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Colorado Buffaloes vs Utah Utes Picks and Predictions – January 7th 2026
Pac-12 rivals face off on Tuesday night as the Colorado Buffaloes travel to Huntsman Center to take on the Utah Utes. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET on January 7, 2026. Colorado comes in at 11–3 and looking to continue their rise behind a high-powered offense and physical rebounding. Utah is 10–4 and hasn’t lost at home all season, with a defense-first identity and one of the strongest home-court advantages in the conference.
The altitude matchup always matters when these two teams meet — but so does the tempo. Colorado likes to get downhill and score in the paint. Utah wants to slow things down, force long possessions, and control the glass. This one has all the makings of a classic Pac-12 grinder.
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Colorado Buffaloes vs Utah Utes Odds
Check out the current betting lines below. For updates, head to the latest college basketball odds page before tipoff.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Buffaloes | +125 | +2.5 (-110) | O 143.5 (-110) |
| Utah Utes | -145 | -2.5 (-110) | U 143.5 (-110) |
Colorado Buffaloes Betting Form
Colorado enters this game playing sharp basketball. Offensively, they’ve been dynamic — ranking top-30 in efficiency, thanks to the combo of KJ Simpson and Cody Williams. They’re physical, they shoot well inside the arc, and they attack the paint with purpose. The Buffs rebound at a high level and get to the line often, two critical metrics on the road.
The issue? Their defense. It’s good, not great. Opponents are shooting nearly 35% from three against Colorado, and they’ve struggled with ball movement-heavy teams. If they don’t defend without fouling or allow Utah second-chance buckets, things could get messy.
For a full team profile, visit the Colorado stats and results. Always check final availability on the Colorado injury report.
Utah Utes Betting Form
Utah has quietly been one of the most reliable home teams in the Pac-12. They’re 8–0 in Salt Lake City this season and have won all but one of those by double digits. Craig Smith’s team leans on size, physical defense, and strong rebounding. Branden Carlson anchors the interior, and their length disrupts most halfcourt offenses.
Offensively, they’re not flashy, but they’re efficient. Utah doesn’t shoot a high volume of threes, but they convert at a respectable clip and don’t waste possessions. They rarely beat themselves — which makes them dangerous against a Colorado team that sometimes goes through scoring droughts on the road.
Check the Utah schedule and stats, and stay current with the Utah injury report for any lineup news.
Colorado Buffaloes vs Utah Utes Matchup Breakdown
This matchup has balance on paper — but the style battle favors Utah at home. Colorado wants to get downhill, win the free-throw battle, and crash the glass. But Utah defends the rim extremely well, doesn’t foul much, and ranks top-25 in defensive rebounding rate.
Here’s what stands out:
- Pace: Utah will slow this down. They’re bottom-75 in tempo. That favors the underdog if Colorado can stay efficient in halfcourt sets.
- Three-point defense: Colorado is vulnerable from deep. Utah doesn’t shoot a ton but could exploit poor rotations.
- Free throws: Both teams get to the line — but Utah shoots better at home, where they’re over 75% from the stripe.
- Altitude/home edge: Colorado is used to altitude — but Utah’s energy in Salt Lake remains a big edge.
Unless Colorado starts hot or forces turnovers, it’s hard to see them running away. This should stay tight late.
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Colorado Buffaloes vs Utah Utes Predictions and Best Bets
This is a game Utah usually wins — and covers — at home. The number is fair at -2.5, and Utah’s interior defense plus their rebounding edge should carry them down the stretch. Colorado will hang, but Utah’s execution late in close games has been rock solid all year.
The total at 143.5 is tricky. Colorado can score in bunches, but Utah will likely pull the pace down and make this a possession-by-possession game. Unless both teams shoot above expectation from three, it likely sneaks under.
Leaning Utah -2.5 with confidence in the venue and matchup edges.
Best Bet: Utah -2.5 (-110).
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