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The Utah Utes host the Arizona Wildcats in Salt Lake City on Thursday. This is a top-end-of-the-table clash in the Pac-12 Conference. Arizona are favorites, but Utah needs a victory to keep pace at the top of the table. Can Utah pull off a win? We give you the answer in our latest NCAAB betting picks.
- What; 2023/24 NCAA Men’s Basketball
- Who; Utah Utes vs. Arizona Wildcats
- Where; Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
- When; Thursday, February 8th 2024
- Tip-Off; 8 pm ET
These two colleges met in early January. Back then, the Wildcats came out on top, beating the Utes 92-73 at the McKale Center.
In that fixture, the Wildcats had a home-court advantage. But on this occasion, it’s the Utes who are the home side. And so far this season, Utah has enjoyed playing at their home venue, where they currently hold an impressive-looking 12-0 record.
Latest betting to win the Pac-12 Conference
It might be reasonably close to the top of the Pac-12 Conference, but the best college basketball betting sites already seem to think it is a foregone conclusion. Arizona (8-3) leads the way in the betting, and they are -500 to top the table in the regular season.
Their closest rivals in the Conference table are WA State and Oregon, with both colleges having 7-4 records. But in the betting to top the Conference, WA State and Oregon are both +1400. Arizona’s closest betting rivals are Colorado (6-5) at +800. For the record, Utah is also +1400.
Betting to win the Men’s 2024 NCAA Basketball Championship
This is now becoming a fast-moving market, with the betting favorites changing on an almost daily basis. The current leaders are UConn. The defending champions are +600 to win the Championship again.
Second in the betting is the Purdue Boilermakers at +700. The Boilermakers and the Huskies have been swapping places at the top of this market for a few weeks now.
Behind the leading two candidates are the Houston Cougars at +900, with Arizona fourth at +1200. Just behind the Wildcats are North Carolina and Tennessee at +1400. Kansas and Auburn are at +1800.
Utah Utes vs. Arizona Wildcats Match Betting
The most recent NCAAB betting lines favor a win for the visitors. The Utes’ impressive home-court record isn’t impacting the bookmakers, as they make Arizona their favorites at -240 on the money line. The Utes are +195.
On the handicap spread, the Utes are receiving a 5.5-point advantage. To win with the spread, Utah is -110. To win and cover the 5.5-point spread, Arizona is -110.
The total points amount is 160. Over and under are both -110. More betting options are available on our college basketball odds table. For our odds, we only use the top-rated NCAA basketball betting sites.
| Utah vs. Arizona |  |  |  |
| Utah | +195 | N/A | +195 |
| Arizona | -240 | N/A | -240 |
| Utah (-5.5) | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Arizona (+5.5) | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Over 160 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 160 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
Utah Utes vs. Arizona Wildcats: Latest Form
The Utah Utes sit fourth in the Pac-12 with a Conference record of 6-5. Overall, Utah is 15-7 this season. But when you break that down, it equates to a 12-0 home record and a 1-5 road record.
The Utes are currently on a winning streak of one, having defeated Colorado 73-68 (at home, of course) in their most recent fixture last weekend.
The Arizona Wildcats proudly sit top of the Pac-12 Conference with a record of 8-3. In their overall record, the Wildcats are 17-5. At home, they are 12-0, and on the road, a more modest 3-3.
The Wildcats are currently on a three-match winning streak. The wins have come away at Oregon (87-78) and at home to California (91-65) and Stanford (82-71). The win over Stanford on Sunday was their most recent result.
THIS IS OUR HOUSE. 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ikUpZI9K7H
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) February 5, 2024
Utah Utes vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Picks
The Utes have an outstanding home record, of that there is no doubt. But more worryingly for Craig Smith’s team is that nearly all of their 12 wins have come against unranked opposition. Meaning, in short, they haven’t really been tested at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Arizona will test the Utes. And in the reverse fixture just one month ago, the Wildcats made light work of Utah in Arizona. A further worry for Smith is the manner of the away defeats. In the last two weeks, they’ve lost 98-73 to Washington and 79-57 to WA State.
Okay, the Utes are a different proposition at home. But those road trip losses can’t be ignored, and they suggest that Utah could be out of their depth when the Wildcats come calling. Also going against the Utes is an injury to their influential point guard, Rollie Worster. He’s not likely to play. And even if he does, he may not be firing on all cylinders.
We’re tempted to just back Arizona on the money line at -240 with Bovada. But when we compare those odds to the -110 available to cover the 5.5-point spread, it makes the handicap line look the more appealing bet.
For our betting pick, we are going for Arizona to win and cover.
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