Utah U vs. Byu free pick

Matt Fargo
NCAA-B | Feb 28
Utah U vs. Byu -6-110

This is a big spot for BYU as heading into this week, it trails first place Utah by two games with only two remaining following this one. If the Cougars can win out, they are still in the running for the MWC regular season championship but will definitely need some help along the way. The rest of their schedule is fairly easy while the Utes are coming off a tough home with over UNLV on Wednesday and then have to go to New Mexico three days after this one that could potentially decide the regular season title. This two-game deficit can be mostly blamed on one game and that was a loss in Utah that came in overtime back no January 27th. That was the first loss in the last five meetings against the hated rival and BYU will be out for some payback. The Cougars had every chance to win that game as they shot 50.8 percent from the field, but were outscored 31-13 at the free-throw line. That is some definite home cooking that took place and BYU will most likely be getting those calls on its home floor. The Cougars have been outshot at the free throw line on the road by 44 attempts while outshooting foes by 20 attempts at home. After losing home games against Wake Forest and UNLV, the first snapping a 52-game home court winning streak, the Cougars have won four straight at home with the last three coming by an average of 23 ppg. Despite the two losses, this is still the most feared venue in the conference for opponents. We all know that this is a huge rivalry in football but the basketball version is just as fierce and the Cougars desperately want some revenge. A loss here would not only eliminate them from the regular season title but it would also put a damper on a possible third straight at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. Utah has been a very good team on the road this season but its four road wins within the conference came at Air Force, TCU, Wyoming and Colorado St., who happen to be the four worse teams in the Mountain West with a combined record of 14-38. To no surprise, the two road losses came against UNLV and San Diego St., in the top half of the conference with BYU and those two setbacks came by 10 and nine points. Through games of February 22, BYU ranked first in the nation in field-goal percentage at 50.6 percent. UCLA, which is at 50.3 percent, is the only other team shooting better than 50 percent. Overall, the Cougars have a +13.6 edge in efficiency numbers. Utah normally has a clear edge inside but that is not the case here as the Utes are +5.4 rpg in margin while BYU is +4.2 rpg in margin so the difference is minimal. A variance that is not minimal comes in the ever important assist/turnover ratio category. The Cougars have a healthy ratio of 1.46 while Utah is at 1.02 which is barely above breakeven and pretty unimpressive if you ask me. BYU is 20-8 ATS in its last 28 games against teams that slow the pace, averaging 53 or fewer shots per game. The Cougars are also 18-8 ATS in their last 26 games coming off a double-digit win in the conference and they are 11-3 ATS coming off a road conference win over the last three years. Look for BYU to dominate once again on its home floor and avenge that earlier loss to the Utes in a big way. 3* BYU Cougars

Last Saturday, Fargo had a MONSTER day as his hoops reports went 5-2 and he is out to top that this week! His MASSIVE Saturday CBB card is highlighted by his BIGGEST RELEASE THIS YEAR! He is 6-3 ATS (66.7%) with his last nine 10* Hoops Reports (incl.

Click here to get Matt's WC GOY Winner Monday) and extends it Saturday with THE NCAA GAME OF THE YEAR! Cash the biggest ticket of the year!

[Shame About Ray]

Fargo has been in the zone lately. I'm following him on this one...