Utah Running Utes vs
Mississippi St. BulldogsPredictions & Preview

Highly Anticipated College Basketball Matchup Between Utah Utes and Mississippi State Bulldogs Set for Sunday Showdown

On Sunday, the Utah Utes (3-0) will face off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-0) in a highly anticipated college basketball matchup. Both teams have high expectations this season and are coming off strong performances in their last games. The game will take place at the Landers Center in Southaven, MS at 4:00 ET. Mississippi State is currently favored to win, with the betting line opening at -5.5 and now sitting at -7.5. Stay tuned for my picks and predictions for this exciting game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Running Utes +255 | Bulldogs -312
• Spread: Running Utes +7.5 (-110) | Bulldogs -7.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 150 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Mississippi St. will win straight-up is 76%.

Utah vs Mississippi St. Stats

Utah Running Utes

Coach Craig Smith has returned to lead the Utah Utes men's basketball team, with a current record of 53-50. Last season, the team finished sixth in the PAC-12 before moving to the Big 12, where they are predicted to finish last in the preseason poll. Despite this, the sports betting market gives them the fifth-longest odds to win the conference. The team is off to a strong 3-0 start this year, with recent standout performances from Gabe Madsen and Ezra Ausar. The team ranks 17th in power rankings, with a strong offense averaging 98 points per game, but a defense allowing 62.33 points. Offensively, they rank highly in field goal and three-point percentage, as well as in rebounding and assists. Defensively, they excel in opponent field goal percentage but struggle with three-pointers.

Mississippi St. Bulldogs Analysis

Coach Chris Jans returns for his third season with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, aiming to improve upon last year's 21-14 record. The team is off to a strong start with a perfect 3-0 record, winning games against West Georgia, Georgia State, and SE Louisiana. Despite being projected to finish mid-table in the SEC, the Bulldogs have shown promise with their recent performances. In their most recent win over SE Louisiana, Josh Hubbard led the scoring effort with 23 points. The team has excelled in field goal percentage, turnovers, and rebounding, showcasing their dominant play on the court. The Bulldogs rank #37 in offense, averaging 92.00 points per game, and #63 in defense, allowing 61.67 points per game. Their statistics show strength in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and rebounding, while also demonstrating solid defensive efforts. Mississippi State looks poised for a successful season as they continue to build on their early successes.

Utah's Rebounding Advantage Makes Them a Strong Pick as Underdogs against Mississippi State

Given the significant advantage Utah has in rebound rate and a close match in adjusted efficiency margin according to KenPom, I have decided to invest in Utah as the underdog in this game. Utah, starting the season 3-0 with no close games thus far, appears to be a strong contender. The Utes have shown exceptional rebounding skills, ranking 18th in the nation with a 58.6% rebound rate, while Mississippi State lags behind at 153rd with 50.9%. With a careful analysis of these statistics, it is apparent that Utah has the potential to perform well against Mississippi State. Therefore, I anticipate that Utah will keep the game close and ultimately emerge victorious.

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