Utah Utes vs Florida A&m Rattlers Picks and Predictions December 17th 2024

Utah Aims to Stay Hot Against Florida A&M

The Utah Utes are firing on all cylinders as they prepare to host the Florida A&M Rattlers on Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. With a 7-2 record and a selfless offensive approach leading the way, the Utes look to keep their momentum rolling against a Rattlers team seeking growth and experience against elite competition.

Sharing is Winning: Utah’s Unselfish Play

If there’s one thing that defines Utah’s success so far, it’s teamwork. The Utes currently lead all of Division I in assists, averaging 20.6 per game. Their unselfishness was on full display in Saturday’s 81-63 victory over Radford, where they assisted on 22 of 28 made field goals.

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This willingness to share the ball has propelled Utah to a strong start, with an impressive scoring margin of 21.8 points per game, second-best in the Big 12.

Offensive Firepower Balanced with Defensive Grit

While Utah’s offense has flourished, their defense has been equally impressive. Opponents are shooting just 41.1 percent on 2-point attempts, the second-lowest percentage in all of Division I. This defensive discipline has provided the Utes with a reliable foundation, even in tougher matchups.

Forward Jake Wahlin emphasized the importance of staying locked in defensively.

“No matter how the offensive side of the floor is going, we have to stay true to who we are defensively,” Wahlin said.

Gabe Madsen continues to lead the Utes offensively, averaging 21 points per game. He contributed 15 points in the win over Radford and remains a consistent scoring threat as the team heads deeper into its nonconference slate.

Florida A&M: A Team Looking to Build

The Florida A&M Rattlers (3-5) enter Tuesday’s game with a different focus: learning and improving. They haven’t played since Dec. 6, when they blew out Trinity (Fla.) 130-58, matching the school record for most points in a game.

Sterling Young, the team’s leading scorer at 13.4 points per game, was the star of that performance, knocking down six 3-pointers on his way to 25 points. The Rattlers are a team that lives and dies by the 3-point line, averaging 10 made threes per game.

First-year head coach Patrick Crarey sees this week—where they also play BYU on Friday—as a significant opportunity for growth.

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“We’re playing two Big 12 teams, which is one of the premier conferences in America,” Crarey said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to learn.”

Key Matchup: Utah’s Defense vs. Florida A&M’s Perimeter Shooting

Utah’s ability to lock down defensively will be tested against Florida A&M’s 3-point-heavy offense. The Rattlers rely on the deep shot to stay competitive, but Utah’s disciplined defense could make life difficult for Florida A&M’s shooters.

The Utes will need to stay true to their defensive principles while continuing to share the ball offensively. If they can limit Florida A&M’s perimeter production and maintain their offensive rhythm, they should have no trouble controlling the game.

Staying the Course

For Utah, this matchup represents another chance to fine-tune their game before conference play begins. Their ability to stay connected on both ends of the floor has been the key to their success, and replicating that against Florida A&M will keep them on track.

For the Rattlers, this game is less about the scoreboard and more about growth. Facing a top-tier opponent like Utah provides valuable experience for a team under new leadership, as they aim to improve and compete at a higher level.

Will Utah’s balanced approach and elite defense overwhelm Florida A&M, or can the Rattlers’ perimeter shooting provide a spark? All signs point to another strong showing for the Utes as they continue their impressive start to the season.