Cincinnati Bearcats vs Utah Utes Picks and Predictions for Tuesday March 10 2026
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The Utah Utes face the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament First Round at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET and the game will be televised on ESPN+. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily predictions and expert analysis.
Utah Hoping to End Rough Stretch
Utah enters the Big 12 Tournament with a 10-21 overall record and a difficult 2-16 record in conference play this season. The Utes have struggled significantly down the stretch as they recently lost to Baylor 101-75, recently lost to Colorado 92-78, recently lost to Arizona State 73-60, recently lost to Iowa State 75-59, and recently lost to UCF 73-71.
Utah averages 74.6 points per game while allowing 79.3 points per contest this season. The Utes shoot 46% from the field and average 33.5 rebounds per game while also contributing 13.8 assists per contest. Defensively they add 3.5 blocks and 5.4 steals per game.
One of the biggest challenges for Utah this season has been their defense. Allowing over 79 points per game has made it difficult to stay competitive in conference matchups, particularly against teams that can score efficiently.
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Bearcats Bring Balanced Attack
Cincinnati enters the tournament with a 17-14 overall record and a solid 9-9 mark in Big 12 play. The Bearcats have been competitive recently as they recently lost to TCU 73-63, recently won over BYU 90-68, recently won over Oklahoma State 91-68, recently lost to Texas Tech 80-68, and recently won over Kansas 84-68.
The Bearcats average 73.4 points per game while allowing just 67.7 points per contest, which has been one of their biggest strengths this season. Cincinnati shoots 43% from the field and averages 36.9 rebounds per game while producing 16.7 assists per contest.
Defense has been a defining trait for Cincinnati this season. Allowing under 68 points per game gives them a clear edge against teams that struggle defensively, and their rebounding advantage often helps them control the tempo of games.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs Utah Utes Pick
Cincinnati vs Utah Pick
- Cincinnati Bearcats Moneyline
Cincinnati has been the far more consistent team this season and holds a significant defensive advantage in this matchup. The Bearcats allow over 11 fewer points per game than Utah and have shown they can compete with stronger conference teams. With Utah entering the tournament on a five-game losing streak, Cincinnati should have the edge.
Cincinnati vs Utah Total Pick
- Take the Over if the total is set at 145
I think this game could still push toward the over despite Cincinnati’s defensive strength. Utah games often feature higher scoring due to their defensive struggles, and Cincinnati has shown the ability to score efficiently when they control the pace. With both teams capable of reaching the mid-70s, the over is worth consideration.
Final Score Prediction: Cincinnati 78, Utah 71
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