SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah women's basketball team will have 15 of its regular-season games air live on the Pac-12 Networks during the 2016-17 campaign as second-year head coach
Lynne Roberts announced the program's Pac-12 Conference and television schedule on Wednesday.
"The Pac-12 Network is a valuable resource for Utah women's basketball and this conference," Roberts said. "The exposure that comes with having 15 nationally-televised regular-season games is a great way for us to showcase our program."
Utah's Pac-12 Conference slate features 11 games against six teams that earned a spot in last season's NCAA or WNIT Tournaments. All six of those teams advanced in their respective postseason tournaments.
"Playing in a conference like the Pac-12, we realize going into the season that every game is going to be tough, rugged and competitive," Roberts said. "The talent and coaching in this conference is second to none. We are looking forward to the challenge."
Utah makes its Pac-12 Network season debut by hosting BYU on Sat., Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. MT. The Utes hold a 63-39 edge in the all-time series over the Cougars, including a 31-12 mark in Salt Lake City.
After starting league play by visiting NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 participant UCLA (Fri., Dec. 30) and USC (Sun., Jan. 1), 14 of Utah's next 16 contests will air live on Pac-12 Network.
Utah returns to the Jon M. Huntsman Center for a four-game homestand, beginning against Arizona State (Fri., Jan. 6) followed by Arizona (Sun., Jan. 8). The Sun Devils advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2015-16.
During the following weekend, Utah is visited by 2016 NCAA Elite Eight qualifier Stanford (Fri., Jan. 13) and California (Sun., Jan. 15). The Utes took two out of three meetings from the Golden Bears last season.
The Utes then hit the road for a three-game swing during the following weekend starting at 2016 NCAA Final Four participant Oregon State (Fri., Jan. 20) before going to Oregon (Sun., Jan. 22).
They conclude the stretch with the front end of their annual home and home with Colorado (Wed., Jan. 25) before hosting the Buffaloes on Sat., Jan. 28. The Utes swept the Buffaloes last season with a 71-55 win in Salt Lake City followed by a 76-68 victory in Boulder.
Utah stays in Salt Lake City for a pair of contests against Washington, a 2016 NCAA Final Four team (Fri., Feb. 3), and Washington State (Sun., Feb. 5) (not televised). The Utes took an 88-83 victory over the Huskies during their meeting in the Huntsman Center after making 26 of 31 (83.9%) attempts from the free throw line. Utah also outlasted WSU in last season's Pac-12 opener, 73-71.
The 'second round' of Pac-12 play begins with Utah traveling to the Bay Area to face California (Fri., Feb. 10) and Stanford (Sun., Feb. 12) before returning to the Huntsman Center to host Oregon (Fri., Feb. 17) and Oregon State (Sun., Feb. 19).
For the second straight year, the Utes conclude their regular season with a trip to the Evergreen State, starting against Washington State in Pullman (Thur., Feb. 23) before the regular-season finale versus Washington in Seattle (Sat., Feb. 25). The contest at UW will not be televised.
The Pac-12 Tournament will be held in Seattle's KeyArena Thur.-Sun., Mar. 2-5 with all games before the championship round televised live on the Pac-12 Networks. The Pac-12 Tournament title game on Mar. 5 will air on ESPN.
Go to
utahtickets.com or call 801-581-UTIX (884) right now to ensure that you don't miss a minute of the Utah Women's Basketball action this season.
Learn more about the Pac-12 Networks and search for the channels where you can watch the Utes at pac-12.com.
The Utes return four starters from last year's team that reached the third round of the WNIT, the program's first postseason appearance since the 2012-13 season. Redshirt junior forward
Emily Potter was a Pac-12 All-Conference Team selection, while senior wing
Paige Crozon earned honorable mention recognition.