The Utah Utes take on the TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth, TX. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
TCU is favored by 4.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -166. The total is set at 142.5 points.
Here’s my Utah vs. TCU predictions and college basketball picks for January 15, 2025.
Utah vs TCU Prediction
My Pick: TCU -4.5
My Utah vs TCU best bet is on the Horned Frogs spread, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Utah vs TCU Odds
| Utah Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -112 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | +140 |
| TCU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -108 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | -166 |
- Utah vs TCU spread: TCU -4.5
- Utah vs TCU over/under: 142.5 points
- Utah vs TCU moneyline: TCU -166, Utah +140
- Utah vs TCU best bet: TCU -4.5
Spread
I'm targeting the Horned Frogs on the spread at home.
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: TCU -4.5
Utah vs TCU College Basketball Betting Preview
It’s tough to win on the road in the Big 12, and it’s been tough for the Utah Utes to win on the road in general.
Utah has played two true road contests this season, one at Baylor and one at Iowa State. The Utes lost those contests by an average of 24 points per game.
TCU isn’t near the caliber of Baylor or Iowa State, but the Horned Frogs have shown they can protect home court. KenPom ranks Schollmaier Arena as the fourth-best home court advantage in the country. To date, the Frogs are 9-0 at home and 2-0 in the Big 12, with wins over Kansas State and BYU.
TCU’s defense has been its saving grace this season, and it's the only reason it’s been competitive in spite of an offense that lacks shooting and tends to stagnate.
The Frogs have to win with physicality, and they should be able to out-tough and out-strength the taller Utes squad.
Ernest Udeh Jr. must hold his own in the middle, as Utah lives at the rim and relies on it as a complement to its outside shooting attack. Udeh is TCU’s only semblance of rim protection, but he’s done well this year when it comes to staying out of foul trouble.
On offense, TCU doesn’t run nearly as much as Jamie Dixon’s past squads — a clear choice given his talent drop off this season. But the Frogs are still opportunistic in the open floor, and their transition offense has been much better than their half-court attack.
In that half-court, Dixon hands the keys to his two scoring guards, Vasean Allette and Noah Reynolds. Both stepped up in competition this season and both have struggled thus far. However, both can get hot and manufacture offense, musts if TCU is to come away with a win.
The glass will also be a huge factor. Utah isn't a strong defensive rebounding team, and the Frogs have certified glass eaters in Trazarien White and Udeh.
Physicality and effort — leading to second chances — will be the key.
TCU isn't pretty, but the Frogs just need to win by a couple of buckets to cover on Wednesday. The Utes aren't road warriors, and the Frogs need to gobble up every win they can to keep their slim tourney hopes alive.
