Washington vs Utah Basketball Prediction & Picks: Utes Eye Eighth Straight Win to End 2023

Published: Sun Dec 31, 2023, 4:49 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

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In the penultimate game on this year's college basketball schedule, Washington will visit Utah (6:00 pm ET, Pac-12 Network) in a matchup of two of the better offensive teams in the Pac-12.

With every win, the Utes (10-2, 1-0 Pac-12) move closer to hearing their name called on Selection Sunday for the first time since 2016. Wrapping up 2023 with an eighth straight win will only further boost their March Madness hopes, as the Huskies (8-4, 0-1 Pac-12) own a win over Gonzaga and have played several quality opponents thus far this season.

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The latest of those was Colorado, who held off Washington 73-69 in their Pac-12 opener on Friday.

It will go down as a good comeback for the Buffaloes, who were down by seven with under six minutes remaining. On the other side, it will go down as a real missed opportunity for the Huskies, who were in position for an impressive road win prior to being outscored 17-6 over the final six minutes.

Sahvir Wheeler Washington Huskies basketball

Washington vs Utah Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline. If you're interested in trying them out, we recommend checking out our BetOnline review.

Spread

Washington +10 (-110)
Utah -10 (-110)

Over/Under

Over 153.5 (-110)
Under 153.5 (-110)

Last Five Games for Washington

at Colorado (12/29): lost 73-69
vs Eastern Washington (12/21): won 73-66
at Seattle (12/17): won 100-99 (2OT)
vs Gonzaga (12/9): won 78-73
vs Montana State (12/5): won 85-61

Last Five Games for Utah

vs Washington State (12/29): won 80-58
vs Bellarmine (12/20): won 85-43
vs Utah Valley (12/16): won 76-62
vs BYU (12/9): won 73-69
vs Southern Utah (12/5): won 88-86

Players to Watch for Washington

Keion Brooks Jr.: 20.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 40.4% 3PT
Sahvir Wheeler: 15.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 7.1 APG
Moses Wood: 11.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG
Koren Johnson: 9.9 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.8 APG

Players to Watch for Utah

Branden Carlson: 17.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 BPG
Gabe Madsen: 14.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 45.7% 3PT
Rollie Worster: 10.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.6 SPG
Keba Keita: 10.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 72.4% FG

Washington vs Utah Prediction and Picks

Since losing back-to-back games to Houston and St. John's at the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, the Utes have won seven straight games, including a road win over Saint Mary's and a home win over BYU.

In that stretch, the Utes have scored an average of 79.9 points per game, and they have allowed an average of just 65 points per game. They have been especially in their last two games, including Friday's cruise against the Cougars, who shot only 20% (4 of 20) from three and 31.3% (21 of 67) overall from the field.

There might be a little more scoring by the opposition and overall in this matchup. The Huskies had scored 70+ points in their first 11 games and looked almost certain to make it 12 straight before being cold down the stretch at Colorado.

Also, both teams move things along on the offensive end quicker than most teams in the country, and they both shoot the ball fairly well while doing so.

Washington is 35th nationally in average offensive possession length, and they shoot a respectable enough 47.1% from the field while averaging 62.8 field goal attempts per game (2nd in the Pac-12).

Utah, meanwhile, is 67th nationally in average offensive possession length, and they rank third in the Pac-12 in shooting percentage (48.5%) and second in three-point percentage (38.2%) while averaging 60.5 field goal attempts per game (6th in the Pac-12).

So, we should see some scoring in SLC, but how will the game play out otherwise?

Washington's four losses this season have come by a combined 19 points, which isn't horrible when you consider that their losses have come to Nevada, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Colorado, all of whom are currently top 40 both in the NET and at KenPom and would be in the March Madness field if the tournament started today.

So, though I like the Utes to win this one, I don't think they will blow Washington away. And if the chips–and shots–fall right, the Huskies could very well win outright.

Prediction: Utah to win

Picks: Washington +10 & Washington/Utah over 153.5 (Both -110 at BetOnline – Bet these plays and get a 100% BONUS on your first cryptocurrency deposit)

Where to Bet on College Basketball

If you are looking for college basketball odds, you will always be spoiled for choice.

Sports betting sites all over the internet offer a vast array of NCAA basketball odds throughout the season, from the opening tip in November to the conclusion of the season in early April.

Along with being able to bet on games like Nevada vs Hawaii, many online sportsbooks offer men's college basketball national championship odds, women's college basketball national championship odds, men's Wooden Award odds, women's Wooden Award odds, and odds on who will win early season and conference tournaments.

Below are some of the books that we highly recommend for college basketball betting:

If you don't have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.