The Oregon Ducks (10-3) will attempt to lengthen their five-game winning streak against the Utah Runnin’ Utes (8-3) at Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon opened as a 9.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 149 points. Action starts at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, 2017.
Utah Runnin’ Utes vs. Oregon Ducks Betting Preview
,The Runnin’ Utes easily got past the Northwestern State Demons in their last game, 84-62. Justin Bibbins was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Utah played a nearly flawless game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.270 (above their season average of 0.260) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.532 (below their season average of 0.536). For those same stats, Northwestern State recorded marks of 0.127 and 0.373, respectively.
In the Ducks last game, they defeated the Central Arkansas Bears, 96-82. Oregon rallied around Payton Pritchard, who was the teams high scorer with 24 points on 7-for-11 shooting. Oregon dominated every stat category in the game. They had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 34.6 (above their season average of 33.1) and a free throw rate of 0.207 (matching their season average). Central Arkansas had marks of 24.2 and 0.145, respectively, for those same stats.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Oregon takes on the stingy defense of Utah. The Ducks rank 42nd in offensive efficiency, while the Runnin’ Utes are 54th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, put-back points figure to be rare for the Runnin’ Utes. They rank 279th in the NCAA in offensive rebounding percentage at 25.9 percent, while the Ducks are 44th-best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 75.2 percent).
These two teams are complete opposites in terms of the O/U total. Games involving Utah have finished under 55.6 percent of the time, while Oregon games have finished over 63.6 percent of the time. Both teams have solid straight up (SU) records (8-3 for Utah; 10-3 for Oregon), but the Runnin’ Utes have the edge against the spread (ATS). Utah is 5-4 ATS, while the Ducks are 5-7.
Troy Brown has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Oregon, averaging 11.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
This is the first time these teams will clash this year, after the Ducks won both contests last season. In the most recent contest, Oregon won 79-61. One of Oregon’s biggest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 10-11 (90.9 percent), while the Runnin’ Utes were just 6-11 (54.5 percent).
Utah Runnin’ Utes at Oregon Ducks Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Oregon, ATS Winner – Oregon, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Ducks rank 42nd in assists per game (16.6) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 71st (15.7).
- Oregon ranks 103rd in steals per game (6.5) while Utah ranks 128th in steals allowed per game (6.9).
- Utah is 1-3 ATS on the road with 2 overs and 2 unders.
- At home, Oregon is 4-4 ATS with 5 overs and 2 unders.
- Utah ranks 55th in three pointers attempted per game (25.3) while Oregon ranks 175th in three pointers allowed per game (23.5).
- The Ducks rank 37th in rebounds allowed per game (31.6) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 126th (34.6).
- Oregon ranks 15th in blocks per game (6.1) while Utah ranks 86th (3.8).
Bettings Trends:
- Oregon is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Utah is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push.
- The Ducks average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.6, down from 14.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Runnin’ Utes have scored an average of 75.0 points per game (2.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.4 points per game (1.5 above their season average).
