Offense meets defense when the Eastern Washington Eagles (3-3) visit Utah to take on the Runnin Utes (4-1). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 146.5 points with Utah set as a 14.5-point favorite. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 24, 2017, and it can be seen on Pac-12 Network.
Eastern Washington Eagles vs. Utah Runnin Utes Betting Preview
The Eagles won big over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in their last outing, 83-62. With 13 points and five assists, Bogdan Bliznyuk had a solid game for Eastern Washington. The Eagles forced 18 turnovers and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.525 (above their season average of 0.459).
The last time the Runnin Utes played, they were blown out by the UNLV Runnin Rebels, 85-58. Donnie Tillman was Utahs leading scorer with 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting. UNLV held the Runnin Utes to an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.8 (below their season average of 32.6). Utah, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (15.0 vs. 17.2).
Utah could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their prolific offense squares off against one of the NCAAs worst defenses. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Runnin Utes rank 55th in offensive efficiency, while Eastern Washington ranks 278th in defensive efficiency. Also, second chance points could be few and far between for the Eagles. They rank 260th in the NCAA in offensive rebounding percentage at 27.3 percent, while the Runnin Utes have been 14th-best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 75.6 percent).
Both of these teams have a tendency to finish under the O/U total. Games including Eastern Washington have finished under 60.0 percent of the time, while 66.7 percent of Utah games have gone under. The Runnin Utes come into this game with a significant advantage in terms of straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 4-1 SU and 2-1 ATS, while the Eagles are 3-3 SU and 2-3 ATS.
Eastern Washington Eagles vs. Utah Runnin Utes ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Utah, ATS Winner – Eastern Washington, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Eagles rank 35th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Runnin Utes rank 110th (3.2).
- Utah ranks 79th in assists per game (14.9) while Eastern Washington ranks 237th (12.3).
- The Runnin Utes rank 26th in rebounds allowed per game (31.8) while the Eagles rank 142nd (34.7).
- Utah ranks 194th in steals per game (5.8) while Eastern Washington ranks 289th (4.5).
