Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Nevada [Exh] on October 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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Men's Basketball
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Sunday, December 31
Salt Lake City, UT
4:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
Washington
@UtahMBB Closes Out Opening Weekend of Pac-12 Play with Washington at 4PM on NYE
12/30/2023 3:46 PM | Men's Basketball
The Utah men’s basketball team closes out the first week of conference play with Washington on Sunday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m. (MT).
SALT LAKE CITY – The #RV/RV Utah men's basketball team looks to close the 2023 calendar year and the opening weekend of Pac-12 play on a high-note in its New Year's Eve game against Washington at 4 p.m. (MT) on Sunday, Dec. 31, inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center. A.J. Kanell will have the call alongside Don MacLean on Pac-12 Networks as the Runnin' Utes put their seven-game win-streak on the line to end the year.
MAD(SEN) WORLD
Utah guard Gabe Madsen is enjoying a solid season so far, averaging 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals with a deadly .500 shooting clip – including a .457 clip from beyond the arc. The Rochester, Minn., native has led the team in scoring five times this season – including a career-high 29 points against then #6/6 Houston at the Charleston Classic where he drained a career-high eight 3-pointers – which was good for second-most in program history.
Madsen has been on a good tear for Utah in its last five games, averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals. Meanwhile, the sharpshooter owns a .474 shooting clip from beyond the arc with 18 made 3-pointers while shooting .482 overall for the Utes. His 16.2 points per game during the latest 5-game stretch for Utah trails only Branden Carlson (16.5ppg).
VETERANS FOR 20
Gabe Madsen's 20 second-half points against Washington State was the second time this season a Ute has score 20 points in a half since Branden Carlson's 20-point second half performance against Wake Forest at the Charleston Classic opener. Madsen's 20-point second-half was also the first time a Runnin' Ute had 20 points in a in Pac-12 play since Carlson posted 21 points in the first half against Wazzu last season.
MAYHEM IN THE MOUNTAINS
Since Utah and Colorado joined the Conference of Champions, the mountain schools have swept the Washington schools at home four times (2019-20, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2013-14). Meanwhile, with its loss on Friday at Colorado, Utah looks to sweep the mountain schools at home for the sixth-time since joining the league (2020-21, 2019-20, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2013-14).
ADVANTAGE UTES
Utah enjoyed success against Washington early on when it joined the Pac-12, going 10-3 against the Huskies but UW has had the best of the Utes in the last 10 meetings thanks to a 6-4 edge. However, Utah holds an 8-3 lead against Washington when playing inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center during that same stretch.
HOME PAC-12 OPENERS
In the 13 seasons since joining the Pac-12, Utah has only opened conference play at home five times – including this weekend. In those instances, this season is just the third time the Utes have hosted a pair of games at home to open league play.
2013-14: 1-1 vs. UO/OSU
2014-15: 2-0 vs. USC/UCLA
2016-17: 1-0 vs. CU
2020-21: 1-0 vs. UW (COVID-19 Season)
2023-24: 1-0 vs. WSU /
BOLD denotes win
SECURRRITY!
Utah committed just 5 turnovers in its 80-58 victory over Washington State in its Pac-12 opener – which was the lowest number of turnovers this season. Per Stats Perform, it is just the 12th time dating back to the 1996-97 season that Utah has committed 5 or less turnovers in a game – two of which have occurred under head coach Craig Smith (2/3/22 vs. Oregon State). Of the 12 instances, Utah has committed 5 turnovers in nine of those games.
Dec. 29, 2017 – 3 turnovers at Oregon (W, 66-56)
Jan. 21, 2015 – 4 turnovers vs. Washington State (W, 86-64)
Dec. 28, 1998 – 4 turnovers vs. Wake Forest (W, 63-45)
BIG WINS OVER WAZZU
With its 80-58 win over Washington State, the Runnin' Utes have now defeated the Cougars by 20-plus points on nine different occasions in program history – five of which have occurred in the Pac-12 Era. The 22-point victory was third for the third-most in the Pac-12 Era and tied for the sixth-largest margin of victory all-time against Washington State.
Pac-12 Era
41 – Feb. 14 2016 in SLC (88-47)
41 – Jan. 18, 2017 in Pullman (88-47)
22 – Dec. 29, 2023 in SLC (80-58)
22 – Jan. 21, 2015 in SLC (86-64)
21 – Jan. 21, 2016 in Pullman (92-71)
Non-Pac-12 Era
35 – Dec. 17, 1955 in SLC (91-56)
31 – Dec. 19, 1963 in SLC (102-71)
24 – Dec. 16, 2000 in SLC (87-63)
22 – Dec. 23, 1957 in SLC (70-48)
BIG MAN DISH
After dishing out a career-high 5 assists in Utah's Pac-12 opener against Washington State, Branden Carlson became the first 7-footer for Utah since Jakob Poeltl (1/21/16 at WSU) to record 5 dimes in a game.
AGAINST THE ODDS
Per Stats Perform, there have been 10 instances in the Pac-12 Era where a team has allowed opponents to record 24 offensive rebounds and have still managed to secure the victory. Of those 10 games, four have won by 20-plus points and only two of those games have occurred in league play.
LAST TIME OUT
It was a tale of two halves for Utah in its Pac-12 opener against Washington State. The Utes were sluggish to start offensively and was hanging on to a 31-29 going into the half. Utah also saw its lead slip away early on in the second-half before Gabe Madsen's 3-pointer at the 14:19 minute jump-started a 43-16 run for the Runnin' Utes to close out with the lop-sided victory, 80-58. Madsen scored all 20 of his points in the second half while Branden Carlson stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. Keba Keita was electric off the bench once again posting 18 rebounds with a career-tying 11 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting with 3 blocks. Rollie Worster did what he does best with 11 points and 7 assists.
UP NEXT
Utah will hit the road for the first time in Pac-12 play next week when it travels to the Grand Canyon State to battle the Sun Devils of Arizona State on Thursday, Jan. 4. Dave Feldman will have the call alongside Corey Williams on the ESPN2 broadcast with tip-off set for 9 p.m. (MT).
LOOKING AHEAD
The Utes close out their first road trip of league play two days later against current No. 4/4 Arizona on Saturday, Jan. 6, inside McKale Center at 6 p.m. (MT). Daron Sutton and Matt Muehlebach will have the call on Pac-12 Networks as Utah stares down its final chance to earn a victory in Tucson since joining the Pac-12. The last time Utah secured a win inside McKale Center dated back to Dec. 6, 1986, (68-67) when the Wildcats were ranked No. 20.
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.
MAD(SEN) WORLD
Utah guard Gabe Madsen is enjoying a solid season so far, averaging 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals with a deadly .500 shooting clip – including a .457 clip from beyond the arc. The Rochester, Minn., native has led the team in scoring five times this season – including a career-high 29 points against then #6/6 Houston at the Charleston Classic where he drained a career-high eight 3-pointers – which was good for second-most in program history.
Madsen has been on a good tear for Utah in its last five games, averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals. Meanwhile, the sharpshooter owns a .474 shooting clip from beyond the arc with 18 made 3-pointers while shooting .482 overall for the Utes. His 16.2 points per game during the latest 5-game stretch for Utah trails only Branden Carlson (16.5ppg).
VETERANS FOR 20
Gabe Madsen's 20 second-half points against Washington State was the second time this season a Ute has score 20 points in a half since Branden Carlson's 20-point second half performance against Wake Forest at the Charleston Classic opener. Madsen's 20-point second-half was also the first time a Runnin' Ute had 20 points in a in Pac-12 play since Carlson posted 21 points in the first half against Wazzu last season.
MAYHEM IN THE MOUNTAINS
Since Utah and Colorado joined the Conference of Champions, the mountain schools have swept the Washington schools at home four times (2019-20, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2013-14). Meanwhile, with its loss on Friday at Colorado, Utah looks to sweep the mountain schools at home for the sixth-time since joining the league (2020-21, 2019-20, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2013-14).
ADVANTAGE UTES
Utah enjoyed success against Washington early on when it joined the Pac-12, going 10-3 against the Huskies but UW has had the best of the Utes in the last 10 meetings thanks to a 6-4 edge. However, Utah holds an 8-3 lead against Washington when playing inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center during that same stretch.
HOME PAC-12 OPENERS
In the 13 seasons since joining the Pac-12, Utah has only opened conference play at home five times – including this weekend. In those instances, this season is just the third time the Utes have hosted a pair of games at home to open league play.
2013-14: 1-1 vs. UO/OSU
2014-15: 2-0 vs. USC/UCLA
2016-17: 1-0 vs. CU
2020-21: 1-0 vs. UW (COVID-19 Season)
2023-24: 1-0 vs. WSU /
BOLD denotes win
SECURRRITY!
Utah committed just 5 turnovers in its 80-58 victory over Washington State in its Pac-12 opener – which was the lowest number of turnovers this season. Per Stats Perform, it is just the 12th time dating back to the 1996-97 season that Utah has committed 5 or less turnovers in a game – two of which have occurred under head coach Craig Smith (2/3/22 vs. Oregon State). Of the 12 instances, Utah has committed 5 turnovers in nine of those games.
Dec. 29, 2017 – 3 turnovers at Oregon (W, 66-56)
Jan. 21, 2015 – 4 turnovers vs. Washington State (W, 86-64)
Dec. 28, 1998 – 4 turnovers vs. Wake Forest (W, 63-45)
BIG WINS OVER WAZZU
With its 80-58 win over Washington State, the Runnin' Utes have now defeated the Cougars by 20-plus points on nine different occasions in program history – five of which have occurred in the Pac-12 Era. The 22-point victory was third for the third-most in the Pac-12 Era and tied for the sixth-largest margin of victory all-time against Washington State.
Pac-12 Era
41 – Feb. 14 2016 in SLC (88-47)
41 – Jan. 18, 2017 in Pullman (88-47)
22 – Dec. 29, 2023 in SLC (80-58)
22 – Jan. 21, 2015 in SLC (86-64)
21 – Jan. 21, 2016 in Pullman (92-71)
Non-Pac-12 Era
35 – Dec. 17, 1955 in SLC (91-56)
31 – Dec. 19, 1963 in SLC (102-71)
24 – Dec. 16, 2000 in SLC (87-63)
22 – Dec. 23, 1957 in SLC (70-48)
BIG MAN DISH
After dishing out a career-high 5 assists in Utah's Pac-12 opener against Washington State, Branden Carlson became the first 7-footer for Utah since Jakob Poeltl (1/21/16 at WSU) to record 5 dimes in a game.
AGAINST THE ODDS
Per Stats Perform, there have been 10 instances in the Pac-12 Era where a team has allowed opponents to record 24 offensive rebounds and have still managed to secure the victory. Of those 10 games, four have won by 20-plus points and only two of those games have occurred in league play.
| DATE | TEAM | OPPONENT | OREBS ALLOWED | SCORE | MARGIN OF VICTORY |
| 12/14/16 | #2 UCLA | UC Santa Barbara | 24 | 102-62 | 40 |
| 01/05/20 | Washington | USC | 24 | 72-40 | 32 |
| 11/06/18 | #14 Oregon | Portland State | 25 | 84-57 | 27 |
| 12/29/23 | #RV Utah | Washington State | 24 | 80-58 | 22 |
LAST TIME OUT
It was a tale of two halves for Utah in its Pac-12 opener against Washington State. The Utes were sluggish to start offensively and was hanging on to a 31-29 going into the half. Utah also saw its lead slip away early on in the second-half before Gabe Madsen's 3-pointer at the 14:19 minute jump-started a 43-16 run for the Runnin' Utes to close out with the lop-sided victory, 80-58. Madsen scored all 20 of his points in the second half while Branden Carlson stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. Keba Keita was electric off the bench once again posting 18 rebounds with a career-tying 11 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting with 3 blocks. Rollie Worster did what he does best with 11 points and 7 assists.
UP NEXT
Utah will hit the road for the first time in Pac-12 play next week when it travels to the Grand Canyon State to battle the Sun Devils of Arizona State on Thursday, Jan. 4. Dave Feldman will have the call alongside Corey Williams on the ESPN2 broadcast with tip-off set for 9 p.m. (MT).
LOOKING AHEAD
The Utes close out their first road trip of league play two days later against current No. 4/4 Arizona on Saturday, Jan. 6, inside McKale Center at 6 p.m. (MT). Daron Sutton and Matt Muehlebach will have the call on Pac-12 Networks as Utah stares down its final chance to earn a victory in Tucson since joining the Pac-12. The last time Utah secured a win inside McKale Center dated back to Dec. 6, 1986, (68-67) when the Wildcats were ranked No. 20.
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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