Utah vs TCU Prediction – The Game Breakdown
Most college basketball teams are wrapping up their non-conference schedule this week, and Wednesday night’s Utah vs. TCU showdown in Salt Lake City represents one of the best remaining cross-conference matchups.
Sportsmemo college basketball handicapper JM Sports offers his thoughts on the clash between the Utes and Horned Frogs and quality college basketball picks.
Check out our College Basketball Free Picks page for betting thoughts from some of the country’s top handicappers.
Utah Utes vs TCU Horned Frogs Game Analysis
Both of these teams rank inside the top-30 in defensive efficiency, and they possess similarities on the offensive side of the ball as well.
Utah is No. 3 in the country in effective field-goal percentage allowed, and the Utes are in the top-5 in both three-point and two-point shooting percentage allowed.
Utah is one of the tallest teams in the country, and the Utes have done a fantastic job of limiting chances on the inside.
TCU’s defense has achieved similar results, but the Horned Frogs have done things a little differently in Fort Worth this season.
Dixon Doing The Lineup Shuffle
Jamie Dixon’s squad is No. 28 in the country in forcing turnovers. The Horned Frogs have done a great job defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to connect on just 27.5-percent of their attempts (No. 20).
Only two spots separate them in the efficiency rankings with Utah checking in at No. 87, followed by TCU at No. 89.
The Utes have been good from beyond-the-arc, connecting on 37.4-percent of their three-point attempts (No. 49) but neither team shoots very many of them.
Only 23-percent of TCU’s points this season have come from the three-point shot, which is No. 336 in the country.
Coach Dixon is still experimenting with his roster as the Horned Frogs get ready for Big XII play. Ten different players have started a game so far for TCU this season.
Chuck O’Bannon is the only returning starter from last year’s squad.
Utah vs TCU: Critical Players To Watch
Branden Carlson is beginning to emerge for the Utes. In their last game against BYU, Carlson shot 50-percent from the floor while leading Utah in points (18) and rebounds (6), while adding two assists and a block.
One of TCU’s rare regular starters, Eddie Lampkin, missed the Horned Frogs’ last game with a back injury. Lampkin has started seven games this season and played a major role in TCU’s two biggest wins against Providence and Iowa.
Utah role player Mike Saunders missed the Utes’ last game against BYU. Saunders was averaging 17 minutes per game at the beginning of the season, but has since taken a decreased role as he’s battled some injuries.
Utah vs TCU Prediction
TCU has played the easiest schedule in the entire country. The Horned Frogs have played five teams ranked outside of KenPom’s top-300, including three teams outside of the top-350.
Utah will represent, by far, the biggest defensive challenge that the Horned Frogs have faced this season.
So, the TCU Horned Frogs vs Utah matchup should be a chance for both teams to prove their competitive legitimacy.
TCU has not played a road game all season. This will be their first visit to a hostile environment. This game is being played at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz.
For a team like TCU that doesn’t shoot the three-pointer very well, they will probably struggle with the sight lines of a large NBA arena. Lay the small number with Utah for this Utah vs TCU struggle.
Prediction: Utah Utes -1
Betting Odds For Utah vs TCU
Wednesday, December 21 | Betting Need to Know |
---|---|
Point Spread: | Utah Utes -1 vs TCU Horned Frogs |
Total: | 140.5 Points |
Game Time: | 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT |
Arena: | Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, UT (Odds Above by DraftKings) |
TV: | Pac 12 Network |
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College Basketball Odds Screen – Odds TCU vs Utah – Follow the TCU vs Utah Prediction
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