears.
- Even though we have Baylor winning straight-up, we like Utah at +11.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 152.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.
Will Utah Shock Everyone at Foster Pavilion?
Utah Runnin’ Utes Recent Game/Games
Utah’s season record dropped to 8-3 after a 95-88 loss to Iowa on Saturday. The Utes entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 183, surpassing the pre-game over/under line of 163.5.
Utah led 40-36 at halftime but allowed 59 points in the 2nd half while scoring 48. Defensive struggles in the 2nd half were a key factor in the loss.
Utah’s offense put up 88 points in their last game, shooting 51.5% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 55.9%. They connected on 59.6% of their two-point attempts, while hitting 33.3% from beyond the arc, going 7-for-21 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they shot 68.8%, making 11 of 16 attempts.
The Utes dished out 24 assists and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds. Lawson Lovering led the way with 25 points, shooting 78.6% from the field. Mason Madsen and Payton Sandfort each added 24 points, with Madsen hitting 6 threes at a 54.5% clip.
Utah’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 95 points on 53% shooting from the field. The Utes allowed their opponent to hit 25 of 44 two-point attempts, a 56% success rate.
From beyond the arc, Utah’s defense couldn’t contain the three-point shooters, who went 9 for 20, shooting 45%. The Utes also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 18 free throws, or 75%.
Will the Baylor Defense Show Up at Home?
Baylor Bears Recent Game/Games
Baylor improved to 7-3 on the season with a 94-69 win over Norfolk State on Wednesday. The Bears were heavy favorites at -25.5 but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 163 exceeded the O/U line of 145.
After leading 39-33 at halftime, Baylor pulled away in the 2nd half, outscoring Norfolk State 55-36.
Baylor’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 94 points with a field goal percentage of 55.4%. Their effective field goal percentage was 61.5%, thanks to strong two-point shooting at 69.2% (27/39), while they hit 34.6% of their threes (9/26). The Bears also connected on 68.4% of their free throws (13/19) and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds.
Robert O. Wright III dished out 13 assists and added 16 points on 70% shooting, hitting 2 of 4 from deep. Norchad Omier also shot 70%, finishing with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Josh Ojianwuna was 6 of 7 from the field, contributing 16 points, while VJ Edgecombe matched that total, adding 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Despite Baylor’s defensive struggles, they managed to hold their opponent to 69 points. However, they allowed them to shoot 55% from the field, including 69% on two-point attempts.
From beyond the arc, Baylor’s defense gave up 9 threes on 26 attempts, a 34% shooting performance. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 13 free throws.