Arizona State basketball predictions against Utah

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State basketball (8-5) returns home to Desert Financial Arena Thursday night to welcome the Utah Utes (11-2). Both teams are hot right now. Utah has won eight straight games and ASU is 2-0 to start conference play behind back-to-back big second-half comebacks.

The Utes have had an imposing start to the season led by 7-foot, fifth-year, center Branden Carlson. Carlson is averaging 17 points and more than six rebounds per game, with 17 blocks this season. Utah has impressive wins over Wake Forest, Saint Mary’s, BYU, Washington, and Washington State.

The Sun Devils have been rejuvenated after a disappointing end to non-conference play. ASU now has the chance to begin Pac-12 play 3-0 after a sweep in California.

ASU is 5-0 at home and Utah is 1-0 on the road this season. The Sun Devils are 11-12 all-time against Utah but have won five of the last six matchups. ASU has won three straight games in the series, with the defense allowing just about 60 points per game. The Sun Devils have also won each of the last three games played in Tempe.

With a win Thursday night, head coach Bobby Hurley would become the third coach in program history to accomplish 150 wins.

Here are our Sun Devil Daily staff predictions for Arizona State basketball against Utah.

Arizona State basketball predictions against Utah

ASU: 68 Utah: 82

This is one of if not ASU’s toughest opponents so far. Utah has been on fire lately and has a great offense, averaging 81 points per game and shooting nearly 50% of field goals per game. The Utes are also averaging nearly 40 rebounds per game with nearly 20 assists per game. ASU’s defense is going to need to step up if they want to win this game. – Truitt Robinson (3-2)

ASU: 62 Utah: 70

Utah is one of the hottest teams in the PAC 12 and has a ton of versatile players that can give ASU problems. If ASU wants to win this game the number one thing they need to do at home is stay out of foul trouble. Foul trouble has been an issue in past games and has allowed teams to shoot huge numbers at the line. – Cooper Burns (8-3)

ASU: 66 Utah: 77

Coach Craig Smith and the Utes have been rolling to start the year and come into Tempe facing an ASU team that has barely squeaked by in its last few games. Branden Carlson must be neutralized if the Sun Devils stand a chance in this game. Jose Perez regaining his early season form would be a massive boost for an ASU team that will need all the scoring it can get tonight. – Anthony D’Amato (6-5)

ASU: 69 Utah: 80

Utah comes into this game on fire, and I think it will just be too much for ASU to handle. ASU will need to play a near-perfect game to win tonight, and we have yet to see that this season. The Sun Devils will have their hands full in the paint on the defensive end, and I don’t think they’ll be able to score enough on the offensive end. I think the Utes spoil the Sun Devil’s conference home opener. – Douglas Santo (8-3)

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