Utah State vs BYU NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/14/2019

Game: Utah State Aggies vs BYU Cougars

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2019

Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, UT

TV: TBA

Odds/Point Spread: BYU +1

Total/Over-Under: 144

The Utah State Aggies travel to Vivint Smart Home Arena to play the BYU Cougars on Saturday, December 14, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Utah State as 1 point favorites.

Utah State comes into this game with an overall record of 10-1. They currently have a point differential of 20.9 as they are averaging 81.2 points per game while giving up 60.3 per contest. BYU has an overall mark of 8-4. They are averaging 77.5 points per contest and giving up 67.3, which is a point differential of 10.2.

Valuable Utah State Aggies Betting Trends

The Utah State Aggies are 4-6-0 against the spread

The Utah State Aggies are 4-5-1 against the over/under

Important BYU Cougars Betting Trends

The BYU Cougars are 6-5-0 against the spread

The BYU Cougars are 5-6-0 against the over/under

Key Utah State Aggies Injuries

12/12/19 C Kuba Karwowski Undisclosed is questionable
12/12/19 G Sam Merrill Illness is questionable
12/08/19 C Neemias Queta Knee is questionable

Key BYU Cougars Injuries

12/13/19 F Gavin Baxter Shoulder is doubtful Saturday vs Utah State
11/05/19 G Jesse Wade Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Sam Merrill comes into this contest averaging 17.7 points per game while playing 33.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. Justin Bean averages 14.7 points per game in 30.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 11.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

TJ Haws averages 12.4 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 62%. Jake Toolson averages 15.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.1 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah State averages 81.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 20.9 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 132nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 127th in the nation. They average 44.4 rebounds per game and 16.2 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 42nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 322nd with 11.4 per game. The Aggies allow 60.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 30th in the country. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 35th and 75th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.6 rebounds a game which ranks 50th and they give up 9.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 35th place in Division 1. They force 14.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 165th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

BYU is 78th in the country with 77.5 points per game this year. They are 27th in Division 1 in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 10.2. They shoot 41% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the nation. They are 274th in the NCAA in rebounding with 33.9 boards per game, and 27th in assists per contest with 16.6. The Cougars are 260th in turnovers per game with 12.6. The Cougars surrender 67.3 points per contest, which ranks them 155th in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 29% average from 3-point range, ranking them 246th and 66th in those defensive statistics. They rank 87th with 11.1 assists allowed per contest and 117th with 33.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cougars are 66th in country in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Aggies are 19th in the nation in offensive rating with 113.5. In terms of pace they are 164th in the country with 70.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 150th. As a team they are 85th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 237th in Division 1. Utah State is 337th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

BYU is 227th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars have an offensive rating of 108.9, which is ranked 59th. They are 219th in D-1 in pace with 69.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 58% is 13th. As a unit they are 17th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shot attempts, ranking 50th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take BYU +1

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