PEPPERDINE
5-3
2-5 ATS
3-2 Home
Won 2 in a row
79.5 PPG Overall
79.8 PPGA Overall
80.0 PPG Home
78.6 PPGA Home
UTAH
5-3
3-3 ATS
0-1 Road
Lost 1
67.5 PPG Overall
57.9 PPGA Overall
54.0 PPG Road
59.0 PPGA Road
DIG DEEPER:
Utes will play their first game without leading scorer Britton Johnsen (14 PPG, 6.8 RPG).
Wave will be playing their third game in five days.
Utes won last two meetings.
CONCLUSION:
Utah won the last two meetings against Pepperdine by dictating the tempo. Rick Majerus teaches his team to use all of the shot clock on offense, and his players always play tenacious defense. I expect Pepperdine to be a little sluggish tonight, having played back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday in the Stanford Invitational Tournament. Utah had more time to practice and prepare for this game. The Utes will play even harder tonight without Johnsen in the lineup, and in the end, I believe their defense will enable them to escape with a straight up victory. Don't forget, Johnsen's absence is already figured into the opening line.
PLAY = UTES +3.5
5-3
2-5 ATS
3-2 Home
Won 2 in a row
79.5 PPG Overall
79.8 PPGA Overall
80.0 PPG Home
78.6 PPGA Home
UTAH
5-3
3-3 ATS
0-1 Road
Lost 1
67.5 PPG Overall
57.9 PPGA Overall
54.0 PPG Road
59.0 PPGA Road
DIG DEEPER:
Utes will play their first game without leading scorer Britton Johnsen (14 PPG, 6.8 RPG).
Wave will be playing their third game in five days.
Utes won last two meetings.
CONCLUSION:
Utah won the last two meetings against Pepperdine by dictating the tempo. Rick Majerus teaches his team to use all of the shot clock on offense, and his players always play tenacious defense. I expect Pepperdine to be a little sluggish tonight, having played back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday in the Stanford Invitational Tournament. Utah had more time to practice and prepare for this game. The Utes will play even harder tonight without Johnsen in the lineup, and in the end, I believe their defense will enable them to escape with a straight up victory. Don't forget, Johnsen's absence is already figured into the opening line.
PLAY = UTES +3.5
