Utah Utes vs Saint Mary’s Gaels Picks and Predictions December 7th 2024

Utah, Saint Mary’s Collide in Early Season Test

Utah and Saint Mary’s square off Saturday in Salt Lake City in a clash of two strong programs seeking to solidify their early-season credentials.

Smith Prepares for Gaels’ Rugged Style

Utah head coach Craig Smith offered a vivid description of what his team can expect from Saint Mary’s.

“You know, it’s a little bit like going to the dentist,” Smith said during an ESPN700 interview. “They muck it up and they’re good. … They’re just very rugged and skilled. They shoot the three well. They get to the rim well. They know who they are, and so it’s gonna be a great test for us.”

Battle of Heavyweight Rebounders

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The matchup pits Utah (6-1) against Saint Mary’s (8-1) in a showdown that could be decided on the boards. Utah ranks fourth nationally in rebounding (44.29 per game), while Saint Mary’s is tied for sixth (43.78).

Utes Riding Home Dominance

Utah remains unbeaten at home this season, boasting a perfect 6-0 record at the Huntsman Center. The Utes have averaged 90.4 points per game, good for fourth in the nation entering Friday, and lead the NCAA in assists per game at 21.3.

Recent Performances

Utah extended its winning streak to three games with an 88-80 victory over Eastern Washington last Saturday. Gabe Madsen poured in 28 points, while Ezra Ausar added 20 and Lawson Lovering contributed 16 points and eight rebounds.

Saint Mary’s needed overtime to edge UTSA 82-74 on Tuesday. Augustas Marciulionis paced the Gaels with 23 points, eight assists, and three steals, while Mitchell Saxen recorded 15 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks.

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The Gaels were coming off their only loss of the season, a narrow 68-64 defeat to Arizona State in the Acrisure Classic championship game.

Star Performers

• Utah: Gabe Madsen leads the Utes with 22.7 points per game, followed by Lawson Lovering (14.0), Ezra Ausar (12.6), and Mason Madsen (11.1). Lovering also leads the team in rebounding at 7.5 boards per game, while Miro Little averages six assists.
• Saint Mary’s: Augustas Marciulionis tops the Gaels with 15 points and 5.8 assists per game. Paulius Murauskas contributes 13.1 points and a team-high 9.8 rebounds, while Luke Barrett and Mikey Lewis each chip in 10.8 points.

Last Season’s Meeting

Utah claimed a 78-71 victory at Saint Mary’s last season, giving the Utes confidence heading into this year’s rematch.

Key Matchup

• Rebounding Battle: With both teams excelling on the boards, controlling second-chance opportunities will be crucial.

What’s at Stake

Both teams aim to solidify their early-season form and gain momentum in what promises to be a tightly contested game. For Utah, another strong offensive performance could extend their home dominance, while Saint Mary’s looks to prove itself in its first true road test of the season.