The Colorado Buffaloes (14-11, 6-8 Pac-12) battle the Utah Utes (16-9, 9-5) Saturday. Tip from Jon M. Huntsman Center is set for 10 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Utah vs. Colorado odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
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This will be the first of 2 battles between the programs with the second coming March 4.
Colorado is coming off an 84-62 win over Stanford Feb. 5, covering as a 5-point home favorite. It is just 1-1-6 against the spread (ATS) over its last 8 games. The Buffaloes are 9-15-1 ATS on the season.
The Utes, on the other hand, beat Cal 61-46 Feb. 5 yet failed to cover as a 17.5-point home underdog. Utah is 0-3 ATS over its last 3 yet 3-3 ATS over its last 6. It is 13-12 ATS on the season.
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Colorado at Utah odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Colorado +3.5 (-105) | Utah -3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Colorado at Utah picks and predictions
Prediction
Utah 70, Colorado 61
Moneyline
AVOID.
Colorado is just 1-7 straight up on the road. Utah could have some value if the moneyline drops to -160 or so, but we’re going to PASS.
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Against the spread
BET UTAH -3.5 (-115).
Colorado is the worst road-covering team in the Pac-12, posting just a 1-6-1 ATS record away from home. The Buffaloes are also the 2nd-worst covering team in conference play, just 4-9-1 ATS against Pac-12 opponents.
Utah is 8-6 ATS against conference teams. It is also 8-7 ATS as the home team. Utah has won all but 1 game this season by at least 4 points, so it is safe to assume a bet on the spread is almost virtually the same as one for it to win outright.
Considering the trends and the Buffaloes’ poor road play, back UTAH -3.5 (-115).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 136.5 (-115).
The Utah defense is one of the best in the nation, ranking 18th in opponents’ points per game (61.8) and 5th in opponents’ field goal percentage (38%).
The Utes have gone Under in 3 of their last 4 and have held 2 of their last 4 opponents to 46 or fewer points. Utah is 9-16 O/Y on the season while Colorado is 12-13 O/U. The teams are a combined 10-18 O/U in conference games.
Ultimately, back the UNDER 136.5 (-115).
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