The Utah Utes are in desperate need of a marquee victory to boost their NCAA tournament chances, and a win against the sixth-ranked Houston Cougars would be a monumental upset. Utah's 1-9 conference record and 126 NET ranking have them firmly on the outside looking in, but a Quad 1 win would significantly improve their resume. Meanwhile, Houston is firmly entrenched on the top-16 seed line, boasting a 7-2 record against Quad 1 opponents and a sparkling 21-2 overall record.
Houston's Dominant Quad 1 Record
CHD Scout Prediction
Houston
85
Utah
64
The CHD Scout prediction doesn't bode well for the Utes, forecasting a 21.5-point Houston victory with a mere 4.7% win probability for Utah. This matchup falls under Quad 1 for Utah and Quad 2 for Houston, making it a high-reward opportunity for the Utes to pick up a statement win. Utah's recent form hasn't been encouraging, with a three-game losing streak, while Houston is riding a three-game win streak.