The Utah Runnin’ Utes (8-2) meet the No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats (8-1) at T-Mobile Arena. The game starts at 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, and will air on ESPN2.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes ATS Prediction
The Wildcats come in on a high note after beating the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their last outing, 67-53. The Wildcats knocked down 15 of their 18 free throws (83.3 percent) and held the Yellow Jackets to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.8 (below their season average of 26.1). With 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting, Ashton Hagans was the game’s leading scorer.
The last time the Runnin’ Utes played, they were victorious over the Weber State Wildcats, 60-49. The Runnin’ Utes made 15 of their 19 free throws (78.9 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 42.5 (above their season average of 28.2). Timmy Allen was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 6-for-15 shooting from the field.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s top offenses go head-to-head. Since last season, Utah ranks 13th with 113.0 points per 100 possessions and Kentucky is 33rd (113.0). Also, the Wildcats have been among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 23rd in offensive rebounding percentage (35.7 percent). The Runnin’ Utes, meanwhile, rank 48th at securing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 73.7 percent.
The Wildcats won the lone contest against the Runnin’ Utes last season, 88-61. The Wildcats had a much better turnover percentage (8.7 vs. 23.8) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.690 vs. 0.509).
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes ATS Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Kentucky, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Utah ranks 122nd in three pointers attempted per game (25.2) while Kentucky ranks 270th (16.2).
The Wildcats rank 32nd in blocks per game (4.7) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 113th (2.7).
Utah ranks 27th in assists per game (14.7) while Kentucky ranks 95th (13.9).
The Wildcats rank 10th in rebounds allowed per game (29.3) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 62nd (32.4).
Kentucky ranks 41st in steals allowed per game (5.5) while Utah ranks 84th (6.0).