Utah Running Utes vs
Cincinnati BearcatsPredictions & Preview

Cincinnati Bearcats Ready to Extend Winning Streak Against Utah, Defense Key to Victory - Big 12 Matchup News

In this upcoming matchup between Utah and Cincinnati, both teams are looking to improve their standings in the Big 12. Utah previously defeated Cincinnati by three points at home earlier in the season. After a recent loss to West Virginia, Utah will be looking to bounce back and cover the spread. On the other hand, Cincinnati is coming off a solid win against BYU as slight favorites. With Cincinnati opening as the favorite at -9, the betting line has remained stable. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 EST. Stay updated for our prediction on this game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Running Utes +300 | Bearcats -380
• Spread: Running Utes +9 (-110) | Bearcats -9 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 140 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Cincinnati will win straight-up is 79%.

Utah vs Cincinnati Stats

Utah Running Utes

The Utah Utes recently traveled to the Midwest for consecutive road games against West Virginia and Cincinnati, resulting in a loss to West Virginia and their third consecutive road loss. However, they did secure wins over Colorado and Cincinnati when they played them at home. Keanu Dawes, a sophomore forward, stood out in the West Virginia game with 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Gabe Madsen is the team's top scorer and outside shooter, averaging 14.7 PPG, while Ezra Ausar contributes 11.1 PPG on the inside. The team is currently ranked 85th overall according to KenPom, with a power ranking of 287. Offensively, they shoot 46.02% from the field and 33.75% from beyond the arc, with solid rebounding and assist numbers. Defensively, they allow 40.33% shooting from the field and 32.13% from three-point range, with average free throw defense. Despite their efforts, they are not currently projected to make the NCAA Tournament.

Cincinnati Bearcats Analysis

The Cincinnati Bearcats are currently on a winning streak, with consecutive victories over UCF and BYU, bringing their conference record to 4-8. Despite being a long shot for the NCAA Tournament, a series of impressive wins could potentially sway the committee's opinion. The team is led by Jizzle James, a 6'3 sophomore guard averaging 11.1 PPG and 3.9 APG. Simas Lukosius, a 6'8 junior forward, is the team's top scorer with 11.5 PPG and 3.2 RPG, while Dillon Mitchell contributes 10.5 PPG and 6.4 RPG. The team ranks 53rd overall in KenPom rankings, with strong defensive efficiency at 19th. Cincinnati has a power ranking of 269 with an offensive scoring average of 71.05 points per game. They shoot 44.93% from the field, 31.67% from three-point range, and 65.45% from the free-throw line. On defense, they allow opponents to shoot 41.23% from the field, 31.01% from three-point range, and 75.70% from the free-throw line. Despite a slower pace of play compared to Utah, Cincinnati will need to continue their winning ways to improve their chances of making the Tournament.

Cincinnati Bearcats Ready to Extend Winning Streak Against Utah, Defense Key to Victory

The Cincinnati Bearcats enter this upcoming game with strong momentum, having secured victories in their previous two matchups. On the other hand, Utah has faced challenges on the road, suffering losses in their last three away games. Cincinnati's defense stands out as the superior unit in this game, ranking 19th in the nation for defensive efficiency. With the support of their home crowd, the Bearcats are focused on another crucial win to bolster their position in tournament discussions. In their recent game against BYU, Cincinnati limited their opponents to just 66 points, showcasing the prowess of their 7'0 senior center Aziz Bandaogo in protecting the rim. Bandaogo and Mitchell are expected to effectively defend against Utah's offensive strategies, potentially forcing them to rely heavily on long-range shooting. While Utah's Madsen is a skilled shooter, his recent performance yielded only seven points in the last game. Cincinnati is poised for a strong performance to avenge their previous loss to Utah at home. Anticipate Cincinnati to cover the spread in this match.

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