Utah vs Colorado Predictions, Picks, and Odds: Buffs Have Right Stuff

March Madness odds continue to evolve in the nightcap of the second round of the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas on Thursday as the No. 6 Utah Utes (19-13, 9-11 Pac-12) face the No. 3 Colorado Buffaloes (22-9, 13-7).

The Runnin’ Utes strengthened their conference tournament odds, demolishing No. 11 seed Arizona State in the opening round by a final score of 90-57. 

Colorado eagerly awaits after sitting idle with a first-round bye. The two teams split the regular season meetings with the home team winning each time, setting the stage for a scintillating Pac-12 Tournament bracket clash. 

According to college basketball odds, the Buffaloes are expected to advance as 3.5-point favorites while the total has been set at 153.5.

Tad Boyle’s squad could use a win or two to feel better about hearing its name called on Selection Sunday. Will the Buffs strengthen their case? Check out my college basketball picks and predictions for Utah vs. Colorado on Thursday, March 14.

Utah vs Colorado best odds

Utah vs Colorado picks and predictions

The No. 6 seed Utah Utes were a bubble team for much of the season, but that dream seems to have died after Craig Smith’s squad finished with a losing record in an underwhelming Pac-12 Conference. They’ll need to pull off the improbable feat of winning four games in four days to go dancing. 

The team has battled through adversity, losing starting point guard Rollie Worster midway through the conference schedule but adjusting on the fly, with Deivon Smith transforming into a college basketball version of Russell Westbrook. They’ll need to adjust once again as star forward Branden Carlson (17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds per game) is playing through a left arm injury. 

He laced them up in the first round after leaving injured early in the second half of the regular-season finale. His team didn’t need his services much in a blowout win, but he did look somewhat hampered with a bulky sleeve on his left elbow. 

Next up is the No. 3 seed Colorado Buffaloes. Tad Boyle’s squad is currently listed as a No. 11 seed on Bracket Matrix, so they could certainly use a few wins to feel slightly more comfortable come Selection Sunday. 

That’s despite the Buffs ranking 20th overall in KenPom and featuring two of the best players in the conference in KJ Simpson and Tristan Da Silva, who combine to average 35.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. 

They’re joined by a likely NBA Draft lottery pick in freshman Cody Williams (13.7 ppg). He missed 13 games this season overall and four straight to close the year. After practicing for the first time in three weeks, Williams said on Tuesday that he’s “back”. That’s a huge boost for Boyle and his team, as Williams brings as special level of athleticism, length, and defense, all while being an efficient offensive player. 

This is an interesting matchup in that both teams have a strong home-court advantage but have been less effective away from their gym. Utah is just 6-10 ATS away from Salt Lake City while Colorado is 5-9 ATS away from Boulder. What gives?

The Buffs seem slightly underrated heading into the tournament. They’re being discussed as a bubble team despite winning 22 games and sporting two star players and one of the best freshmen in the country. They enter Las Vegas with something to prove and are on a roll with six straight wins to close the year, during which they posted a 4-2 ATS record. 

Utah’s opening-round win over Arizona State by a score of 90-57 certainly looked impressive, but keep in mind that the Sun Devils aren’t good at basketball and had a key player quit the team before the regular season finale to go play professionally in the Dominican Republic. If that isn’t the sign of a team packing it in, I don’t know what it is. 

The Runnin’ Utes have been stuck in the mud on the road, losing nine of their last 10 games away from home. That includes a 12-point loss to Arizona State, a 25-point loss to Washington, a seven-point loss to lowly Oregon State, and a 24-point loss to these very same Buffaloes. Take your pick, that’s gross. The lone win was a nail-biter too, as Carlson tipped one in at the buzzer for a one-point win over UCLA.

I’ll take the superior team laying just over a field goal.

My best bet: Colorado -3.5 (-112 at DraftKings)

Utah vs Colorado same-game parlay

Colorado -3.5

Over 153.5

Bonus bet promo available

+240 at DraftKings

The Runnin’ Utes earn their nickname, ranking 59th in KenPom’s adjusted tempo metric. With the lightning-quick Deivon Smith leading the way, Utah should look to pump up the pace if it hopes to pull off the minor upset. T-Mobile Arena is a friendly venue for shooters and Utah has three good ones in Gabe Madsen, Cole Bajema, and Carlson. 

I still have some questions about Carlson’s health entering this contest — especially on the defensive end. He averaged 1.5 blocks per game and usually has a presence in the paint, but it’s to be determined if he’ll be at 100% when dealing with physicality. Arizona State has no post game or inside presence to speak of, so it wasn’t tested last night when Carlson played just 19 minutes. 

I love Colorado’s offensive profile because the Buffs are terrific shooters (40% from 3-point range) without hucking up bad shots. Rather, they’re methodical in their approach and look to find easy looks, ranking first in Haslametric’s near-proximity attempt rate and seventh in percentage of shots taken at the rim (48.5% per Hoop-Math). 

Combine that with a strong showing at the line (77.7% — 17th nationally) and a prolific performance on the boards (56.1% rebounding percentage — fifth nationally), and you have the makings of a beautiful profile.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Utah vs Colorado spread and Over/Under analysis

Colorado opened at -3.5 but has moved to -4 in some spots. I wouldn’t be surprised if that movement continues, considering the Buffs are a bit of an analytical darling. That being said, these teams are still of approximately the same caliber, and it’d be a surprise to see a large fluctuation. Be sure to track any further changes in the number using our college basketball line movement tool. 

Neither team has been particularly profitable to back this season. Utah is 16-16 ATS while Colorado is 15-16 ATS. The teams split the regular season matchups with the winner covering the spread each time (Colorado -7 and Utah -3, respectively). They’ve also split at 5-5 ATS across the last 10 meetings with one another. 

The total is set at 152.5 at some books and 153.5 at others, so be sure to shop around before placing your wager. T-Mobile is typically a venue that shooters enjoy, which makes it hard for me to consider an Under unless the handicap screams it or the number is way out of line, which isn’t the case here. 

The first matchup went Under the total of 150.5, while the second went over the total of 153.5. These teams are 6-4 O/U across the last 10 meetings. 

Colorado has trended to the Over with a 10-4 O/U in its last 14 games and Utah has as well with a 5-2 O/U mark in its last seven. 

Utah vs Colorado betting trend to know

Utah is 1-9 straight up in its last 10 games played away from home. Find more college basketball betting trends for Utah vs. Colorado.

Utah vs Colorado game info

Utah vs Colorado key injuries

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic