Just a couple weeks ago, the Utes got the better of the Huskies up in Seattle and this time around they’ve got their home floor advantage to bank on. In their previous game, Utah got a 29-point performance from Jakob Poeltl to hand them the five point win in overtime.
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HOW THE WASHINGTON HUSKIES CAN COVER THE SPREAD
The Huskies certainly have the offense to cover the spread. They’re averaging 84.6 PPG to rank them seventh in the nation in all of college hoops. Washington’s shooting percentages are far more pedestrian than the team’s scoring average, but being ranked in the top-10 in rebounds has its perks.
Utah is a good rebounding team, too, but the Huskies have the edge and should be able to score plenty of points against a Utes’ defense that’s allowing nearly 70 PPG.
Despite losing their last time out, the Huskies are still 12-9 ATS and have covered the spread more times than not when on the road.
In terms of individual players, guards Andrew Andrews and Dejounte Murray are two of the biggest reasons the Huskies have a great shot at covering what will likely be an inflated spread.
Neither is shooting at a remarkably high rate, but Andrews goes for 20.6 PPG and Murray is averaging 15.3 while each have logged over 100 assists. For guards, they’re strong rebounders as well.
Inside, Marquese Chriss is shooting 55 percent from the floor. He’s got 12.4 PPG and is one of five players averaging at least eight PPG.
HOW THE UTAH UTES CAN COVER THE SPREAD
We’ve already seen the Utes beat the Huskies and that was in a far less favorable environment for them. With this game in the Huntsman Center, Utah should do even better.
Poeltl’s 29-points took care of business against the Huskies and the Utes will once again look to the seven-footer to take control of the court of Wednesday. Averaging 17.3 PPG, Poeltl is a tough obstacle for a comparatively undersized Huskies team.
The Huskies poor shooting leaves the door open for the Utes and with the height advantage they should hang in against the boards.
Shooting 48.7 percent from the floor, there’s no reason to expect anything less than an offensive explosion from Utah as they face a Washington team that’s allowing 80 PPG. Washington has given up less than 80-points just once in its last 12 games.
Poeltl is the headliner for this team for sure. He’s scoring 17.2 PPG and owns the team lead in rebounds with 8.8 per game and already has 35 blocks. He’s also shooting a staggering 65 percent from the floor.
Unlike the Huskies’ top scorer in Andrews, Poeltl can rack up the points even if his opportunities are limited.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Utes managed to score just 80-points in an overtime game against the Huskies dismal defense, but look for more on Wednesday. Utah possesses the height advantage and should be able to provide strong defense to keep the Huskies’ opportunities limited, particularly considering Utah’s rebounding might on the inside.
Poeltl himself won the game for Utah last time out, but look for fellow forwards Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Loveridge to join him in putting up numbers inside the paint.
On the outside, the Huskies have the edge with Andrews and Murray, but with their struggles shooting the ball, it doesn’t figure to be enough to keep the Huskies within range of the upset.
The Utes’ back-to-back losses both SU and ATS are concerning, but those happened on the road. At home, Utah scored 96-points last time out, and have covered the spread in their last two in the Huntsman Center against Stanford and Cal.
Utah 86, Washington 74
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The Washington Huskies and Utah Utes square off on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at 9 p.m. ET at the Jon. M. Huntsman Center. You can watch the game live on ESPN2.
