Arizona vs Utah Prediction 1/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Dec 16, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) dunks the ball during the first half of the game against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Arizona Wildcats
Utah Utes
Team Records
14-0
8-6
Where
Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT
When
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Time
04:00 PM EST
TV
Peacock
The Arizona Wildcats and the Utah Utes meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Jon M. Huntsman Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Arizona Wildcats vs. Utah Utes prediction.
Arizona Wildcats Recap
The Arizona Wildcats come into this game looking to add on to their 99-71 win over South Dakota State last time out to sit at 13-0 on the year. After this game, Arizona will head home for a game against Kansas State.
Wildcats Looking To Stay Unbeaten
Brayden Burries leads the Wildcats in scoring with 14 PPG along with 3.3 RPG and 2.4 APG while Koa Peat has 13.8 PPG with 4.9 RPG and 2.8 APG. Jaden Bradley has 13.4 PPG with 3.9 RPG and 4.1 APG to lead the Wildcats in assists. Anthony Dell’Orso has 10.8 PPG with 2.1 RPG and 2.7 APG and Motiejus Krivas has 10.3 PPG with 8.1 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Arizona so far this season. Tobe Awaka has 9.4 PPG with a team-high 10.4 RPG to lead the Wildcats in rebounding up to this point in the year. As a team, Arizona is averaging 89.6 PPG on 51.9% shooting from the field, 37.6% from three and 72.6% from the foul line so far this season.
Utah Utes Recap
The Utah Utes come into this game looking to bounce back from their 74-65 loss at the hands of Washington to sit at 8-5 this season. After this game, Utah will head on the road for a game against Colorado.
Utes Alternate Wins & Losses In 7 Straight
Terrence Brown leads Utah in scoring with 21.6 PPG along with 2 RPG and a team-high 3.3 APG to share the team lead in assists with Keanu Dawes who has 11.4 PPG with a team-high 9.8 RPG and 3.3 APG as well this season. Don McHenry has 17.4 PPG with 3.8 RPG and Seydou Traore has 10.7 PPG with 3.9 RPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Utah up to this point in the year. As a team, Utah is averaging 81.4 PPG on 46.3% shooting from the field, 35.6% from three and 74% from the foul line this season.
Arizona Wildcats @ Utah Utes Betting Trends: January 3, 2026
Why the Utah Utes will win
Utah has won seven of its last eight games at Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Arizona has lost each of its last three road games as a top-15 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
Utah has won the first half in each of its last four games.
Why the Arizona Wildcats will win
Arizona has won each of its last 16 games as a top-3 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
Utah has lost each of its last eight games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
Arizona has won the first half in each of its last 15 games as a top-3 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
Total Points Facts
Each of Utah’s last 11 day games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 157 or fewer points.
Fifteen of Arizona’s last 16 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 159 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
Arizona ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (60.1%).
Arizona ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+24.1).
Arizona Wildcats vs. Utah Utes Prediction
I’m on Arizona here. I think this is just a case of Arizona being heads and shoulders the better team in this matchup, and we’ve seen the Wildcats drill teams on the road all year long. In fairness, this is Arizona’s first true road game of the year, but I still think that Arizona smashes the Utes, who I envision being the worst team in the Big 12 this season. Give me Arizona here.
