Runnin' Utes Look to Bounce Back Saturday at Wyoming

Feb. 28, 2008

University of Utah Runnin' Utes

(15-11, 6-7 Mountain West Conference)

vs.

Wyoming Cowboys

(11-16, 4-10 Mountain West Conference)

Game No. 27 ? Saturday, March 1 ? 2 p.m. MST
Arena-Auditorium ? Laramie, Wyo.

Game Information
Series: Utah leads, 90-72
Series Streak: Wyoming has won 1
Last Meeting: Wyoming 69, Utah 64 (1/30/2008)
Last Meeting in Laramie: Wyoming 86, Utah 78 (2/21/2007)

Television: The Mtn.
Radio: Utah Sports Radio Network
Mike Lageschulte (play by play), Jimmy Soto (color analyst)
UtahUtes.com: Audio/live stats

Complete Release in PDF Format

Utes Look to Bounce Back Saturday at Wyoming
The University of Utah men's basketball team dropped its third straight decision Wednesday night at TCU. Utah will now look to bounce back and avoid its longest losing streak of the season Saturday afternoon at the Arena-Auditorium in Laramie, Wyo. The Utes' contest with Wyoming will air on The Mtn.

Utah enters Saturday's game with a 15-11 overall record and a 6-7 MWC mark. Utah jumped out to an 11-point, first-half lead vs. TCU. But the Horned Frogs closed out the first half on a 13-2 run. Utah missed four free throws in the final 6:10 of the contest, contributing to the loss. Luke Nevill scored 15 points vs. TCU to lead the Utes in scoring, while Tyler Kepkay added 10.

Wyoming comes into Saturday's matchup with an 11-16 overall record and a 4-10 mark in MWC play. The Cowboys snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday, picking up a 77-67 win over Colorado State. Wyoming has only won back-to-back games once all season, defeating CSU and Utah in consecutive outings back in late January.

Runnin' Ute Fast Breaks
? Two Utah players are averaging double-digit points per game, while three more average 7.7 or more.
? Utah has had the edge in bench points 21 times in 26 games this year. But the Utes' reserves were outscored by their opponent's reserves for the second straight game at TCU Wednesday.
? Utah has held six different opponents to 54 points or less this season. The Runnin' Utes did not hold a single 2006-07 opponent to less than 55 points.
? Utah holds a 511-328 (.609) record against current members of the Mountain West Conference. The Utes have a winning record against every other member of the league.
? The Runnin' Utes currently rank No. 1 in the MWC in field-goal percentage. Utah is converting at a .482 clip from the field, which also ranks 20th in the nation in the latest NCAA rankings.
? Utah is No. 3 in the MWC in scoring defense, allowing 62.4 points per game. The Runnin' Utes have held all but three of their opponents under their current averages in regulation play this season.

One Win Needed
One more victory for the Runnin' Utes this season will assure them of their first winning season since 2004-05. Utah was 14-15 overall in 2005-06 and 11-19 in 2006-07. The Utes have a 15-11 record and are assured of at least four more games. Therefore, 16 wins would give Utah a winning record, which would be a first for every player on the roster with the exception of Chris Grant, who played in 2004-05.

Notes On Nevill
Junior center Luke Nevill ranked ninth in the nation in field-goal percentage last season, shooting .637. The 7-foot 1-inch Aussie hasn't been quite that hot this season. After a 5-of-9 performance at TCU, he is currently converting at a .541 clip, which ranks No. 2 in the MWC and No. 64 in the nation. Nevill's 1.62 blocked shots per game lead the league and also rank No. 74 in the nation. His 42 rejections this season are the most for a Ute since Andrew Bogut swatted 65 shots in 2004-05.

-UU-

Upcoming Events

Recent Results