It is just a thought. I am not sure if I put my money on this game for right now...
I've seen Utah vs. Arizona St, Oregon, Oregon St, and UCLA at UCLA.
Utah scored so many points at home!! 83 (vs. Arizona St), 76 (California), 75 (Stanford), 77 (Washington), 86 (Washington St.), 74 (Colorado), 71 (UCLA), 79 (USC).
So will they??
I doubt it. They were exposed when they faced Oregon at Oregon and Arizona at Arizona. They only scored 59 and 51 respectively when they faced good defensive teams.
Now technically, this is the first time when they face a good defensive team at home.
Arizona's defense against three pointers are very good, but first time when Utah played Arizona, they shot 47.4% from three point line.
Arizona won't let that happen this time, I believe. (Even with that great three point performance, Utah lost the first game).
Utah usually doesn't produce points off offensive rebounds. They produce points by driving, post plays, and three pointers.
Arizona defense is really good at stopping those three things. Arizona is so good at securing defensive rebounds as well.
Both teams are incredibly good defensive teams, and their defenses are on fire.
They have seen each other already, but a while ago.
And, not much of traveling for Arizona, and this is the back-to-back home game for Utah.
Utah is not so resilient. When they are down, they won't come back. But will they if they play at home?? I don't know...
But I believe they have to take a lead from the beginning and tighten up the defense to win this game.
I see this game as a low scoring game (60-58, 57-54, 58-49) and I think this game is going to be like Utah vs. Oregon (58-69), Utah vs. UCLA (69-59), Arizona vs. UCLA (57-47) type games.
Over/Under is set at 125 right now in my book, and the fact that UCLA and Oregon scored 69 points (although they were away game) scares me to bet on Under, but I am leaning to Under.
Arizona is way better than UCLA and Oregon in the offensive end. Arizona may score 69... Utah may hold them down to 50 or even below...
I also lean to Arizona. But this is a college basketball, and Utah has already lost. They want this game, they need this game. But other than these motivational factors and situational factors (back-to-back home, HOME game, revenge angle), Arizona is surely a better team.