Utah Runnin' Utes vs Houston Cougars NCAAB Betting Prediction

Utah Runnin’ Utes vs Houston Cougars Prediction 1/22/2025

The Utah Runnin’ Utes (11-6) travel to face off against the Houston Cougars (14-3) on Wednesday, January 22nd. This game will be played at Fertitta Center in Houston and televised on ESPN+. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 6:00 ET.

Utah Runnin’ Utes vs Houston Cougars

The Runnin’ Utes Are Coming Off A Win

Utah Runnin’ Utes Recent Game/Games

Utah improved to 11-6 on the season with a narrow 73-72 win over BYU on Saturday. The Utes, who were +1 underdogs, not only pulled off the win but also covered the spread.

After trailing 30-27 at halftime, Utah outscored BYU 37-34 in the second half. The game’s total points of 145 fell short of the 151.5 O/U line.

The Cougars Are Coming Off A Win

Houston Cougars Recent Game/Games

The Cougars improved to 14-3 on the season with a narrow 69-68 win over UCF on Saturday. Despite being -13.5 favorites, Houston didn’t cover the spread, and the game’s total points of 137 fell just under the O/U line of 138.5.

Houston trailed 38-30 at halftime but turned things around in the second half, outscoring UCF 39-30 to secure the win on the road.

Runnin’ Utes Offense Breakdown

In their last game, the Runnin’ Utes put up 73 points, shooting 44.6% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 50%, with a strong performance inside, hitting 57.6% of their two-point attempts. However, they struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 26.1% of their threes.

At the free-throw line, Utah shot 53.1%, and they grabbed 9 offensive rebounds. Ezra Ausar led the way with 26 points, shooting 73.3% from the field. Richie Saunders and Fousseyni Traore each added 16 points, with Traore shooting 61.5% overall.

Cougars Offense Breakdown

In their last game, the Cougars put up 69 points, shooting 42% from the field and 18.8% from beyond the arc, hitting just 3 of 16 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.5%, and they made 8 of 11 free throws, good for 72.7%.

J’Wan Roberts led the way with 21 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 58.8% from the floor. Moustapha Thiam added 18 points, hitting 7 of 10 shots, including 1 of 2 from three-point range. Ja’Vier Francis contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, making 5 of 6 shots.

Runnin’ Utes Team Defense

Even with Utah giving up 72 points, their defense managed to limit their opponent’s three-point shooting, holding them to just 6 made threes on 23 attempts, a 26% success rate. The Utes also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 32 times, but they only converted 17 of those attempts, shooting 53% from the stripe.

Inside the arc, Utah’s defense allowed 19 two-point baskets on 33 attempts, with their opponent shooting 57% on those shots. The Utes also gave up 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Cougars Team Defense

Utah’s defense gave up 72 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field. They allowed 19 two-point baskets on 33 attempts, a 57% success rate.

From beyond the arc, Utah held their opponent to 6 threes on 23 attempts, a 26% shooting percentage. The other team also struggled from the free-throw line, hitting just 17 of 32 attempts, or 53%.

Runnin’ Utes vs Cougars Trends

  • Although Utah has a straight up record of 1-2 in their last three road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 62 points per game in these games.
  • Across their last three home contests, Houston has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 3-0, while averaging 72 points per game.
  • Through their last three games as the underdog, the Runnin’ Utes have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
  • Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Cougars have a straight up record of 10-0. Their record vs the spread in these games was 6-3-1.

Runnin’ Utes vs Cougars Prediction

For a pick on the point-spread in this Cougars vs. Runnin’ Utes matchup, our bet is to grab the Runnin’ Utes at +17.5. Even though our projections have the Cougars winning 79-67, we see the Runnin’ Utes as the play on the point-spread.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 133.5, and our model predicts the Runnin’ Utes and Cougars to score a combined 146 points. We recommend betting on the over.


All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!


* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.