Utah vs Colorado Basketball Prediction & Picks (2/24): Which Bunch of Bubble Boys Should You Back in Big Boulder Battle?

After upsetting Arizona in Tucson, Washington State is almost a certainty to join the Wildcats as one of the Pac-12's representatives in the NCAA Tournament. But who will join them? Tonight's matchup between Utah and Colorado (9:00 pm ET, Pac-12 Network) could play a pivotal role in answering that question.

Earlier in the season, it looked like both the Utes (16-10, 7-8 Pac-12) and Buffaloes (17-9, 8-7 Pac-12) would be in the field of 68. Now, both teams are on the outside looking in with time running out to achieve a different result.

Utah was 11-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play to begin 2024, but they had lost five of six and were 0-6 on the road in Pac-12 play until snatching a last-second win at UCLA on Thursday night.

The 70-69 victory at Pauley Pavilion was key to Utah's remaining March Madness hopes, but a win tonight would be an even bigger boost ahead of next week's home games against Stanford and Cal.

The Buffaloes also picked up a vital road win last time out, defeating USC 92-89 in overtime last Saturday. Prior to beating the Trojans, Colorado had lost four of five overall and was 1-6 on the road in Pac-12 play.

Defeating the Utes likely won't move them back into the March Madness field, and it might not even move to the "First Four Out" in some brackets. But it will put them in a better position entering their own double dip with Cal and Stanford.

At this point of the season, many teams just want to have a chance to play on the big March stage. Both of these teams have one for now, but whose chance will be slimmer at the end of tonight?

Utah vs Colorado Basketball Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus and bet on tonight's battle in Boulder.

Spread

• Utah +7 (-110)
• Colorado -7 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 153 (-110)
• Under 153 (-110)

Moneyline

• Utah +270
• Colorado -325

Selection Sunday is getting closer by the day. Prep for getting in on the action with our March Madness betting guide.

Utah vs Colorado Prediction & Picks

Utah vs Colorado Betting Analysis & Prediction

When the two teams met in Salt Lake City on February 3, the home team pulled out a 73-68 win behind big games for Deivon Smith (17 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) and Gabe Madsen (21 points, 7-12 FG, 2-6 3PT, 5 of 6 FT).

The Utes have scored at least 73 points in each of their home games in Pac-12 action, but they have done so only three times and are averaging only 68.6 PPG on the road in conference play.

That isn't a promising thing for their hopes tonight, as Colorado has scored 73 or more points six times in seven home league games on the way to posting a 6-1 mark.

Based on how both teams have fared to this point, the Buffaloes are by far the better option to back. This win won't matter much if they don't tack on a few more after it, but it will put them closer to the conversation than the Utes with two regular season weekends remaining.

Utah vs Colorado Prediction: Colorado to win and cover

Utah vs Colorado Betting Picks: Colorado -7 (-110 at BetOnline)

Of Colorado's six conference wins at home, four have come by double digits. A win by that much would give them a needed NET boost in the morning, but they don't need to in order to cover the spread.

Colorado's resume is lacking in Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins, but they will add to it tonight. Arizona is the only team to score more than 70 points against the Buffaloes in Boulder, and when that happens, CU is 13-1 SU and 8-6 ATS, with the only outright loss coming at UCLA nine days ago. By contrast, Utah is 1-4 SU and ATS when scoring 70 or fewer points on the road in conference play, with Thursday's win at UCLA accounting for the lone win.

Will either of these teams be an option to pick in the $200,000 Bracket Madness contest at BetOnline? Take advantage of their 100% cryptocurrency welcome bonus and build your bankroll while you wait for Selection Sunday.