South Dakota vs Utah Tech Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/19/24

The South Dakota Coyotes are visiting the Utah Tech Trailblazers on Thursday, December 19th at the Burns Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a South Dakota Coyotes vs Utah Tech Trailblazers Prediction.

Utah Tech Trailblazers Preview

The Utah Tech Trailblazers have a 3-10 record this season and are coming off a 100-66 win over Whittier. The Trailblazers are 5-6 against the spread, and 5-6 in over/under while having a 2-2 home record. 

Offensively, Utah Tech is averaging 70 points per game, which ranks 303rd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 75.8 points per game (286th). The Trailblazers shoot 41.3% from the field (325th) and 29.1% from beyond the arc (334th). The Trailblazers shoot 64.3% from the free-throw line (336th) and are grabbing 35.5 rebounds per game (238th).

Beon Riley leads Utah Tech in scoring this season, with an average of 13.8 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds per game, while Noa Gonsalves adds 12.8 points.  

South Dakota Coyotes Preview

The South Dakota Coyotes have a 9-4 record this season and are coming off an 89-66 win over Western Illinois. The Coyotes are 6-3-1 against the spread, and 8-1-1 in over/under while having a 1-4 road record. 

Offensively, South Dakota is averaging 87 points per game, which ranks 13th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 77.7 points per game (315th). The Coyotes shoot 46.7% from the field (116th) and 32.4% from beyond the arc (241st). The Coyotes shoot 70.3% from the free-throw line (206th) and are grabbing 37.5 rebounds per game (124th).

Chase Forte leads South Dakota in scoring this season, with an average of 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and a team-high 3.6 assists, while Isaac Burns adds 13.4 points and 4.2 rebounds. 

Why the Utah Tech Trailblazers will win

• The home team has won each of South Dakota’s last seven games.
• South Dakota has lost eight of its last nine road games against non-conference opponents.
• South Dakota has lost the first half in each of its last six road games against non-conference opponents.

Why the South Dakota Coyotes will win

• Utah Tech has lost each of its last 10 night games against non-conference opponents.
• South Dakota has won each of its last three night games against the Western Athletic Conference.
• Utah Tech has lost the first half in seven of its last eight night games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Utah Tech’s last 14 night games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
• Four of South Dakota’s last five road games against non-conference opponents have produced a total of 173+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Utah Tech ranks T27th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (5.8).
• Utah Tech ranks 44th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (19.8).
• South Dakota ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (26.9).
• South Dakota ranks T12th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (87.0).

South Dakota Coyotes vs Utah Tech Trailblazers Prediction

In this South Dakota Coyotes vs Utah Tech Trailblazers Prediction, South Dakota is coming as a -2.5 road favorites. South Dakota is better offensively, scoring 17 points more than Utah Tech, while Utah Tech is better defensively, allowing 1.9 points less. The Coyotes are winning by an average of 9.3 points per game, while the Trailblazers are losing by an average of 5.8 points. Utah Tech is struggling mightily with their shooting, ranking in the bottom 40 nationally both in field goal and in 3-point percentage, so the value here lies with the road team. Take the South Dakota Coyotes and lay the points on the road.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: South Dakota Coyotes -2.5