Utah Running Utes vs
Iowa HawkeyesPredictions & Preview

Utah Utes and Iowa Hawkeyes Set to Face Off in Intriguing Men's Basketball Matchup in South Dakota - Can the Utes Maintain their Defensive Dominance?

On Saturday, an intriguing men's basketball matchup is set to take place in South Dakota between the Utah Utes and Iowa Hawkeyes at 6:00 p.m. EST in Sanford Pentagon. Both teams have strong records this season, with the Utes sitting at 8-2 and the Hawkeyes at 8-3. In their last meeting in 2024, the Utes emerged victorious with a 91-82 win in the NIT. Iowa opens as the betting favorite, with the current line set at Iowa -1. Will the Hawkeyes be able to exact revenge against Utah in this upcoming game?

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Running Utes -105 | Hawkeyes -115
• Spread: Running Utes +1 (-110) | Hawkeyes -1 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 164 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Iowa will win straight-up is 53%.

Utah vs Iowa Stats

Utah Running Utes

In the upcoming Utah vs. Iowa game, Utah is expected to showcase a strong offense, scoring an average of 86.60 points per game and ranking 14th in offense. Defensively, Utah allows an average of 64.00 points per game, ranking 30th in defense. With a power ranking of 38, Utah has a record of 8-2 this season, with a 6-4 ATS record. The Runnin' Utes excel in field goal percentage, with an average of 48.64%, and rank 47th in the NCAAB. Their free throw percentage is slightly lower at 64.16%, ranking 341st. Additionally, Utah has a three-point percentage of 38.18%, ranking 42nd. On the rebounding front, Utah averages 42.40 rebounds per game, ranking 13th, and is proficient in offensive assists, averaging 21.00 per game. Defensively, Utah is strong in field goals allowed (37.01%, ranked 9th) but struggles with free throws allowed (70.11%, ranked 146th). They allow an average of 30.99% of three-pointers and average 34.30 defensive rebounds per game. Overall, Utah ranks highly in various offensive and defensive categories, making them a formidable opponent in the upcoming matchup.

Iowa Hawkeyes Analysis

Following a dominant 104-57 victory over New Orleans, the Iowa Hawkeyes are feeling confident about their offense, especially after bouncing back from two consecutive defeats. With an average of 87.2 points per game, the team's scoring prowess is their strong suit, led by Owen Freeman's 17.2 points per game. They have impressive shooting percentages of 49.9% from the field, 38.2% from three-point range, and 67.8% from the free-throw line. Additionally, the team averages 9.5 offensive rebounds and 10.1 turnovers per game. However, their defense has been a concern, allowing an average of 73.3 points per game and struggling to limit opponents' field goal percentage. Despite this, the Hawkeyes are set to face the Utes next, looking to continue their offensive success and improve their defensive performance.

Utah's Defensive Prowess Key to Victory Against Iowa in High-Scoring Matchup

The key factor in this matchup between Utah and Iowa is the prowess of Utah's defense, which has consistently limited opponents to under 75 points throughout the season. This defensive strength sets the Utes apart in what promises to be a high-scoring game. With a strong presence on the boards, Utah is poised to secure more scoring opportunities and capitalize on them efficiently. Ultimately, it is likely that Utah will emerge victorious both in the game itself and in terms of covering the spread.

Sources: [ 2 ]