BYU vs Utah Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 12/4/2019

Game: BYU Cougars vs Utah Utes

Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT

TV: PACN

Odds/Point Spread: Utah +1

Total/Over-Under: 143.5

The BYU Cougars head to Jon M. Huntsman Center to take on the Utah Utes on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. The opening line for this game has BYU as 1 point favorites.

BYU heads into this matchup with a mark of 6-3. They currently have a point differential of 7.0 as they are averaging 75.2 points per contest while giving up 68.2 per game. Utah has an overall mark of 5-2. They are averaging 81.4 points per contest and giving up 67.9, which is a point differential of 13.6.

Valuable BYU Cougars Betting Trends

The BYU Cougars are 4-4-0 against the spread this season

The BYU Cougars are 4-4-0 against the over/under this year

Important Utah Utes Betting Trends

The Utah Utes are 3-4-0 against the spread this season

The Utah Utes are 4-3-0 against the over/under this year

Key BYU Cougars Injuries

11/30/19 F Gavin Baxter Shoulder is questionable
11/05/19 F Yoeli Childs Suspension expected to miss 9 games
11/05/19 G Jesse Wade Knee is out indefinitely

Key Utah Utes Injuries

11/30/19 C Branden Carlson Undisclosed is questionable

Player Spotlight

Jake Toolson comes into this game averaging 15.0 points per contest while playing 34.4 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is 86%. TJ Haws averages 14.0 points per contest in 31.3 minutes per game. He averages 4.1 assists per game and 2.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 62%.

Player Spotlight

Timmy Allen scores 19.4 points per contest while playing 31.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 7.7 rebounds per contest and has 1.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Both Gach averages 12.9 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 28.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.3 rebounds per game and has 3.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

BYU averages 75.2 points per contest, which is 120th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 7.0 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 42nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 40%, which is good for 28th in the nation. They average 32.7 boards per contest and 16.3 assists per game, which ranks them 301st and 44th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 233rd with 12.9 per game. The Cougars allow 68.2 points per contest, which is 175th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 288th and 177th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 34.2 rebounds a game which ranks 135th, and they allow 11.9 assists per game which puts them in 150th place in the country. They force 13.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 109th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah is 31st in the nation with 81.4 points per contest this season. They are 13th in the country in shooting at 51%, while their average scoring margin is 13.6. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 63rd in the NCAA. They are 17th in D-1 in rebounding with 42.3 boards per contest and 40th in assists per game with 16.4. The Utes are 119th in turnovers per contest with 14.4. The Utes give up 67.9 points per game, which ranks them 171st in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 40% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 104th and 217th in those defensive statistics. They rank 167th with 12.1 dimes allowed per game and 41st with 31.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Utes are 20th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 11.0 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cougars are 83rd in the nation in offensive rating with 107. In terms of pace they are 229th in the country with 69.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 57% is 21st. As a team they are 30th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 64th in Division 1. BYU is 182nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Utah is 119th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.8 times per 100 possessions. The Utes have an offensive rating of 113.8, which is ranked 23rd. They are 138th in D-1 in pace with 71.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 58% is 10th. As a unit they are 8th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 136th in the country.

Who will win tonight's BYU/Utah college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take BYU -1

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