The IPFW Mastodons (7-2) can extend a five-game road winning streak when they match up with the Utah Runnin’ Utes (6-1) at Jon M. Huntsman Center. The game starts at 2:00 pm ET on Saturday, Dec. 5 and can be seen on PAC.
The Runnin’ Utes enter this game hoping for similar success after defeating BYU 83-75 on Wednesday. With 26 points and 13 rebounds, Jakob Poeltl recorded his fifth double-double of the season. The Mastodons, meanwhile, are coming off a 75-73 win against Cal Poly on Thursday. Max Landis led the team in scoring by registering 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting.
Utah is a considerable 16-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 143 points. The Runnin’ Utes enter the game with records of 6-1 Straight Up (SU) and 2-4-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Utah has gotten to the free throw line often this season. They average 19 made free throws per game, which is 30th-best in Division I.
In the other locker room, the Mastodons have started the season well ATS with a 6-0 record to go along with a 7-2 SU record. The Mastodons rely heavily on three-pointers on offense, ranking 10th in the nation with 85 made (9.0 per game).
This game will be the first meeting for Utah and IPFW in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – Utah, ATS Winner – IPFW, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Utah’s last 7 games.
Utah is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah’s last 5 games at home.
Utah scores just 81.3 points per home game (ranked 139th). IPFW ranks 59th in points allowed on the road, giving up 67.0 points.
On average, Utah has 69.0 possessions per game and scores 1.161 points on each possession. IPFW has both fewer possessions (67.3) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.050).
IPFW has an average effective field goal percentage of 51.7%. Utah is an even 1-1 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Utah attempts 24.0 three pointers and IPFW attempts 26.0. Both teams have winning records when they have 20 or more three point attempts. The Utah Runnin’ Utes sit at 5-1 and the IPFW Mastodons are 7-2.
IPFW ranks 295th in offensive rebounds, while Utah ranks at 97th in defensive rebounds.
IPFW averages a forced turnover percentage of 19.5% this season. When the Utah Runnin’ Utes suffer a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this, the team is winless with a 0-1 record.
