Utah Running Utes vs
Butler BulldogsPredictions & Preview

Butler Bulldogs Favored Against Utah Utes in CBC Tournament First Round Matchup at MGM Grand Garden Arena

The Utah Utes (16-16) will be facing off against the Butler Bulldogs (14-19) in the first round of the College Basketball Crown (CBC) tournament at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The CBC tournament is a new 16-team tournament with connections to the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East conferences through Fox Sports. The top four teams in the tournament will receive NIL packages, with the winning team's package valued at $300,000. Butler is the current betting favorite opening at -1, with the line remaining steady. Stay tuned for Monday's college basketball matchup between Utah and Butler.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Running Utes -102 | Bulldogs -118
• Spread: Running Utes +1 (-110) | Bulldogs -1 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 155.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Butler will win straight-up is 54%.

Utah vs Butler Stats

Utah Running Utes

Utah has had a challenging season, with a disappointing finish in the Big 12 Tournament. They have lost five of their last six games and are currently on a three-game losing streak. According to KenPom, they are ranked 76th overall, with 83rd in adjusted defensive efficiency and 84th on offense. The team has faced tough competition, going 2-9 against NCAA Tournament teams. In Big 12 regular season play, they finished 8-12. Leading scorer Gabe Maden averages 15.1 points per game, with only one other player averaging double figures. Utah has a power ranking of 137 and is ranked 138 in offense and 193 in defense. Offensively, they shoot 44.57% from the field and 63.91% from the free-throw line. Defensively, they allow 41.95% of field goals and 70.22% of free throws. The team averages 39.81 rebounds per game and has strong offensive and defensive assist numbers. Overall, Utah has shown areas of strength and weaknesses throughout the season.

Butler Bulldogs Analysis

Despite a challenging season, Butler Bulldogs have managed to secure a spot in the postseason. They had a rough stretch where they lost nine consecutive games, but faced tough competition from NCAA Tournament teams. They finished with a 6-14 record in the Big East and went 1-13 against NCAA Tournament teams. Despite their record, they are ranked 75th in KenPom, with a strong offense led by three double-digit scorers. On defense, they have areas to improve and will need to step up in the postseason. Despite their low power ranking of 325, Butler has shown resilience and will look to make an impact in the upcoming games.

Butler's Offensive Prowess Gives Them Edge Over Utah in Neutral Court Showdown

This upcoming game between two teams with extended breaks from disappointing prior seasons, taking place on a neutral court, promises to be an equally matched contest. The statistics suggest that Butler may have the upper hand due to their superior offensive capabilities. Butler's impressive rankings in three-point shooting (38th nationally) and free throw shooting (94th) stand out when compared to Utah's significantly lower rankings of 230th and 357th, respectively. According to BartTorvik, Butler is also favored in neutral site games, with a ranking of 65th compared to Utah's 106th. Additionally, Butler has a stronger track record in neutral site or road games, with a 5-11 straight up record, significantly outperforming Utah's 1-12 record in similar settings.

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