Utah vs. BYU Odds & Picks: How to Bet This College Basketball Rivalry

Utah vs. BYU Odds

Saturday, Dec. 17

6 p.m. ET

CBS Sports Network

Utah Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-2 -110	146.5 -110o / -110u	-130

BYU Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+2 -110	146.5 -110o / -110u	+110

Odds via Caesars. Get up-to-the-minute college basketball odds here.

Utah will make the short trip to BYU for the 22nd matchup between these two inter-state rivals.

Although this rivalry is famous for their play on the football field, the basketball matchup has been highly competitive of late.

BYU leads the all-time series 13-8, including wins in the last two matchups.

Both teams come into Saturday's contest trending in the right direction.

BYU is coming of its first marquee win of the season, taking down Creighton, 83-80, last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Utah has been red-hot in the month of December. The Utes took down No. 9 Arizona on December 1 to start a five-game winning streak.

Utah Utes

After going 11-20 last season, Utah has drastically improved in Craig Smith's second year at the helm.

Utah has been able to improve by returning 55.3% of its minutes from a year ago. Smith has been able to combine this experience with length and size (14th nationally in average height) to put together one of the most effective defensive units in the country.

This size has allowed Utah to protect the rim at an elite level, ranking 14th in Block% and fifth in 2P%.

Much of this interior defensive success has been led by Branden Carlson, who ranks 22nd nationally in Block% (10.1%).

Carlson's presence will be crucial against a BYU team that has been limited by injuries to its frontcourt.

Additionally, Carlson will see a lot of action at the rim, as BYU ranks 327th in 3-point shooting, making just 28.6% of its outside shots.

Utah will not give BYU a lot of opportunities to improve these shooting numbers, as the Utes rank sixth in the country in 3P% defense, allowing just 39.2% per game.

Look for Utah to make BYU earn every basket on the offensive end.

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BYU Cougars

BYU's season has been a rollercoaster through 12 games.

The Cougars have marquee wins against Dayton and Creighton, but have also lost to South Dakota and Utah Valley, who are both outside the top 120.

This up-and-down season has largely been a result of injuries.

The most important of these injuries has been to center Fousseyni Traore.

Traore's status will be important to monitor on Saturday. Without Traore, BYU will have a tough time stopping Carlson on both ends of the floor.

Additionally, BYU has been able to supplement its offense through an offense rebounding percentage that ranks 32nd nationally.

Most of these second attempts are created by Traore, who ranks 48th among all D-I players in offensive rebounding percentage (14.2%).

Another disadvantage the Cougars will have on Saturday night is with the turnover battle. BYU turns the ball over at an astonishing 22.4% rate, which is one of the highest in the nation.

As good as Utah has played defensively this season, BYU will have to drastically improve its turnover percentage in order to find any type of consistent success.

Utah vs. BYU Betting Pick

In a game that Utah lost at home last season, its large contingent of returning starters will be looking for revenge on Saturday night.

Even if Traore is able to give it a go on Saturday, Utah will still have a major defensive advantage against a BYU offense that has not shown any consistent efficiency on offense.

Look for Utah to force BYU to settle for outside shots, an area where the Cougars have struggled all season.

Pick: Utah -3.5 (Play to -4)

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