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
Runnin' Utes Host Idaho To Open Season TONIGHT!
11/9/2009 12:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2009
2009-10 Utah Men's Basketball Season Tickets
2009-10 Utah Men's Basketball Schedule
SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah men's basketball team opens the 2009-10 regular season Friday at the Jon M. Huntsman Center as the Runnin' Utes host Idaho. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Utah holds a 12-2 all-time record against Idaho, including an 11-0 mark at the Huntsman Center. The Runnin' Utes have won nine consecutive games against the Vandals. The two teams have not met since Dec. 27, 1976, when the Utes posted a 102-66 neutral-court victory at the Wolfpack Classic in Reno, Nev. Utah's only losses to the Vandals came in back-to-back neutral-site games during the 1938-39 season.
The last time the two teams faced off in Salt Lake City was the season-opener in the 1975-76 season, when the Utes claimed a 99-79 victory.
The Utes are coming off an 83-70 exhbition victory against Findlay that saw senior forward Kim Tillie (Cagnes-sur-Mer, France) post 18 points and 12 rebounds, while junior guard Carlon Brown (Riverside, Calif.) put up 17 points. Senior guard Luka Drca (Belgrade, Serbia) posted a game-high seven assists. Utah outrebounded the Oilers, 56-32.
Idaho also won its exhibition outing, defeating St. Martin's at home, 87-61. The Vandals were led by Steffan Johnson's 14 points, while three other players chipped in 12. Kyle Barone was the team's top rebounder with nine boards. Third-year head coach of the Runnin' Utes Jim Boylen holds a 42-25 career record, including a 24-10 mark last year. The Vandals are coached by Don Verlin, now beginning his second year. Idaho went 17-16 last year in his inaugural season at the helm.
Boylen is 1-1 in season-opening games. He won his first career contest as a head coach in 2007, beating USC Upstate, 86-52, in Salt Lake City. In 2008, Utah fell to Southwest Baptist at home in the season opener, 80-79, before reeling off five consecutive wins.
Home Sweet Huntsman
With a win against TCU in its final home game of last season, Utah moved to 508-111 (.820) all-time in its current home, the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah captured its 500th win in the 40-year old building with a blowout win against LSU, 91-61, on Dec. 6, 2008.
The Utes finished last season undefeated in conference home games at 8-0 and went 13-2 overall. Going back to last season, the Utes are currently riding an 11-game win streak at home.
In two seasons under head coach Jim Boylen, Utah has posted a 24-6 (.800) mark at the Huntsman Center.
Utes Finished 2009 as Nation's Third-Best Free Throw Team
The Utes shot 78.1% as a team from the free throw line in 2008-09, leading the MWC and earning a No. 3 national ranking among all NCAA Div. I teams.
The Utes shot less than 70% at the line only three times last year, while eclipsing 80% on eight occasions.
Utah has led the MWC at the charity stripe in both years under Boylen.
Utah Went 15-1 When Shooting 50% or Better Last Year
Utah shot over 50% from the field 16 times last season, posting a 15-1 record in those games. The Utes were 9-9 when shooting less than 50%.
Another Top Schedule
In the preseason national rankings, three of Utah's non-conference opponents are listed in the AP/USA Today Top 25 polls: Michigan (15/15), Oklahoma (17/16) and Illinois (23/RV). Up to three more of the Utes' 2009-10 foes are receiving votes in both polls: BYU, Utah State and possible opponent Oklahoma State. San Diego State is also receiving votes in the USA Today poll.
Runnin' Utes on TV
Utah will play at least 20 games on television this year as the Utes continue to receive regional and national exposure. Last year, Utah went 17-8 in televised games.
RPI Watch
Utah finished last season with the No. 14-ranked NCAA RPI. The first official RPI of this year will not be released until the beginning of conference play, however the Utes will watch RealTimeRPI.com, a website that seeks to duplicate the RPI formula used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee to help determine participants in the "Big Dance."
Utah Picked Fourth In MWC
The Runnin' Utes were selected fourth in the MWC preseason coaches and media poll with 143 points. Utah trails BYU (215), San Diego State (166) and UNLV (161).
Players Mentioned
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