Utah vs Oregon Picks and Odds (Jan 1)

• Oregon is a six-point home favorite over Utah on Saturday night
• Oregon has won 16 of its last 17 games against Utah
• A look at the matchup and odds can be found below

Oregon hopes to notch its first Pac-12 win of the season when it hosts Utah at 10:30pm ET Saturday at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene.

Oregon (7-6, 0-2 Pac-12, 6-2 home) is at the bottom of the conference standings in the early going. The Ducks, though, have won two of their last three games, including beating visiting Pepperdine 68-59 on Dec. 21 in their previous outing.

Utah (8-5, 1-2 Pac-12, 0-3 road) has alternated losses and wins in its last seven games. The Utes lost at Oregon State 88-76 on Thursday night.

In a game that will be televised by the Pac-12 Network, Oregon is favored.

Utah vs Oregon Odds

Odds as of January 1st at FanDuel.

Utah Outlook

The Utes have been up-and-down in coach Craig Smith’s first season after arriving from Utah State.

However, junior center Branden Carlson has consistently put together good efforts. One of just two holdovers from last season’s rotation, Carlson is averaging 13.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots a game.

They call him @ballerbranden35 for a reason! 🏀

Branden Carlson dominated on both ends of the floor for @UtahMBB with a 15-point, 10-rebound, 8-block performance vs. Stanford.

He's the #Pac12Hoops Freshman of the Week: https://t.co/RKWBHiPylx pic.twitter.com/8TcEgv3rwc

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) February 10, 2020

Carlson scored just nine points against Oregon State on 3-of-10 shooting after missing the previous two games while in COVID-19 protocols. However, he contributed nine rebounds in 24 minutes.

Senior guard David Jenkins Jr led Utah with 22 points and made 5-of-8 three-point field goal attempts. The UNLV transfer has a 12.7 scoring average and made 37 of Utah’s 104 three-pointers.

Utah’s other double-digit scorer is senior guard Both Gach at 11.9 points a game.

Gach’s career has come full circle. He played his first two collegiate seasons at Utah, transferred to Minnesota for the 2020-21 season then returned to the Utes after Larry Krystkowiak was fired as coach.

RUN IT BACK! #Goutes pic.twitter.com/qtCrTcpgFa

— Both Gach (@TutBoth) June 3, 2021

Senior guard Marco Anthony, who followed Smith from Utah State, added 10 points Thursday. Anthony has reached double figures in three of the last four games after doing so only once in his first seven games.

Utah led for just 11 seconds, committed 20 turnovers and were outscored 40-24 in the paint. The Utes also allowed Oregon State to shoot 55.7% (34-of-61) and make half its three-point attempts (6-of-12).

Carlson’s three capped a 13-5 run to start the second half and draw Utah within one at 52-51 with 16:33 left. However, Oregon State regained control with an 11-3 spurt.

Oregon Outlook

Senior guard Will Richardson has provided a veteran presence as well as production for Oregon.

Richardson leads the team in scoring at 12.7 points a game. He also is averaging 3.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds.

Here am I, the Will Richardson apologist.

Love how how active he is here on defense, then makes the right play to get a "hockey" assist for the open 3.

🥁 pic.twitter.com/D9SWkQ1wfc

— Stephen Gillaspie (@StephenGHoops) November 11, 2021

Against Pepperdine, Richardson was one off his season best when he scored 19 points while hitting double digits for the sixth time in seven games. He also handed out seven assists.

Senior guard Jacob Young added 10 points and six rebounds. The Rutgers transfer has a 9.2 scoring average.

Another transfer, junior forward Quincy Guerrier, finished with nine points, nine rebounds and three assists. His three-pointer with 1:18 left pushed the Ducks’ lead to 64-55.

Junior guard De’Vion Harmon sealed the victory by making four free throws in the final minute. Harmon has a 10.1 scoring average.

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De’Vion Harmon has been named to the 2022 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award watch list.

More ➡️ https://t.co/2myRIJ05CN#GoDucks x #AlwaysUs pic.twitter.com/G68MLxrMyI

— Oregon Men's Basketball (@OregonMBB) October 19, 2021

Oregon won despite making just 4-of-18 (22.2%) shots from beyond the arc and turning the ball over 15 times. However, the Ducks forced 18 turnovers while holding Pepperdine to 35.4% (23-of-65) from the floor and 19.2% (5- of-26) from distance.

The Ducks are 6-2 when they allow 70 points or less.

Utah vs Oregon Prediction

Oregon has dominated the series in recent years, winning seven straight games and 16 of 17.

Last season, the Ducks won 79-73 on the road then 67-64 in Eugene. The Utes lost the second game despite getting 13 points and nine rebounds from Carlson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvl1dtTRYQs

Oregon might be a little rusty after not playing in over a week. However, history suggests the Ducks are the play here.

• The Play: Oregon -6 (-110)