Utah vs Oregon State Picks and Prediction – 3/8/2024

The Utah Utes (18-11, 9-9 Pac-12) are set to face the Oregon State Beavers (12-17, 4-14 Pac-12) in a late-season Pacific-12 clash. Riding a wave of recent success, the Utes come off a dominating 88-59 victory over California. Meanwhile, Oregon State, struggling in the conference, narrowly lost to Oregon 78-71 in the latest outing. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

The Utah Utes have shown a commendable blend of offensive firepower and defensive strength this season. Averaging 78.6 points per game with a 46.6% shooting accuracy from the field places them in a solid position. Key player Branden Carlson leads the charge with 16.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, making him a pivotal figure in Utah's strategy. Deivon Smith, with his 6.5 assists per game, has been instrumental in orchestrating the offense. Despite free-throw struggles, Utah's ability to rebound aggressively, averaging 36.5 rebounds per game, gives them a significant edge.

Defensively, the Utes allow 72.8 points per game, indicating some vulnerabilities. However, the ability to limit opponents' shooting to 42.5% from the field shows defensive efficiency. Carlson also makes his presence felt on the defensive end, leading the team in blocks with 1.6 per game. Utah's recent victories over teams like Cal and Stanford, combined with a hard-fought win against UCLA, highlight the capacity to perform under pressure, making them a formidable opponent in the Pacific-12.

The Oregon State Beavers, despite challenges, have demonstrated moments of strong play this season. Jordan Pope stands out with an impressive 17.6 points per game, supported by Michael Rataj's team-high 6.0 rebounds per game. Pope's leadership extends to playmaking, where he also tops the assists chart with 3.4 per game. Shooting percentages, while not stellar, have been buoyed by contributions from players like Josiah Lake, who boasts a 56.0% field goal percentage.

Oregon State's defense, conceding an average of 72.4 points per game, finds itself in a delicate balance between aggression and discipline. With a 43.9% opponent shooting percentage, the Beavers have room for improvement in defensive stands.