Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 3/31/25

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 3/31/25

CROWN TOURNAMENT

FIRST ROUND

UTAH vs. BUTLER (UT -1.5, 156)

BUTLER +1.5

Butler actually opened as the favorite in this game, but the line has flipped in favor of Utah. I find it odd since the Utes fired their head coach during the season and then watched seven players jump into the transfer portal at season's end.

Then, you factor in Utah's performance away from home this season. Utah was a very impressive 15-4 SU on its home floor this season. Away from home, though, the Utes were 1-12. That includes an 0-3 mark in neutral site games like this one tonight. The entire Crown Tournament will be played in Las Vegas.

Butler started the 2024-25 season 7-1 SU. Then, they had to play through the Big East schedule, which is difficult for anyone. Playing the likes of St. John's, Marquette, and Creighton, Butler lost its first six Big East games and then lost 5 of 6 to finish the season 14-19.

Despite all of that, the Bulldogs come into tonight's game as the better offense. Butler is the better 3PT shooting team - 47th in the nation at 36.9 percent. They are also better at the free throw line - 74.5% to Utah's 63.9% (357th in the nation). Utah's offense in road games only averaged 67 points per game.

Butler lost one player to the transfer portal and he was a walk-on. The Bulldogs have a more stable coaching situation and they did go 3-1 SU in neutral site games this season. I like the value on the underdog tonight.

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Ylose expert Coach Rick Bowe delivers his daily Quick Picks. The Coach continues to roll up big wins in college basketball, college football, the NFL, MLB and much more. Coach Rick offers a unique perspective to handicapping. Check out his daily free picks right here and jump on his daily Best Bets, which you can find right here at Ylose.com/coach.