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Thursday, November 16
Charleston, SC
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
Wake Forest
Runnin' Utes Open Charleston Classic with Wake Forest Thursday Night on ESPNU
11/14/2023 3:59 PM | Men's Basketball
The Utah men’s basketball team opens the Charleston Classic with Wake Forest this Thursday on ESPNU.
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah men's basketball team will get its first challenge of the season when it heads to Charleston, S.C., for the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic this Thursday, Nov. 16, when it battles Wake Forest inside TD Arena with Jay Alter calling the action alongside Debbie Antonelli on ESPNU at 7 p.m. (MT) / 9 p.m. (ET) local.
SCOUTING THE DEMON DEACONS
Wake Forest was picked to finish sixth in the ACC Preseason Polls and currently sits at 1-1 on the year led by third-year head coach Steve Forbes. The Demon Deacons opened up with a resounding 101-78 victory over Elon before falling to a tough Georgia Bulldogs team on the road 80-77.
The Deacs have had a tight rotation so far through two games, with nine players seeing action. Cameron Hildreth, a 6-4 junior guard, is averaging 22.5 points and 4.0 rebounds with a .548 shooting clip to lead Wake Forest while big man Andrew Carr is right behind him averaging 21.0 points and 8.5 rebounds with a deadly .650 shooting clip.
Redshirt sophomore Kevin Miller isn't two far off Hildreth and Carr, averaging 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Hunter Sallis rounds out the scoring quartet for the Deacs averaging 16.0 points.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Coming into the week as the No. 6 team in the country, Houston continues to be a powerhouse in college basketball under the direction of veteran head coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars head into the opening game of the Charleston Classic 3-0 after defeating Stetson Monday night at home. UH has been ranked in the AP Top-25 for 66-consecutive weeks now and the seventh-straight season it has been ranked at least one week during the year.
LJ Cryer leads a trio of players averaging in double-figures through three games for Houston averaging 15.0 points while Damien Dunn and Emanuel Sharp are both averaging 12.7 points. Ja'Vier Francis is averaging 9.3 points and 5.0 boards while point man Jamal Shead is averaging 4.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
As a team, the Cougars are shooting 45.4-percent from the field while holding opponents to just a .333 shooting clip and 30.7 boards per game. However, the defense has turned opponents over 45 times already with their three foes so far averaging 21.7 turnovers.
SCOUTING THE TOWSON TIGERS
Towson heads into this week's MTE 2-1 on the season with its lone loss coming to fellow Pac-12 foe Colorado on opening night, 75-57, in Boulder. The Tigers rebounded with a 70-49 victory over Coppin State on the road before returning home to eke out a narrow victory against Robert Morris 66-62.
Freshman Tyler Tejada currently leads Towson offensively, averaging 12.0 points and 3.7 rebounds with a .500 shooting clip. Charles Thompson, a fifth-year player for the Tigers, is nearly averaging a double-double, posting 11.3 points per game and 9.0 boards per game to go with his .500 shooting clip. Sophomore Christian May has been consistent for Towson, averaging 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds. Sophomore Dylan Williams is averaging 7.7 points and 5.0 assists off the bench for the Tigers while senior Messiah Jones is scoring 7.0 points per game with a 5.3 rebounding average.
CHARLESTON CLASSIC RUNDOWN
In addition to playing Wake Forest and the winner or loser between #6/6 Houston and Towson, the Utes will battle it out on Sunday against St. John's, North Texas, Dayton or LSU from the other side of the bracket.
SMITH IN MTE'S
Heading into his third season at Utah, head coach Craig Smith has led the Runnin' Utes to the Sunshine Slam Championship his first year and led team to the title game last season at the Ft. Myers Tip-Off.
2021-22
Sunshine Slam
Daytona Beach, FL
1 – Defeated Bethune-Cookman 86-55
2 – Defeated Boston College 68-61
3 – Defeated Tulsa 72-58
2022-23
Ft. Myers Tip-Off
Ft. Myers, FL
1 – Defeated Georgia Tech 68-64
2 – Lost to #RV Mississippi State 52-49
LAST TIME OUT
The Utes had another great showing last time out with five players reaching double-figures in their 82-53 win over UC Riverside. Utah was led by Lawson Lovering's game-high 18 points and 7 rebounds while Branden Carlson chipped in with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Cole Bajema, the lone guard in double-digits, added 13 points and 5 boards himself while Ben Carlson and Keba Keita rounded things out with 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
Utah's front four of Lovering, Branden Carlson, Ben Carlson and Keita combined to outscore the Highlanders 55-53 and nearly outrebounded UCR, pulling down 26 rebounds to its 30 while winning the battle of the boards 52-30. The Utes dominated the paint in that game as well, outscoring the Highlanders 42-18.
UP NEXT
After its opening game at the Charleston Classic, the Utes will play Houston or Towson on Friday, Nov. 17. Times and TV Network is still TBD based on results from Thursday's opening round. Utah will have Saturday off in Charleston before playing its final game on Sunday, Nov. 19.
LOOKING HEAD
The Runnin' Utes will have a week to regroup and prepare for their lone true road game at St. Mary's on Monday, Nov. 27. Utah leads the all-time series 15-3 including a 2-1 edge when playing on the road versus the Gaels with the Utes taking the last meeting 67-58 in overtime on March 21, 2018, in the third round of the NIT.
FRONT COURT MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN
Utah's front court had quite the game last week against UC Riverside with the corps of Branden Carlson, Lawson Lovering, Ben Carlson and Keba Keita combining for 55 points to outscore the Highlanders – who totaled 53 points.
Lawson nearly had a career-high but finished with a game-high 18 points and 7 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting while Branden Carlson chipped in with 16 points and 6 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting to go with a perfect 5-for-5 evening from the line. Ben Carlson added 11 points and 6 boards with no turnovers off the bench with Keita rounding this out with nearly another double-double, posting 10 points with 7 rebounds and two huge blocks.
In addition to their 55 points, the front four combined to shoot 60-percent (21-for-35) from the floor and also accounted for half of the team's rebounds with 26 boards between them.
SKYSCRAPERS
As of Monday, Nov. 13, Utah is the second-tallest team in the country according to KenPom with an average height of 79.4 and trails just Florida State (79.5).
Lawson Lovering – 7-1
Branden Carlson 7-0
Ben Carlson – 6-9
Keba Keita – 6-8
STANDING TALL
Utah is 1-of-11 teams in the country at the Division I level to have multiple 7-footers on its team while the Pac-12 has three times with multiple 7-footers. Colorado transfer Lawson Lovering stands at 7-1 while Branden Carlson checks in at 7-0.
Arizona – 4
Oregon State – 3
Duke – 2
Santa Clara – 2
Saint Joseph's – 2
St. Mary's – 2
Stony Brooke – 2
Syracuse – 2
Utah – 2
UTRGV – 2
Youngstown State – 2
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram.
SCOUTING THE DEMON DEACONS
Wake Forest was picked to finish sixth in the ACC Preseason Polls and currently sits at 1-1 on the year led by third-year head coach Steve Forbes. The Demon Deacons opened up with a resounding 101-78 victory over Elon before falling to a tough Georgia Bulldogs team on the road 80-77.
The Deacs have had a tight rotation so far through two games, with nine players seeing action. Cameron Hildreth, a 6-4 junior guard, is averaging 22.5 points and 4.0 rebounds with a .548 shooting clip to lead Wake Forest while big man Andrew Carr is right behind him averaging 21.0 points and 8.5 rebounds with a deadly .650 shooting clip.
Redshirt sophomore Kevin Miller isn't two far off Hildreth and Carr, averaging 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Hunter Sallis rounds out the scoring quartet for the Deacs averaging 16.0 points.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Coming into the week as the No. 6 team in the country, Houston continues to be a powerhouse in college basketball under the direction of veteran head coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars head into the opening game of the Charleston Classic 3-0 after defeating Stetson Monday night at home. UH has been ranked in the AP Top-25 for 66-consecutive weeks now and the seventh-straight season it has been ranked at least one week during the year.
LJ Cryer leads a trio of players averaging in double-figures through three games for Houston averaging 15.0 points while Damien Dunn and Emanuel Sharp are both averaging 12.7 points. Ja'Vier Francis is averaging 9.3 points and 5.0 boards while point man Jamal Shead is averaging 4.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
As a team, the Cougars are shooting 45.4-percent from the field while holding opponents to just a .333 shooting clip and 30.7 boards per game. However, the defense has turned opponents over 45 times already with their three foes so far averaging 21.7 turnovers.
SCOUTING THE TOWSON TIGERS
Towson heads into this week's MTE 2-1 on the season with its lone loss coming to fellow Pac-12 foe Colorado on opening night, 75-57, in Boulder. The Tigers rebounded with a 70-49 victory over Coppin State on the road before returning home to eke out a narrow victory against Robert Morris 66-62.
Freshman Tyler Tejada currently leads Towson offensively, averaging 12.0 points and 3.7 rebounds with a .500 shooting clip. Charles Thompson, a fifth-year player for the Tigers, is nearly averaging a double-double, posting 11.3 points per game and 9.0 boards per game to go with his .500 shooting clip. Sophomore Christian May has been consistent for Towson, averaging 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds. Sophomore Dylan Williams is averaging 7.7 points and 5.0 assists off the bench for the Tigers while senior Messiah Jones is scoring 7.0 points per game with a 5.3 rebounding average.
CHARLESTON CLASSIC RUNDOWN
In addition to playing Wake Forest and the winner or loser between #6/6 Houston and Towson, the Utes will battle it out on Sunday against St. John's, North Texas, Dayton or LSU from the other side of the bracket.
| ST. JOHN'S 2023-24 Record: 1-1 ALL-TIME VS. ST. JOHN'S Overall: 1-1 Home: 0-0 Away: 0-0 Neutral: 1-1 |
NORTH TEXAS 2023-24 Record: 2-0 ALL-TIME VS. UNT Overall: 1-0 Home: 1-0 Away: 0-0 Neutral: 0-0 |
DAYTON 2023-24 Record: 1-1 ALL-TIME VS. DAYTON Overall: 1-1 Home: 0-0 Away: 0-0 Neutral: 1-1 |
LSU 2023-24 Record: 1-1 ALL-TIME VS. LSU Overall: 4-1 Home: 3-0 Away: 1-1 Neutral: 0-0 |
SMITH IN MTE'S
Heading into his third season at Utah, head coach Craig Smith has led the Runnin' Utes to the Sunshine Slam Championship his first year and led team to the title game last season at the Ft. Myers Tip-Off.
2021-22
Sunshine Slam
Daytona Beach, FL
1 – Defeated Bethune-Cookman 86-55
2 – Defeated Boston College 68-61
3 – Defeated Tulsa 72-58
2022-23
Ft. Myers Tip-Off
Ft. Myers, FL
1 – Defeated Georgia Tech 68-64
2 – Lost to #RV Mississippi State 52-49
LAST TIME OUT
The Utes had another great showing last time out with five players reaching double-figures in their 82-53 win over UC Riverside. Utah was led by Lawson Lovering's game-high 18 points and 7 rebounds while Branden Carlson chipped in with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Cole Bajema, the lone guard in double-digits, added 13 points and 5 boards himself while Ben Carlson and Keba Keita rounded things out with 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
Utah's front four of Lovering, Branden Carlson, Ben Carlson and Keita combined to outscore the Highlanders 55-53 and nearly outrebounded UCR, pulling down 26 rebounds to its 30 while winning the battle of the boards 52-30. The Utes dominated the paint in that game as well, outscoring the Highlanders 42-18.
UP NEXT
After its opening game at the Charleston Classic, the Utes will play Houston or Towson on Friday, Nov. 17. Times and TV Network is still TBD based on results from Thursday's opening round. Utah will have Saturday off in Charleston before playing its final game on Sunday, Nov. 19.
LOOKING HEAD
The Runnin' Utes will have a week to regroup and prepare for their lone true road game at St. Mary's on Monday, Nov. 27. Utah leads the all-time series 15-3 including a 2-1 edge when playing on the road versus the Gaels with the Utes taking the last meeting 67-58 in overtime on March 21, 2018, in the third round of the NIT.
FRONT COURT MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN
Utah's front court had quite the game last week against UC Riverside with the corps of Branden Carlson, Lawson Lovering, Ben Carlson and Keba Keita combining for 55 points to outscore the Highlanders – who totaled 53 points.
Lawson nearly had a career-high but finished with a game-high 18 points and 7 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting while Branden Carlson chipped in with 16 points and 6 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting to go with a perfect 5-for-5 evening from the line. Ben Carlson added 11 points and 6 boards with no turnovers off the bench with Keita rounding this out with nearly another double-double, posting 10 points with 7 rebounds and two huge blocks.
In addition to their 55 points, the front four combined to shoot 60-percent (21-for-35) from the floor and also accounted for half of the team's rebounds with 26 boards between them.
SKYSCRAPERS
As of Monday, Nov. 13, Utah is the second-tallest team in the country according to KenPom with an average height of 79.4 and trails just Florida State (79.5).
Lawson Lovering – 7-1
Branden Carlson 7-0
Ben Carlson – 6-9
Keba Keita – 6-8
STANDING TALL
Utah is 1-of-11 teams in the country at the Division I level to have multiple 7-footers on its team while the Pac-12 has three times with multiple 7-footers. Colorado transfer Lawson Lovering stands at 7-1 while Branden Carlson checks in at 7-0.
Arizona – 4
Oregon State – 3
Duke – 2
Santa Clara – 2
Saint Joseph's – 2
St. Mary's – 2
Stony Brooke – 2
Syracuse – 2
Utah – 2
UTRGV – 2
Youngstown State – 2
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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