Dane Miller’s Dec 30 Men’s Hoops Preview

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Posted on December 30, 2021


  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

Postponements due to COVID have wreaked havoc on the College Basketball world over the past week: USC, UCLA, Stanford, Colorado, and most recently, WSU, have all been affected.

Unfortunately, that list figures to grow as teams return from their holiday breaks.

The protocols have dwindled the number of matchups over the next few days to one. Utah remains scheduled to travel to Oregon State to take on the Beavers on Thursday.

I preview that game here, and my pick appears at the bottom.

Utah at Oregon State

Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR
Thursday, December 30
6:00 pm PT, Pac-12 Network

Every game matters.

The Utes have a legitimate shot at contending for a Top 4 finish in the Pac-12 Regular Season standings, but those chances could take a hit with a loss in Corvallis.

The Beavers clicked for the first time this season against Nicholls, potentially signaling a run is in the cards. Jarod Lucas has been on fire, averaging 24.5 points over the last two games.

OSU’s Dashawn Davis | Scobel Wiggens/Oregon State Athletics

Slowing down the three-point specialist figures to be item No. 1 in Craig Smith’s game plan, followed by hampering Warith Alatishe. If Utah limits OSU’s top two scorers, it should have the offensive firepower to walk away with a win.

The winner of this matchup will leave the court with momentum that figures to propel it forward into the new year.