Utah Men's Basketball Preview: MWC Semifinals

March 10, 2006

MWC Semifinals

Utah Runnin' Utes (14-14, 6-10) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (13-17, 5-11)
March 10 ? 10:05 p.m. (MST)
Pepsi Center (19,099) ? Denver, Colo.

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Game Data

Television: ESPN. Dave Pasch (play-by-play) and Hubert Davis (analyst).
Radio: Utah Sports Network(Hot Ticket 700/KALL-AM in Salt Lake City and affiliate stations).On the Internet at www.TheMWC.com.Matt Thomas (play-by-play) and Bill Riley (analyst).
Utah Head Coach: Ray Giacoletti       Wyoming Head Coach: Steve McClainAlma Mater: Minot State, 1985         Alma Mater: Chadron State, 1984Record at Utah: 43-20 (2nd Season)    Record at Wyoming: 139-99 (8th Season)Overall Record: 160-103 (9th Season)  Overall Record: 139-99 (8th Season)
Series Record: Utah leads 89-70Utah's Record Home/Away/Neutral: 56-22/31-46/2-2Current Streak: Utah has won 4 in a row.Last Meeting: Utah won 79-70 on March 4, 2006 in Salt Lake City.

Quickly On Utah
The Runnin' Utes are 14-14 overall and placed sixth in the Mountain West Conference with a 6-10 record. Utah has won two in a row and six of its last 11 games. The Utes opened MWC Tournament play with a 74-70 win over BYU on Thursday night in the quarterfinals. Utah closed out the regular season with a 79-70 win over Wyoming at home last Saturday.

Sophomore guard Johnnie Bryant (6-0, 190), a junior college transfer in his first season with the Utes, leads the team in scoring (13.4 ppg) and assists (2.35 apg), and is averaging 2.8 rebounds per game. Bryant is also shooting 46.1 percent (68-of-144) from three-point range and 83.3 percent at the free throw line. Senior forward Bryant Markson (6-7, 198) is second on the team in scoring (13.4 ppg), assists (2.33 apg) and rebounds (5.5 rpg), and leads the way in steals (37). He is also shooting 51.4 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three-point range and 77.0 percent at the free throw line. Freshman center Luke Nevill (7-1, 250) is third on the team in scoring (11.4 ppg), and leads the way in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and blocked shots (26). Nevill is also shooting 54.6 percent from the field.

During the regular season, Utah ranked sixth in the MWC in scoring offense (65.1 ppg), third in scoring defense (64.3 ppg) and first in rebounding margin (+4.6 rpg).

Take Note
? Before winning its last two games by an average of 6.5 points per game, Utah had lost four in a row by an average of five points, including one overtime game.

? Thirteen of the Runnin' Utes' games have been decided by nine points or less, with Utah going 6-7 in those games.

? Utah is playing one redshirt freshman and four other newcomers. Through 28 games, 58.6 percent of the Utes' points, 48.6 percent of their rebounds, 51.8 percent of their assists, and 54.5 percent of their minutes played have come from first-year players.

? The Utes are 12-4 when holding their opponents to 68 points or less this season and 2-10 when allowing 69 points or more. Both of Utah's wins when allowing more than 69 points have come within the last week (79-70 over Wyoming last Saturday and 74-70 against BYU on Thursday).

? Over the last 11 games, Utah has held its opponents to an average of 62.9 points per game on 41.8 percent shooting from the field and 32.8 percent from three-point range. The U. has shot 47.6 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three-point range. The Utes have owned a 33.6 to 26.9 edge in rebounds per game, outworking 10 teams on the glass and matching the effort of the other. However, Utah has also had a -4.0 turnover ratio.

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

MWC Semifinals

Players Mentioned

Johnnie Bryant

Bryant Markson

Luke Nevill

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