The Washington Huskies will be at Jon M. Huntsman Center to play the Utah Runnin’ Utes in a Pac-12 matchup. The game starts at 9:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Feb. 10 and will air on ES2 and ES3.
The Runnin’ Utes are hoping to rebound after their 76-66 loss to Oregon on Sunday. Kyle Kuzma was the team’s high scorer with 18 points. The Huskies, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 77-72 loss against Arizona on Saturday. Matisse Thybulle had a good game for Washington, posting 11 points, six steals, and three blocks.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Runnin’ Utes winning the first matchup 80-75. Jakob Poeltl recorded a double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
The Runnin’ Utes enter the game with records of 17-7 Straight Up (SU) and 10-12-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Runnin’ Utes come into the game with the nation’s 25th-ranked home scoring offense, averaging 85.0 points per game on their own court. The Runnin’ Utes are an exceptional shooting team from the line with 17.0 free throws made per game, one of the highest marks in Division I. The Utah defense has done poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 86.9 points per game, well above their season average of 69.9. The Runnin’ Utes do a great job keeping their opponents off of the glass and limiting second-chance points. They average 28.2 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks 28th in Division I. Expect Utah to have lots of opportunities at the line against the Huskies, who lead the nation with an average of 24.9 fouls per game.
On the other side, the Huskies have 15-8 SU and 12-10 ATS records. They sport the sixth-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 84.6 points per game. The Huskies are a force on the offensive glass, grabbing an average of 15.3 offensive rebounds per game. The last 10 games have really brought out the best of the Huskies on the defensive end. They’ve allowed 68.6 points per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 80.0. The Huskies are a terror in the passing lanes, averaging an impressive 8.1 steals per game.
Utah won the last meeting this season between these two teams, evening up the two teams’ head-to-head record over their most recent games (5-5). On the other hand, Utah leads the matchup ATS with a record of 7-3. Utah held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while Washington was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Wash, ATS Winner – Wash
Notes
Utah averages 78.3 points per game (ranked 58th). Washington, on the other hand, allows 80.0 points per game (ranked 242nd).
Utah is one of the top-scoring teams at home, averaging 85.0 points per game (ranked 25th). Washington, on the other hand, allows 85.4 points per away game (ranked 247th).
Ranked 26th, the Utah Runnin’ Utes have an offensive rating of 114.3. The Washington Huskies rank 150th with a defensive rating of just 101.8.
The Utah Runnin’ Utes have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking 17th in the nation with a FG% of 48.7%. When their opponents have a similar or higher FG%, the Washington Huskies are 2-3.
On average, Utah attempts 20.0 three pointers and Washington attempts 22.0. Both teams have winning records when they have 20 or more three point attempts. The Utah Runnin’ Utes sit at 11-2 and the Washington Huskies are 11-6.
Utah ranks 86th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.20. Washington is ranked lower at 185th with an A/TO of 1.02.
Washington, the 10th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 41.9 rebounds per game. Utah ranks 88th with 38.3.
Washington ranks among the best in the country in offensive rebounding at fourth, while Utah ranks 28th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Utah forces a turnover rate of 15.0%. When Washington turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a stellar 12-4 record.
