TCU vs Utah Odds, Picks, Predictions NCAAB (12/21/22)

TCU visits Utah to start the week off for both teams. TCU has underwhelmed a bit to start the year, but they seem to have gotten back on track and most recently beat Mississippi Valley State in a blowout. Utah, on the other hand, has been better than they have in recent years, but they are coming off a disappointing loss to their rival, BYU. This should be an interesting non-conference matchup. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

TCU vs. Utah Odds

Utah is a 1.5-point home favorite against TCU and is at -12o on the money line. The over/under is also at 141.5. Utah being favored here makes sense, because they are the home team here and that’s a big advantage in favor of Utah. The over/under makes sense because both of these teams can score very well and play average defense at best. This spread should stay where it’s at with Utah being a slim favorite due to home court.

TCU vs. Utah Prediction & Pick

The pick: Utah -1.5

Utah is a very solid team this year and got a huge win against Arizona recently that proves they could be for real this year as a tournament team. Branden Carlson is their do-it-all center that leads the Utes in scoring, rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage from the court. He can shoot from all over the court, including a high percentage from three-point range.

Gabe Madsen and Marco Anthony are right behind Carlson in scoring and have been very good on the wing for the Utes. Rollie Worster has also been solid at point guard this year and leads the Utes in assists too. As a team, they rebound the ball very well and are second in all of college basketball in rebounds a game with 44.

On the other side, TCU has gotten back on track since starting the season as a disappointment, highlighted by a loss to Northwestern State. TCU was looked at as a dark horse this year because most of the same players from last year’s team, decided to come back. Mike Miles Jr. is the biggest name for the Horned Frogs and he leads them in scoring, but hasn’t been 100% healthy so far this year.

The Horned Frogs are very guard and wing oriented because Emanuel Miller, Damion Baugh, and Micah Peavy are all right behind Mike Miles Jr. in scoring and Peavy leads the team in steals too. Eddie Lampkin Jr. is the big man for TCU that stands out and is a physical presence down low, who leads the team in rebounding. They are also a very good rebounding team and average 40 per game. These teams are more evenly matched than people think, but the difference is going to be the home crowd in Salt Lake City, and that’ll be the difference for the Utes.

TCU vs. Utah Key Matchups

Can Rollie Worster contain Mike Miles Jr. at all? Can Eddie Lampkin Jr. slow down Branden Carlson?

Rollie Worster vs Mike Miles Jr.

Rollie Worster has been solid for the Utes this year as an experienced point guard. He averages 10 points, 5 assists, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal on the year. He’s been a key for the Utes this year with point guard being the most important position in basketball. He has a big matchup by going against Mike Miles Jr. on defense. Miles Jr. averages 18 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal for the season. Miles is an electric player and TCU’s best player overall, so Worster has his work cut out for him in this game.

Eddie Lampkin Jr. vs Branden Carlson

Eddie Lampkin Jr. is a big physical presence inside for the Horned Frogs and he averages 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block a game. He’s a big key for the Horned Frogs this year because of his size. He has a big matchup against Branden Carlson for Utah. Carlson does it all for the Utes and averages 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and he shoots 54% from the field overall. He’s a big man that can score from the outside or the inside so he’ll be a very tough matchup for Lampkin. This should be the biggest matchup in this game.