Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round) on March 10, 2026 , Loss , 66, to, 73
Final Score
Men's Basketball
66
vs No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round)
73
The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Men's Basketball Notes - Game #17
1/19/2003 12:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 19, 2003
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Game #17
Utah Runnin' Utes (12-4, 0-1) vs. UNLV Runnin' Rebels (11-3, 0-1)Jan. 20 * 9:04 p.m. (PST) * Thomas & Mack Center (18,500) * Las Vegas, Nev.
The Game at a Glance
Utah Head Coach: Rick Majerus UNLV Head Coach: Charlie Spoonhour Alma Mater: Marquette, 1970 Alma Mater: University of The Ozarks, 1961 Record at Utah: 295-86/14th Season Record at UNLV: 32-14/2nd Season Career Record: 394-138/19th Season Career Record: 351-185/18th SeasonTelevision: ESPN. Bob Carpenter (play-by-play) and Jimmy Dykes (analyst).
Radio: Utah Sports Network (KALL-910 AM in Salt Lake City and affiliate stations). Bill Marcroft (play-by-play), Mark Rydalch (analyst) and Brad Stone (host). On the Internet at www.UtahUtes.com and www.kall910.com.
Series Record: UNLV leads 12-10 Utah's Record Home/Away/Neutral: 7-2/3-8/0-2 Last Meeting: Utah lost to UNLV 76-70 on March 8, 2002 in Las Vegas in the MWC Tournament semifinals.
Looking Ahead
Utah plays its third consecutive road game to open the Mountain West Conference season. The Runnin' Utes face Brigham Young in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1:07 p.m. (MST) on ESPN Regional. Utah returns home to host Air Force on Saturday, Feb. 1 and New Mexico on Monday, Feb. 3.
Quickly On Utah
The Runnin' Utes (12-4, 0-1 MWC) continue their first weekend of Mountain West Conference action against UNLV (11-3, 0-1 MWC) on Monday at 9:04 p.m. (PST) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The game will be televised as part of ESPN's "Big Monday" and broadcast on KALL-910 AM and the Utah Sports Network.
Following a 2-2 start to the season, Utah has won 10 of its last 12. The Utes had a season-best seven-game winning streak snapped with a 58-56 loss at San Diego State on Saturday. Utah is 9-0 at home this season, 2-2 on the road and 1-2 on neutral courts. The Runnin' Utes rank ninth in the NCAA in scoring defense (57.8 ppg).
Three Utes are averaging double figures in scoring. Junior guard Nick Jacobson (6-4, 200) leads the way in scoring average (12.8 ppg), and is shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range (40-for-96) and 87.5 percent from the free throw line. Junior center Tim Frost (6-10, 236) is second in both scoring (12.5 ppg) and rebounding (4.8 rpg). Senior forward Britton Johnsen (6-10, 210) is third in scoring (12.4 ppg) and first in rebounding (6.4 rpg). Freshman point guard Tim Drisdom (6-3, 203) leads the Utes in assists (3.6 apg) and is shooting 46.9 percent from beyond the arc.
From the Training Room
Senior forward Britton Johnsen returned to action on Dec. 30 against Alabama after missing two games with a torn ligament in his right thumb. Johnsen sustained the injury early in the first half at Utah State on Nov. 17, but finished the game. Johnsen returned to practice on Dec. 27 and has been wearing a splint on his right hand. On Jan. 12, he began rehabilitation and was fitted with a smaller split that he will need to wear until the end of January.
Scouting The Runnin' Rebels
UNLV is 11-3 overall and 0-1 in Mountain West Conference play after falling to BYU 85-77 in Provo, Utah, last Thursday night. Before the loss to BYU, UNLV had won five in a row, including a 75-70 win at DePaul on Jan. 11. The Runnin' Rebels are 8-1 at home this season with their only loss coming to Stanford (77-66) on Dec. 21. They rank second in the MWC in scoring offense (78.1 ppg), eighth in scoring defense (72.4 ppg) and first in steals (9.86 spg).
Senior guard Marcus Banks (6-2, 200) leads the team in scoring (18.8 ppg), assists (5.4 apg) and steals (46). Banks is also shooting 39.6 from three-point range. Senior forward Dalron Johnson (6-10, 215) is second in scoring (16.1 ppg), shooting 50.0 percent from beyond the arc (18-of-36). Johnson is also second in rebounding for the Rebels (6.6 rpg) and first in blocked shots (20). Junior guard Demetrius Hunter (6-2, 210), who reinjured his left Achilles' tendon against BYU and is expected to be out a week, is third in scoring (9.9 ppg), hitting 26-of-63 three-pointers (.413). Senior guard Jermaine Lewis (6-4, 200) leads the team in rebounds (6.8 rpg) and is averaging 9.0 points per game.
Head Coach Charlie Spoonhour
Charlie Spoonhour became the 12th head coach in UNLV history last season and has a 32-14 record in his second season. His career record is 351-185 in 18 seasons.
Spoonhour jumped back into coaching after taking two years off. He was named the District 8 Coach of the Year in 2002 after leading UNLV to a 21-11 mark in his first season. He most recently spent seven years as the head coach at Saint Louis (1992-99) and went 122-90. Before his stint with the Billikens, Spoonhour was the head coach for nine years at Southwest Missouri State (1983-92). In his career, he has led teams to eight NCAA Tournaments and three NIT appearances.
Utah-UNLV Series Notes
* Utah and UNLV meet for the 23rd time on Monday night. The series dates back to a 107-90 win by the Runnin' Rebels on Dec. 26, 1975.
* UNLV leads the all-time series 12-10. The Runnin' Utes had won four in a row to tie the series at 10-10 before losing the last two games of the series last season in Las Vegas. UNLV won 72-64 on Feb. 11 during the regular season and 76-70 on March 8 in the semifinals of the MWC Tournament.
* UNLV has an 8-3 advantage in games played in Las Vegas and has won the last two games played at the Thomas & Mack Center. Utah's last win in Las Vegas was 85-77 on Feb. 12, 2001 to break a two-game losing steak at the T&M.
* In conference play, Utah has a 7-3 advantage.
* Utah's most decisive win over UNLV under Rick Majerus was 44 points (96-52) on Feb. 21, 2000 in Salt Lake City. It was also the Utes' biggest win over the Runnin' Rebels all-time.
* UNLV's most decisive win over Utah under Rick Majerus was 17 points (83-66) on March 21, 1991 in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament in Seattle, Wash.
* Rick Majerus is 4-5 against UNLV all-time with all of those games taking place during his tenure at Utah.
* Charlie Spoonhour is 2-1 against Utah, facing the Utes for the first time last season.
Last Meeting
Dalron Johnson scored 21 points as UNLV beat Utah 76-70 in the semifinals of the 2002 Mountain West Conference Tournament on March 8. Nick Jacobson led Utah with 16 points and Phil Cullen added 14 and Travis Spivey had 11.
The Rebels led 62-61 with 3:50 remaining when Johnson scored and, after a Utah turnover, hit two free throws to put the Rebels ahead 66-61 with 3:03 left. After another Utah miss, Jevon Banks drove the length of the floor for a layup to put UNLV ahead 68-61. The Utes cut the lead to 68-65 when Jeff Johnsen was fouled after making a three-pointer and then made the free throw for a four-point play.
But Vince Booker hit a three-pointer for the Rebels to extend the lead to 71-65 with one minute remaining. The Utes didn't get closer than five the rest of the way. Marcus Banks and Jevon Banks each scored 12 points for the Rebels.
UNLV jumped to an early 20-3 lead with 12:58 remaining as Dalron Johnson scored seven points and Richardson five. Utah missed seven of its first eight shots. Britton Johnsen hit a three-pointer to bring the Utes back to within 20-6. Cullen hit two three-pointers and added two free throws to help Utah cut the lead to 29-25 at the half. The Rebels didn't score for 4:30 down the stretch, missing five straight shots and turning the ball over once.
Utah took its first lead of the game at 40-39 with 11:25 left in the second half and held a 43-41. Dalron Johnson made two free throws to tie the game at 43 and then Marcus Banks converted two free throws to give UNLV a 45-43 lead with 10:19 remaining.
Great Britton: Junior Forward Named Wooden Award Candidate
Senior forward Britton Johnsen (6-10, 210), named to the Wooden Award Preseason All-America Team, returned to the Ute lineup against Alabama on Dec. 30 and has played in the last six games. Johnsen missed two games after he tore a ligament in his right thumb against Utah State on Dec. 17 and had surgery the next day. Johnsen is one of 50 players in the nation considered an early candidate for John R. Wooden Award, presented annually to college basketball's player of the year.
* Johnsen had his best offensive output since returning from the injury Saturday against San Diego State. He had a game-high 16 points, shooting 5-of-11 from the field, 2-of-4 from three-point range and 4-of-6 at the line. Johnsen also led the Utes with seven rebounds and three steals in 31 minutes.
* In his second game back against Weber State on Jan. 3, Johnsen had his 10th career double-double and his third of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. It was Johnsen's sixth double-double in the last 17 games he's played in dating back to last season.
* Johnsen has scored in double figures in 10 of the 14 games he's played in this season, leading Utah in scoring four times. Dating back to the 2000-01 season, Johnsen has scored in double figures in 48 of his last 69 contests.
* Johnsen has led Utah in rebounding in eight of the 14 games he's appeared in this season, averaging 6.4 boards per contest. He also led the Utes in rebounding 14 of the final 20 games last season, averaging 7.4 rebounds per game during that stretch.
* Johnsen had his best overall game of the season in the overtime loss to Arizona State on Nov. 27. He had a season-high 23 points to lead the Utes, shooting 9-of-18 from the field and 4-of-7 from the free throw line. Johnsen also had a team-best seven rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes.
* Last season, Johnsen was named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and USBWA District 8 Player of the Year, and made the NABC/Pontiac All-District 13 first team. Johnsen was second on the team in scoring (12.6 ppg) and first in rebounding (6.3 rpg), ranking 13th and eighth in the Mountain West Conference in those categories, respectively. He also ranked 12th in field goal percentage (49.6) and 15th in three-point percentage (35.6) in the MWC.
Take Note of These Utes
* Marc Jackson had a career-high 11 points against San Diego State on Saturday, shooting 2-of-3 from the field, 1-of-2 from three-point range and 6-of-7 at the line. He also had a career-best six assists and two turnovers in 27 minutes.
* Cameron Koford scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time in his college career against Pepperdine and San Diego. Against Pepperdine, Koford had a career-high six blocked shots, 10 points (3-4 FG, 4-6 FT) and a season-high seven rebounds in 21 minutes. In the San Diego game, he had a season-high 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 FT) and six rebounds in 20 minutes. Koford contributed eight points, four rebounds, two blocked shots and two assists in 24 minutes against Weber State. He had three more blocked shots against Saint Mary's and has a season total of 23.
Game #16 Rewind
Britton Johnsen had 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds while Tim Frost added 15 points for the Utes, who fell to San Diego State 58-56 on Saturday at Cox Arena.
Mike Mackell and Tony Bland each scored 13 points to lead San Diego State to end a 14-game losing streak to the Utes.
Down 56-54, Utah had a chance to tie the game coming out of a timeout with 19.6 seconds left. But Nick Jacobson missed an open three-pointer from the right side, and the Aztecs' Aerick Sanders was fouled on the rebound with 5.4 seconds left. Sanders made two free throws in the double-bonus situation to seal San Diego State's first victory over the Utes since Jan. 22, 1994, when the Aztecs prevailed 76-73 at home.
The Aztecs (11-4, 2-0) capitalized on the poorest shooting game of the season by Utah (12-4, 0-1) in ending the Utes' seven-game winning streak. Utah went 35.3 percent from the field (18-of-51).
Jacobson, who entered the game with a team-high average of 12.9 points per game went only 4-of-16 from the field, missing all eight tries from three-point range. He finished with 11 points.
Deandre Moore led the Aztecs with nine rebounds and three assists, while also recording eight points.
After holding a 29-28 halftime lead, the Aztecs fell behind 37-31 in the first 3:55 of the second half. But they used a 9-0 run, including five points by reserve Evan Burns, to move back ahead 44-39 with 9:59 to go. The Utes came back for a 50-50 tie with 3:04 left but could never regain the lead.
Utah was outrebounded 38-30 but had eight steals.
With the loss to San Diego State, Utah fell to 9-2 in conference openers overall under Rick Majerus and 4-3 on the road. Majerus did not coach the Utes in two other conference openers during his 14-year tenure in 1990 and 2001, both won by Utah.
Inside the Numbers
* In seven of the 12 wins, Utah has held its opponent to under 40 percent shooting from the field. The Utes have outshot their opponents 47.8 to 38.5 percent in its wins. In its four losses, the Utes have been outshoot 44.5 to 42.9 percent.
* The Utes have outrebounded their opponents in 11 of the 12 wins. The exception was a 32-30 deficit in the win over Alabama. In their wins, the Utes have outrebounded the opponents by an average of 35.1 to 28.9. Utah had a season-best 48-32 advantage (+16) on the glass in its win over Pepperdine on Dec. 20. In three of the four losses, Utah has been outrebounded. Its average rebound deficit in losses is 35.0 to 30.3.
* The Utes have had the advantage at the free throw line in their 12 wins, making 214 trips to the line compared to 190 for the opponents and shooting 71.0 to 68.9 percent. In the four losses, the opposite has been the case with the opponents outshooting Utah at the free throw line 141 attempts to 60, and making 93 (65.0 percent) to 34 (56.7 percent).
Noting The Season
* The Utes had their worst shooting day of the season against San Diego State (Jan. 18), hitting just 35.3 percent from the field (18-of-51).
* Utah had a season-best 24 assists against IPFW on 29 baskets. Freshman point guard Tim Drisdom led the effort with a career-best six assists.
* Utah defeated Alabama, then ranked No.1 by the Associated Press and No. 3 by ESPN/USA Today, 51-49 on Dec. 30 in the Huntsman Center. The Crimson Tide were the highest-ranked team to ever play the Utes in the Huntsman Center. The Utes had unseated a top-ranked team once before under Rick Majerus, defeating North Carolina 65-59 on March 28, 1998 in the national semifinals at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
* With their win over Alabama on Dec. 30, the Runnin' Utes recorded the 1,500th win in the history of Utah Basketball. Utah became just the 13th NCAA Division I program with 1,500 wins. Utah's current record is 1,504-780. Its all-time winning percentage of .658 currently ranks 10th-best among all NCAA Division I programs.
* Utah is 1-1 against ranked teams this season, falling to No. 20 Gonzaga 71-52 on Nov. 25 in the first round of the Maui Invitational.
* Utah had a season-low nine turnovers in the wins over Alabama and Northern Iowa, and the loss at San Diego State (Jan. 18).
* Utah held San Diego to just 12.5 percent from three-point range, its best defensive effort from long range this season.
* Winthrop shot 27.3 percent (15-for-55) from the field, which was the sixth-worst mark by a Ute opponent all-time. It was the Utes' best defensive effort since Concordia shot 20.3 percent, the lowest mark by a Ute opponent all-time, on Dec. 26, 2000.
* Winthrop's 42 points were the lowest allowed by the Utes in 22 games since Saint Mary's (Calif.) scored 35 points on Jan. 7, 2002.
From Beyond The Arc
Utah is shooting 37.0 percent from three-point range, and has hit at least 40 percent of its long-range tries seven times and 50 percent or better on three occasions.
* Four Utes are shooting over 40 percent from three-point range: Tim Drisdom (46.9), Nick Jacobson (41.7), Tim Frost (41.4) and Marc Jackson (40.0)
* The Utes shot 80.0 percent from three-point range in the first half against IPFW, which was the fourth-best mark for a half in school history. Utah's 14 three-pointers made in the entire game tied the second-best effort all-time at the U. The Utes shot 56.0 percent from three-point range in 25 attempts.
* Utah put up 32 three-point attempts against Northern Iowa, which is the second-most in a single game in school history. It was the most three-point attempts by the Utes since firing 34 against San Diego State on Jan. 16, 1999. The Utes made 12 of those 32 attempts (37.5 percent) against UNI.
* Utah shot a season-best 57.1 percent (8-of-14) from three-point range against Winthrop. It was the Utes' best effort since hitting 66.7 percent (12-of-18) last season at New Mexico on Jan. 21. The Utes hit 5-of-10 three-pointers (50.0 percent) against Massachusetts on Nov. 26 in the Maui Invitational.
* A year ago, the Utes ranked eighth in the nation and first in the Mountain West in three-point percentage (40.5), and shot 50 percent or better from three-point range in four games.
Getting Defensive
One of the trademarks of a Utah team during the Rick Majerus era is a stifling half-court defense. Since 1989-90, Utah has ranked in the top 30 in the nation 10 times in scoring defense, nine times in rebound margin, eight times in field goal percentage defense and eight times in scoring margin.
* This season, Utah ranks ninth in the NCAA in scoring defense (57.8 ppg) as of Jan. 13. Since an 83-79 overtime loss to Arizona State on Nov. 27, the highest point total Utah has surrendered in the next 12 games is 61 points in a win (77-61) over Pepperdine.
* The Utes have held 13 teams under 60 points this season and three teams under 50 points. Alabama scored just 49 points against the Utes on Dec. 30.
* Seven opponents have shot under 40 percent from the field this season. No team has shot 50 percent from the field on Utah in 2002-03.
* Utah has not allowed an opponent to score 80 points in 79 consecutive games that have ended in regulation. The last team to score 80 points on the Utes in a 40-minute game was Wyoming (88-61) on Feb. 28, 2000 in Laramie, Wyo.
* An opponent reached the 80-point mark on Utah for the first time in 70 games in its 83-79 overtime loss to Arizona State on Nov. 27.
* Last season, Utah ranked 13th in the NCAA in scoring defense (61.3).
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