St. Mary’s vs Utah Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/7/24

The Saint Mary’s Gaels are visiting the Utah Utes on Saturday, December 7th at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Saint Mary’s Gaels vs Utah Utes Prediction.

Utah Utes Preview

The Utah Utes have a 6-1 record this season and are coming off an 88-80 win over Eastern Washington. The Utes are 6-1 against the spread, and 6-1 in over/under, while they have a 6-0 home record. 

Offensively, Utah is averaging 90.4 points per game, which is the 5th-best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 63.7 points per game (33rd). The Utes shoot 49.7% from the field (33rd) and 39.4% from beyond the arc (24th). The Utes shoot 67.1% from the free-throw line (277th) and are grabbing 44.3 rebounds per game, which is the 4th-best in the nation.

Gabe Madsen leads Utah in scoring this season, with an average of 22.7 points, while Ezra Ausar adds 12.6 points and 5 rebounds. 

Saint Mary’s Gaels Preview

The Saint Mary’s Gaels have an 8-1 record this season and are coming off an 82-69 win over UTSA. The Gaels are 2-6 against the spread, and 5-3 in over/under while playing their first road game this season.

Offensively, Saint Mary’s is averaging 77.9 points per Gaels, which ranks 146th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 63 points per game (28th). The Hawks shoot 46.6% from the field (116th) and 30.4% from beyond the arc (290th). The Gaels shoot 66.8% from the free-throw line (290th) and are grabbing 43.8 rebounds per game, which is the 6th-best in the nation.

Augustas Marciulionis leads Saint Mary’s in scoring this season, with 15 points and a team-high 5.8 assists, while Paulius Murauskas adds 13.1 points and a team-high 9.8 rebounds.

Why the Utah Utes will win

• Utah has won each of its last 18 games against non-conference opponents at Jon M. Huntsman Center.
• Utah has won the first half in each of its last 18 games against non-conference opponents at Jon M. Huntsman Center.

Why the Saint Mary’s Gaels will win

• Saint Mary’s has won 25 of its last 27 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Utah has lost each of its last six Saturday games against the West Coast Conference.
• Saint Mary’s has won the first half in each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Saint Mary’s Gaels vs Utah Utes Prediction

Utah is 2-1 in their three meetings against Saint Mary’s and is 2-1 against the spread. In their most recent meeting last year, Utah won 78-71 on the road. In this Saint Mary’s Gaels vs Utah Utes Prediction, Utah is coming as a -1.5 home favorite. Utah is better offensively, scoring 12.5 points more than Saint Mary’s, while the Gaels are better defensively, allowing 0.7 points less. The Utes have elite shooting percentages, ranking in the top 35 of the nation in percentages in field goals, 3-pointers, and free-throws. Utah is also undefeated at home this season and has been winning by an average of 26.7 points. The value here lies with the home team, so pick the Utah Utes and lay points on at home.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Utah Utes -1.5