Utah remains one of the most underrated teams in college basketball as the Utes are 25-13 ATS versus teams with a winning record, including 16-6 ATS versus opponents with a win percentage between .600 and .800. Let’s also note that Utah is 20-9 ATS with revenge, 17-6 ATS at home off a home loss, 11-1 ATS after a home game and 30-15 ATS at home following two or more consecutive losses. The foregoing trends tell us that Utah responds well to adversity, especially on its home court where the altitude gives the Utes a significant advantage over other Pac-12 teams.
Utah Underrated on Both End of the Court:
Utah is averaging 78.1 points per game against teams that would combine to allow 73.6 points per game, including shooting 49.7% from the field. Even more impressive is the fact that the Utes are 16-2 SU and 10-3 ATS at home this season where they are averaging 83.9 points per game on 52.6% shooting from the field. Overall, Utah is 4.5 points per game better than average offensively, although we can expect even greater production in Salt Lake City.
On the defensive end of the floor, Utah is allowing 64.3 points per game to teams that would combine to average 70.8 points per game, thereby making the Utes 6.5 points per game better than average. However, just like its offense, Utah plays much better defense on its home floor where the Utes are limiting opponents to a mere 62.3 points per game on 39.0% shooting from the field and 29.2% from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, Arizona State continues to play significantly worse on the road where the Sun Devils are averaging just 71.9 points per game while giving up 72.3 points per game. Overall, Arizona State is 7.1 points per game better than average offensively (75.8 points per game against teams that would combine to allow 68.7 points per game) and 4.4 points per game better than average defensively (67.4 points per game to teams that would combine to average 71.8 points per game). While Arizona State and Utah are relatively even from a fundamental standpoint, the difference lies in the substantial home/road dichotomy between the two teams. Pro Edge Sports gives a slot nod to Utah as a home favorite tonight.