Utah (16-16) vs Butler (14-19)
- When: Mar 31 2025, 3:00 PM
- Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
- Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
College Basketball Crown First Round: Utah vs Butler
Spread: Butler -1 | Total: 155.5
In one of the most intriguing matchups of the inaugural College Basketball Crown, Butler and Utah collide with contrasting levels of program stability and postseason motivation. The Bulldogs enter as 1-point favorites, and the total is set at 155.5.
Utah Outlook & Betting Angle
The Utes (16-16) are navigating a major transitional phase. Following the dismissal of head coach Craig Smith in late February, assistant Josh Eilert has taken over as interim coach for this tournament while incoming head coach Alex Jensen finishes his NBA duties. Add to that a wave of roster exits, including starters Lawson Lovering and Jake Wahlin, and Utah’s rotation has been heavily depleted.
Despite the instability, Utah accepted an invite to the new 16-team tournament in Las Vegas. The Utes will lean heavily on sharpshooter Gabe Madsen (15.1 PPG), who’s averaging three triples per game, though his 32% clip from deep doesn’t inspire much consistency.
With a roster in flux and motivation levels questionable, Utah will be hard-pressed to find rhythm — especially on the defensive end where they’ve struggled to contain perimeter scorers all season.
Butler Outlook & Betting Angle
Butler (14-19) hasn’t had the smoothest ride either, dropping five of their last six and struggling through a brutal midseason stretch. However, there’s far more continuity within their program. Only one walk-on has entered the transfer portal, and head coach Thad Matta has the team locked in despite the sub-.500 finish.
Jahmyl Telfort has been a bright spot during Butler’s rough patch, averaging 16.8 points per game on 53% shooting across the last 10 contests. His efficient scoring should be a difference-maker against a Utah squad that’s clearly vulnerable to offensive surges.
Butler also leads the all-time series 3-1, with their only defeat dating back to 1964.
Prediction & Betting Pick
Given the instability within the Utah program — including coaching changes and multiple players in the portal — it’s hard to back the Utes with any confidence. Butler isn’t lighting the world on fire, but they have enough continuity and a proven scorer in Telfort to gain the upper hand in Vegas.
Pick: Butler -1
Score Prediction: Butler 79, Utah 73
Lean: Under 155.5 – Given Utah’s depleted rotation, expect a slower pace and fewer clean looks from deep.
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
