The BYU Cougars and Utah Utes continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. central on ESPN+. Both the Cougars (11-5, 2-3 in Big 12) and the Utes (10-6, 2-3 in Big 12) are unranked.
Saturday’s matchup features two teams coming off wins. Utah pulled out back-to-back wins with the ladder coming in the form of a 73-65 win over the TCU Horned Frogs. Meantime, BYU is fresh off of a win at home at the Marriott Center against Oklahoma State.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch BYU vs. Utah Basketball
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN+
Site: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
BYU vs. Utah Basketball Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: BYU -1
Current Line: BYU -1
Over/Under: 151
BYU vs. Utah Basketball Predictions
The Holy War is one of the Big 12’s best rivalries, which always makes for great television. In 2024-25, the teams are eerily similar, at least in the stat sheet. The difference in overall record is just one game, with the Cougars sitting at 11-5 and the Utes at 10-6. They also have very similar scoring offenses and defenses, with the pair listed at No. 5 and No. 6 (Big 12) in scoring offense and No. 7 and No. 11 in scoring defense.
An even mix of production leads the Cougars from a cast of five different athletes. Richie Saunders, Egor Demin, Trevin Knell, Fousseyni Traore, and Kanon Catchings are scoring 53.7 points per game, with all five scoring more than nine points per game. Under first-year head coach Kevin Young, BYU has had some setbacks in their first five conference games, but are starting to click more with every passing week.
On the other side of the court, the Utah Utes had a tough start to league play, dropping three straight games to No. 25 Baylor, Texas Tech, and No. 2 Iowa State. Since then, they’ve recorded back-to-back wins against Oklahoma State and TCU, and are now looking to make it three against their in-state rival. Utah is led by four athletes scoring in double figures, including Gabe Madsen, Lawson Lovering, Mason Madsen, and Ezra Ausar.
BYU 69, Utah 63
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Utah (51.1% Chance of Winning)
