Game 16 vs. #14 UCLA (BLACKOUT) Date: Friday, Jan. 12 Time: 8 p.m. MT Location: Salt Lake City, Utah (Jon M. Huntsman Center) TV: Pac-12 Networks Talent: Krista Blunk Radio: Utah Radio Sports Network (ESPN 700) Talent: Tyson Ewing (2nd year) Live Stats: UtahUtes.com
Game 17 vs. USC Date: Sunday, Jan. 14 Time: 12 p.m. MT Location: Salt Lake City, Utah (Jon M. Huntsman Center) TV: Pac-12 Networks Talent: Krista Blunk, Joan Bonvincini Radio: Utah Radio Sports Network (ESPN 700) Talent: Tyson Ewing (2nd year) Live Stats: UtahUtes.com
The Basics: The University of Utah women's basketball team is set for the third week of Pac-12 play, hosting No. 14 UCLA on Friday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m., followed by the USC Women of Troy on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 12 p.m. Both games will air on the Pac-12 Networks (Pac-12 Mountain, Pac-12 Los Angeles).
Home Sweet Home: The Utes are 497-103 all-time in the Jon M. Huntsman Center, holding a winning home record for three straight seasons and in five of the last six seasons. The Utes are 8-1 in Salt Lake City this season.
Game Promotions: Utah's game against UCLA will be its annual BLACKOUT where fans can get free admission if they wear black. The first 400 fans at the game will receive a Utah basketball blackout shirt. Friday's game is also National Glazed Donut Day with the first 100 fans getting a free donut. Sunday against USC is Yoga in the Huntsman. There will be a yoga session on the Huntsman floor following the game. Fans can register online here.
About the Bruins: The UCLA Bruins enter the game against Utah ranked No. 14 in the AP and USA Today/WBCA Coaches Polls, sitting at 11-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play. UCLA lost to Stanford on the road to start the Pac-12 season, but rallied to pick up two straight wins over top-25 ranked opponents (California, Oregon State). They are coming off a loss to No. 9 Oregon (70-61). They are being led by Monique Billings, who is averaging 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
About the Trojans: Similar to UCLA, the Women of Troy enter this weekend 11-4 overall and will take on Colorado on Friday night before heading to Salt Lake City. USC has hit a skid in conference play, sitting at 1-3 overall with losses against California, Stanford and Oregon after going 10-1 during the non-conference season. They are led by Kristen Simon, who is averaging 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, ranking third and fifth in those categories in the Pac-12.
By the Numbers:
• 81: Utah is averaging 81.3 points per game in Pac-12 play, ranking first in the conference.
• 46: Utah has 46 wins under the direction of Lynne Roberts.
• 18: Utah is outscoring its opponents by an average of 18 points per game, ranking 17th in the NCAA.
• 11: Utah out-rebounds its opponents by an average of 11 per game, ranking sixth in the NCAA.
• 9: Out of Utah's 15-person roster, nine athletes are 6-0 or taller.
• 3: Utah received three votes in this week's AP Top 25 Poll.
How to Tune in: Both games this weekend will be on the Pac-12 Networks with Krista Blunk calling the action against UCLA and then being joined by Joan Bonvincini on Sunday against USC. Live stats will be provided at UtahUtes.com with play-by-play action being called by Tyson Ewing on ESPN 700. Follow @UTAHWBB on Twitter/Instagram for updates.
Utes vs. The Pac-12: The Utes are 100-138 against the current members of the Pac-12. Since joining the Pac-12 in 2011-12, Utah is 39-73 in conference play.
Last time Out: After trailing for over 35 minutes and being down by as many as 13 points, Utah was able to pull off an 81-79 victory on the road at Washington State on Jan. 7. Utah outscored WSU 21-12 in the fourth quarter, including two free throws from Tilar Clark with less than a second on the clock to clinch the victory. Daneesha Provo led the Utes with 22 points and a career-high nine rebounds. Megan Huff scored 14 with seven rebounds while Erika Bean and Emily Potter added 11 points each.
Provo Proving Points: With her 22 points at Washington State (1/7), Daneesha Provo has now scored in the 20-point range in three of the last four games. She is averaging 21.0 points per game in Pac-12 play, ranking second in the league. She was one of just two players in the Pac-12 to score 20+ points in back-to-back games over the weekend.
Sweep, Sweep: Utah came away last weekend with wins over Washington (1/5) and Washington State (1/7), both on the road. It was the first time since joining the Pac-12 that the Utes have finished with a road sweep.
Provo on the Line: Daneesha Provo started the season 11-for-11 from the free throw line and at one point ranked first in the country in free throw percentage. Fast forward to the start of conference play and Provo is a perfect 14-for-14 from the free throw line, ranking first in the Pac-12 through four games.
Both Sides: Through 15 games this season, Utah ranks No. 2 in scoring offense (78.7) and No. 5 in scoring defense (60.3) in the Pac-12. The Utes are one of just three teams ranked in the top-three in both (UCLA, Oregon State).