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The University of Utah Athletics
Friday, November 10
Salt Lake City, UT
8:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
UC Riverside
Photo by: Hunter Dyke/Utah Athletics
Men's Basketball Entertains UC Riverside Friday Night
11/9/2023 6:16 PM | Men's Basketball
The Utah men’s basketball team looks to stay undefeated at home early on as it hosts UC Riverside on Friday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m. (MT).
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah men's basketball team welcomes in the Highlanders of UC Riverside this Friday, Nov. 10, inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center for an 8 p.m. (MT) tip on Pac-12 Mountain with Drew Goodman and former Runnin' Utes assistant coach Joe Cravens on the call.
RUNNIN' UTE EXPRESS CHANGE FOR FRIDAY'S GAME
With the Utah State High School Athletic Association Football Championships being held at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Runnin' Utes Shuttle WILL NOT be running from the "Guardsman Lot" and ONLY run from the "Eccles Broadcast Lot" this Friday. With the disruption, the shuttles will run at a more frequent rate to the Jon M. Huntsman Center from the "Eccles Broadcast Lot."
In addition, fans can always ride TRAX for FREE with their ticket as part of the #TicketAsFare program.
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS
Nov. 10 vs. UC Riverside
RUNNIN' UTES SIGN A PAIR OF IN-STATE STALWARTS
Utah head men's basketball coach Craig Smith announced the signings of a couple local in-state stalwarts in Jaxon Johnson and David Katoa during the early signing period. Both Johnson and Katoa played on the same with Utah Prospects.
Johnson, who was highly-regarded four-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals and On3, led Alta High School to the UHSAA 5A State Championship his junior year. The Hawks went 24-4 overall last season and was led by Johnson, who was named the 2023 5A MVP after averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.8 blocks per MaxPreps. His accomplishments last season also included all-region, all-state, all-tournament team and tournament MVP honors.
As a sophomore, the 6-8 forward led Alta HS to the quarterfinals of the state championships before finishing 19-7 overall while winning their region with a 10-2 mark. Johnson saw action in 26 games that season, averaging 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals for the Hawks.
Johnson also helped his AAU team, Utah Prospects, to the Adidas National 3SSB Championship this past summer and scored 16 points in the title game to earn tournament MVP honors. Utah Prospects captured the 2023 tournament title after taking runner-up honors the previous year.
Prior to joining the Runnin' Utes, Johnson will serve his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after graduation.
Katoa will join the Runnin' Utes next fall after graduating from Layton High School the spring of 2024. He spent most of his prep career playing for Utah Prep, formerly known as Real Salt Lake Basketball Academy (RSL Academy). The 6-4 guard is a four-star prospect according to ESPN and is a three-star recruit according to 247Sports, Rivals and On3. The Layton native is expected to return for his senior season this winter at LHS.
He saw action in seven games with Utah Prep before tearing his ACL last season. In that short span, Katoa averaged 13.3 points and 4.0 rebounds. As a sophomore, Katoa helped the team post a 20-8 overall record averaging 14.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.0 blocks per MaxPreps. Katoa had a solid freshman season where he averaged 10.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals with then RSL Academy.
Katoa is the youngest in a family of Division I athletes that starts with both his parents. His father was a tight end (1988-90) at BYU while his mother was a distance runner (1990) for the Cougars. Katoa's second oldest sister Mariah started her volleyball career at BYU (2011) before finishing her career at Weber State (2012-14). His sister Eliza was a member of the Utah volleyball team (2014-16) and beach volleyball squad (2017) while his brother Taylor was member of the USC football team (2017, 2020-22). In addition, his sister Lia competed in the throws events at Weber State (2022-23) for two seasons before transferring to BYU.
SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS
UC Riverside's season opener saw it defeat UC Merced 76-69 led by Jhaylon Martinez's double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds and Barrington Hargress' 16 points. UCR's season-opener also made history with it being the first time two University of California school programs were led by Asian head coaches – including UCR's head coach Mike Magpayo – who is the reigning Big West Coach of the Year. The Highlanders are a very veteran team with just four underclassmen in freshman Chip Brunt, redshirt freshman Kaleb Smith, sophomore Nate Pickens and redshirt sophomore Isaiah Moses.
UCR, like Eastern Washington, also has a tough non-conference schedule filled with power five programs starting with Utah and followed by North Carolina, Utah and Washington State.
LAST TIME OUT
The Utes had a great opening night on Monday, defeating Eastern Washington 101-66 inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah had six players reach double-figures and hit the century mark for the first time since 2019 against BYU at home – a 102-95 victory in overtime in favor of the Runnin' Utes.
Gabe Madsen led all scorers with 20 points on five rebounds and 4-of-7 from deep while his fellow sharpshooter Cole Bajema added 17 points – which was just a bucket shy of a new career-high. Rollie Worster flirted with a triple-double once again, posting 15 points with five rebounds, eight assists and six steals. Meanwhile, the front court trio of Branden Carlson, Ben Carlson and Keba Keita all had 11 points each. Keita also pulled down 11 rebounds in the opener for his first-career double-double.
LOOKING AHEAD
After closing out the short homestand to start the 2023-24 campaign, the Utah men's basketball team now heads to Charleston, S.C., for the Shriners Children's Hospital Charleston Classic next week. The Runnin' Utes will open up against Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. (MT) / 9 p.m. (MT) on ESPN2/U. They'll then play either #7/6 Houston or Towson depending on the outcome of both games on Friday, Nov. 17. Utah then has a day off on Saturday (Nov. 18) before playing the final game of the tournament on Sunday, Nov. 19.
DEFENSE IMPROVEMENT
Per the Stat Train, Utah's 7.1 points per game allowed improvement from 2021-22 to 2022-23 was tied for the fifth-best among the Power 6 teams. The Utes held opponents to just 63.8 points per game last season compared to the 70.9 points per game in year one (2021-22).
UP NEXT
The Utes will get their first test of the season as they head to Charleston, S.C., for the Charleston Classic next week. Utah will first battle Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. (MT) on either ESPN2 or ESPNU inside TD Arena.
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.
RUNNIN' UTE EXPRESS CHANGE FOR FRIDAY'S GAME
With the Utah State High School Athletic Association Football Championships being held at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Runnin' Utes Shuttle WILL NOT be running from the "Guardsman Lot" and ONLY run from the "Eccles Broadcast Lot" this Friday. With the disruption, the shuttles will run at a more frequent rate to the Jon M. Huntsman Center from the "Eccles Broadcast Lot."
In addition, fans can always ride TRAX for FREE with their ticket as part of the #TicketAsFare program.
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS
Nov. 10 vs. UC Riverside
- Military Appreciation Night • FREE GA Tickets for Military with ID
- Friday Night Hype • FREE food at Door 4 for first 200 students
- FREE Poster
- FREE Schedule Magnet
RUNNIN' UTES SIGN A PAIR OF IN-STATE STALWARTS
Utah head men's basketball coach Craig Smith announced the signings of a couple local in-state stalwarts in Jaxon Johnson and David Katoa during the early signing period. Both Johnson and Katoa played on the same with Utah Prospects.
Johnson, who was highly-regarded four-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals and On3, led Alta High School to the UHSAA 5A State Championship his junior year. The Hawks went 24-4 overall last season and was led by Johnson, who was named the 2023 5A MVP after averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.8 blocks per MaxPreps. His accomplishments last season also included all-region, all-state, all-tournament team and tournament MVP honors.
As a sophomore, the 6-8 forward led Alta HS to the quarterfinals of the state championships before finishing 19-7 overall while winning their region with a 10-2 mark. Johnson saw action in 26 games that season, averaging 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals for the Hawks.
Johnson also helped his AAU team, Utah Prospects, to the Adidas National 3SSB Championship this past summer and scored 16 points in the title game to earn tournament MVP honors. Utah Prospects captured the 2023 tournament title after taking runner-up honors the previous year.
Prior to joining the Runnin' Utes, Johnson will serve his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after graduation.
Katoa will join the Runnin' Utes next fall after graduating from Layton High School the spring of 2024. He spent most of his prep career playing for Utah Prep, formerly known as Real Salt Lake Basketball Academy (RSL Academy). The 6-4 guard is a four-star prospect according to ESPN and is a three-star recruit according to 247Sports, Rivals and On3. The Layton native is expected to return for his senior season this winter at LHS.
He saw action in seven games with Utah Prep before tearing his ACL last season. In that short span, Katoa averaged 13.3 points and 4.0 rebounds. As a sophomore, Katoa helped the team post a 20-8 overall record averaging 14.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.0 blocks per MaxPreps. Katoa had a solid freshman season where he averaged 10.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals with then RSL Academy.
Katoa is the youngest in a family of Division I athletes that starts with both his parents. His father was a tight end (1988-90) at BYU while his mother was a distance runner (1990) for the Cougars. Katoa's second oldest sister Mariah started her volleyball career at BYU (2011) before finishing her career at Weber State (2012-14). His sister Eliza was a member of the Utah volleyball team (2014-16) and beach volleyball squad (2017) while his brother Taylor was member of the USC football team (2017, 2020-22). In addition, his sister Lia competed in the throws events at Weber State (2022-23) for two seasons before transferring to BYU.
SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS
UC Riverside's season opener saw it defeat UC Merced 76-69 led by Jhaylon Martinez's double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds and Barrington Hargress' 16 points. UCR's season-opener also made history with it being the first time two University of California school programs were led by Asian head coaches – including UCR's head coach Mike Magpayo – who is the reigning Big West Coach of the Year. The Highlanders are a very veteran team with just four underclassmen in freshman Chip Brunt, redshirt freshman Kaleb Smith, sophomore Nate Pickens and redshirt sophomore Isaiah Moses.
UCR, like Eastern Washington, also has a tough non-conference schedule filled with power five programs starting with Utah and followed by North Carolina, Utah and Washington State.
LAST TIME OUT
The Utes had a great opening night on Monday, defeating Eastern Washington 101-66 inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah had six players reach double-figures and hit the century mark for the first time since 2019 against BYU at home – a 102-95 victory in overtime in favor of the Runnin' Utes.
Gabe Madsen led all scorers with 20 points on five rebounds and 4-of-7 from deep while his fellow sharpshooter Cole Bajema added 17 points – which was just a bucket shy of a new career-high. Rollie Worster flirted with a triple-double once again, posting 15 points with five rebounds, eight assists and six steals. Meanwhile, the front court trio of Branden Carlson, Ben Carlson and Keba Keita all had 11 points each. Keita also pulled down 11 rebounds in the opener for his first-career double-double.
Okay sheesh @GabeMadsen53 ??
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 7, 2023
Great W tonight?? pic.twitter.com/N4OkRRTz7u
LOOKING AHEAD
After closing out the short homestand to start the 2023-24 campaign, the Utah men's basketball team now heads to Charleston, S.C., for the Shriners Children's Hospital Charleston Classic next week. The Runnin' Utes will open up against Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. (MT) / 9 p.m. (MT) on ESPN2/U. They'll then play either #7/6 Houston or Towson depending on the outcome of both games on Friday, Nov. 17. Utah then has a day off on Saturday (Nov. 18) before playing the final game of the tournament on Sunday, Nov. 19.
DEFENSE IMPROVEMENT
Per the Stat Train, Utah's 7.1 points per game allowed improvement from 2021-22 to 2022-23 was tied for the fifth-best among the Power 6 teams. The Utes held opponents to just 63.8 points per game last season compared to the 70.9 points per game in year one (2021-22).
UP NEXT
The Utes will get their first test of the season as they head to Charleston, S.C., for the Charleston Classic next week. Utah will first battle Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. (MT) on either ESPN2 or ESPNU inside TD Arena.
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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