Utah Utes vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Picks and Predictions January 4th 2025

Utah Looks to Regroup at Home Against Texas Tech

Utah basketball faces a critical opportunity to rebound from a tough Big 12 debut as it hosts Texas Tech on Saturday in Salt Lake City. Both teams are seeking their first conference win after disappointing starts to league play.

Utes Reeling After Baylor Blowout

Utah (8-4, 0-1 Big 12) experienced a harsh welcome to the Big 12 with an 81-56 loss at No. 25 Baylor on New Year’s Eve. The game highlighted the challenges of competing in a rugged conference, especially on the road.

“It’s really hard to win on the road. It’s just really hard,” Utah coach Craig Smith said. “You’ve got to play very good, tough-minded basketball, and we weren’t good enough.”

The Utes’ leading scorer, Gabe Madsen, who was averaging 18.8 points per game, managed just three points on 1-of-7 shooting against Baylor. Fellow starters Ezra Ausar (1-for-8 shooting), Lawson Lovering (one shot), and Miro Little (0-for-9) also struggled offensively.

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Hunter Erickson provided a spark off the bench with a team-high 13 points, while Mason Madsen contributed 10. However, Utah’s offensive woes and lack of contributions from key players must be addressed quickly to compete in the Big 12.

Texas Tech Faces Defensive Challenges

Texas Tech (9-3, 0-1) enters the matchup after an 87-83 home loss to UCF in its conference opener. The Red Raiders fell behind by 18 points with 10 minutes left, continuing a troubling trend of slow starts in their losses.

Coach Grant McCasland expressed frustration with his team’s defensive effort.

“To start Big 12 play with this lack of physicality defensively and to let a team come into our place and score 87 points, it’s ridiculous,” McCasland said. “We have a lot of growing up to do and experience that’s needed to come very quickly in order for us to be a legitimate contender in this league.”

Despite the loss, Texas Tech showed resilience by nearly completing a comeback. McCasland hopes his team can carry that fight into a two-game road trip that begins in Utah and concludes at BYU on Tuesday.

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Key Matchup Factors

• Utah’s Offensive Adjustments: The Utes need better production from their starters, especially Gabe Madsen and Lawson Lovering. Improved shot selection and confidence will be crucial.
• Texas Tech’s Defensive Response: The Red Raiders must shore up their defense, particularly early in games, to avoid falling into large deficits.
• Battle of Motivations: Both teams are coming off eye-opening losses and will be desperate for a win to avoid falling further behind in the conference standings.

Historical Context

This will be the first Big 12 meeting between Utah and Texas Tech, adding intrigue to an already pivotal game. Both teams are eager to establish themselves in a highly competitive league, making Saturday’s matchup a significant test of resolve and preparation.