The Utah Utes (9-15, 2-12 Pac-12) and Colorado Buffaloes (14-9, 6-7) clash in a Saturday conference battle in Boulder, Colo. The contest at the CU Events Center is slated to tip off at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Utah vs. Colorado odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Utah is playing its first game since Feb. 5 when it lost at home to the Oregon Ducks 80-77, marking the team’s 11th loss in 12 games since Dec. 30. Over that 12-game stretch, Utah has scuffled in shooting the ball (44.1% on 2-point attempts) and in the exchange of turnovers. Utah has been a minus-3.5 in turnovers on average since Dec. 30.
The Buffaloes snapped a three-game skid with an 86-63 rout of Oregon State Feb 5. They, too, have been idle since. Colorado has sported one of the top defenses in the Pac-12 circuit this winter. The Buffs have held foes under 40% from the field in four of their last eight games.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Utah at Colorado odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:41 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Utah +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Colorado -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Utah +4.5 (-107) | Colorado -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Utah at Colorado odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado 71, Utah 65
Money line
Utah excels in 3-point defense, but that’s not a big part of Colorado’s game. Shooting in and around the paint, rebounding, and free-throw rate are all factors that tilt enough into the Buffs’ column to make Colorado (-230) worth looking into.
The price is a bit expensive. Parlaying the Buffaloes with another play would be a better option, but focusing on the spread below is the way to go.
Against the spread
The Utes are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games against teams with a winning home record. The Buffaloes are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games as home favorites. The favorite is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings between Utah and Colorado.
TAKE THE BUFFALOES -4.5 (-115).
Over/Under
Not enough pull in any direction here. STEER CLEAR.
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