Utah State vs. Santa Clara Prediction: Can Adama Bal, Broncos Bounce Back?
The Utah State Aggies are in Santa Clara taking on the Broncos to end Wednesday's college basketball slate. Can Adama Bal and the Broncos bounce back? Krabs answers.SCU +1.5
Krabs - December 13, 2023, 4:30 PM EST
7 minUtah State vs. Santa Clara Prediction: Can Adama Bal, Broncos Bounce Back?
It’s been an incredible start to the season for the Utes, who's only loss of the season came at Bradley in overtime in the first game of the season. Utah State has since won eight straight games. Will they keep their streak alive on the road tonight against Santa Clara?
Utah State vs. Santa Clara Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: December 13, 2023
- Time: 10:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN+
Utah State vs. Santa Clara Prediction
Tonight’s matchup for Utah State couldn’t be worse. The Broncos have plenty of size to match up with Osobor and Agbonkpolo in the paint. Christoph Tilly might be coming off his worst game of the season against New Mexico, but his 7’0” stature will cause problems for the Utes down low.
Santa Clara struggles to defend the three, but it’s a good thing Utah State doesn’t shoot it well. The Utes rank 296th in three-point percentage this season. They like to work the ball inside, which will be tough against Tilly, O’Neil and Caffaro down low.
The Broncos enter this game on a three-game losing streak. They’ve allowed at least 84 points per game in all three of those loses. With the way that Utah States plays, Santa Clara has a prime matchup to get right at home, ending their losing streak.
Utah State isn’t going to try to run the tempo. If anything, Santa Clara’s dynamic duo of Bal and Marshall Jr. will try to push the pace. Marshall Jr. is coming off a goose-egg performance where he turned the ball over seven times and couldn’t even score. Expect the senior sharpshooter to bounce back in a big way against a soft Utah State perimeter defense.
This line opened up at Santa Clara +4 before the Broncos got steamed down to almost a Pick ‘Em. Let’s hope they play star transfer Jalen Benjamin from Mount St. Mary’s a little more tonight instead of running lineups with two centers like they were experimenting with last week. Back the Broncos at home on the spread to bounce back after three straight losses.
Utah State vs. Santa Clara Pick
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