Utah Utes vs Colorado Buffaloes Picks Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The Utah Utes (8-6, 0-1 Big 12) face the Colorado Buffaloes (11-3, 1-0 Big 12) in a Big 12 matchup on Wednesday. Utah enters after a home loss to Arizona, while Colorado is coming off a road win at Arizona State. Both teams are early in conference play, with Utah still looking for a first Big 12 win and Colorado trying to build momentum after an inconsistent nonconference stretch. Make sure to read this in-depth Utah Utes vs Colorado Buffaloes prediction. Basketball glory awaits! Check out our top NCAAB picks for Utah Utes vs Colorado Buffaloes Picks prediction.
Utah Utes Searching for Defensive Stability
The Utah Utes enter this matchup with an 8-6 overall record and a 0-1 mark in Big 12 play. Utah averages 80.9 points per game while allowing 79.8 points, showing the Utes are capable of scoring but prone to defensive mistakes. In the most recent game, Utah lost at home to Arizona by a 97-78 score. That result followed a road loss at Washington and marked Utah’s third loss in the last four games. The Utes have alternated wins and losses over the last several weeks, with little consistency on either end of the floor.
Offensively, Utah is led by Terrence Brown, who leads the team at 21.8 points per game while also pacing the Utes in assists at 4.1 per contest. Brown plays heavy minutes and carries much of the scoring load, supported by Don McHenry at 18.1 points per game and Keanu Dawes at 12.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Utah shoots 47 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three, solid marks that allow the Utes to stay competitive. The issue has been the defense, as Utah gives up nearly 80 points per game and struggled to slow Arizona after halftime in the last outing.
Utah’s rebounding numbers sit at 35.6 per game, which places pressure on Dawes to control the glass. When Utah has been outworked inside, the results have often ended in losses. The Utes recorded wins over Eastern Washington and California Baptist when shot quality and rebounding held up, but losses to Arizona, Washington, and Mississippi State showed how thin the margin is when defensive play slips.
Injuries: Babacar Faye, Elijah Moore, and Ibi Traore are out, while Jacob Patrick is questionable
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Colorado Buffaloes Lean on Scoring Depth and Pace
The Colorado Buffaloes are 11-3 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play. Colorado averages 86.6 points per game while allowing 78.2, making the Buffaloes one of the higher-scoring teams in conference. In the most recent contest, Colorado won 95-89 on the road against Arizona State. That victory snapped a two-game losing streak and followed home losses to Northern Colorado and Stanford, giving the Buffaloes a needed confidence boost.
Colorado’s offense is balanced across several contributors. Isaiah Johnson leads the team at 15.9 points per game while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three. Barrington Hargress adds 13.6 points and a team-high 4.8 assists per game, providing steady ball control. Sebastian Rancik and Bangot Dak combine interior scoring and rebounding, with Dak pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game and leading the team in blocks at 1.6 per game.
The Buffaloes shoot 49.9 percent from the field and average 16.4 assists per game. Colorado also holds a rebounding edge at 36.9 per game, which has helped offset defensive inconsistencies. While Colorado allows over 78 points per game, the ability to score in bunches has covered for stretches where the defense did not make enough stops. The Arizona State game showed Colorado’s capacity to keep pace in high-scoring encounters and close out a tightly contested affair.
Injuries: Colorado does not have any players on its injury report
Utah Utes vs Colorado Buffaloes Picks Pick
Spread Pick for Utah Utes vs Colorado Buffaloes Picks
- Colorado Buffaloes to Win (5 Units)
Colorado holds advantages in scoring, shooting percentage, and rebounding. The Buffaloes average nearly six more points per game than Utah and shoot at a higher rate from the field. Utah’s reliance on Terrence Brown places pressure on one primary scorer, while Colorado distributes scoring across multiple players. With Utah allowing close to 80 points per game and Colorado pushing the pace, Colorado will control long stretches of this matchup. The Buffaloes also enter with momentum after a road win, while Utah is still searching for its first win in the conference.
Over/Under Pick for Utah Utes vs Colorado Buffaloes Picks
- Over (4 Units)
Both teams play at a pace that produces plenty of points. Utah averages 80.9 points per game, while Colorado averages 86.6. Defensively, neither side has shown consistent ability to limit opponents, with both allowing close to 80 points per game. Utah’s recent games have included totals well above 150 points, and Colorado’s last game finished with 184 combined points. With multiple shooters on the floor and limited rim protection, this matchup sets up for plenty of points at both ends.
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