Southern Utah Thunderbirds (2-5) vs. Utah Utes (5-2)
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes 12/5/23 – The Southern Utah Thunderbirds will take on the Utah Utes on Tuesday night in a college basketball matchup. Coming into this game, the Thunderbirds have struggled this season while the Utes have fared better. However, this should still be a competitive game that basketball fans won’t want to miss. For the best college basketball free picks on this matchup, read on.
The Thunderbirds come into this matchup having lost four of their last five games. Their wins have come against lowly opponents, while they’ve struggled against tougher competition. Offensively, Southern Utah is led by guard Zion Young who is averaging 14.4 points per game while shooting nearly 40% from three. However, the Thunderbirds are only scoring 74.3 points per contest as a team which could make it tough to keep up with Utah’s high-powered offense.
On the other side, Utah has won five of its last seven games and brings a 5-2 record into this matchup. The Utes are led by center Branden Carlson who is scoring over 17 points while grabbing 6 rebounds per game. As a team, Utah is scoring over 80 points per game on 47.2% shooting from the field. Their offensive firepower combined with playing at home should give them an edge in this matchup with the Thunderbirds.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes 12/5/23 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Jon M. Huntsman Center |
| TV: | PACN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Zion Young (Guard) vs. Branden Carlson (Center)
Guard Zion Young has been the leader for an otherwise struggling Southern Utah offense this season. He’s scoring over 14 points per game while also contributing nearly 5 rebounds per contest. His three-point shot has been reliable and he has the capability to score points in bunches. However, Young has also struggled with efficiency at times and turns the ball over nearly twice a game. He will need limit mistakes against a tough Utah defense.
On the other side, Branden Carlson has been the catalyst for the Utes offense, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding. In addition to his over 17 points per game, Carlson is shooting an efficient 47% from the floor. His size and length also allow him to protect the rim defensively. Carlson poses a tough matchup for the undersized Thunderbirds and he could be poised for a big game.
This matchup pits Young’s quickness and perimeter scoring ability against Carlson’s size and versatility. Whichever player is able to exploit the most favorable mismatch could ultimately decide which team comes out on top. If Young gets hot from three he could spark an upset, but Carlson’s efficient inside-out game should carry Utah if he stays out of foul trouble.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: Utah Utes -4500, Total Odds: 145.5
The betting odds heavily favor the Utah Utes, reflecting their superior record and strong home performance. The point spread of -21.5 for Utah indicates expectations of a one-sided affair.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds Betting Trends
Southern Utah has been respectable against the spread this season with a 4-2 ATS record. As underdogs by over 20 points, they have at times played better than expected. The over has also hit in 6 of the Thunderbirds’ last 8 games, fueled by their fast-paced offense. However, Southern Utah only has 1 outright win in its last 7 contests. They have especially struggled on the road, going 0-5 straight up this season when away from home.
Utah Utes Betting Trends
The Utes have been solid this season, covering the spread in 5 of their 7 games. Playing at home, Utah is 14-5 straight up in its last 19 contests at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The Utes also have a strong history against Southern Utah, winning 6 of the last 7 matchups against them in Utah. With a slower paced offense, unders have hit in 6 of Utah’s last 7 games against WAC opponents. However, overs have hit in recent games for the Utes when playing in December.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Utah Utes 12/5/23 Betting Picks
Based on the analysis and trends, Utah Utes appear to be the strong favorites in this matchup. Their offensive and defensive superiority, coupled with their impressive home record, gives them a clear advantage. Southern Utah, while capable of putting up a fight, faces an uphill battle, especially in Utah’s stronghold.
For those looking at premium predictions, the Utah Utes are the safer bet, particularly considering the point spread and their consistent performance. However, the potential for a high-scoring game and Southern Utah’s ability to cover spreads should not be overlooked.
Free Pick and Prediction: Utah Utes 85, Southern Utah Thunderbirds 62