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Wednesday, March 27
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
VCU
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Men's Basketball Entertains VCU in NIT Quarterfinals Wednesday Night
3/25/2024 4:39 PM | Men's Basketball
Utah men’s basketball hosts VCU this Wednesday, March 27, in the NIT quarterfinals at 7 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN2.
SALT LAKE CITY – Wednesday, March 27, will serve as the final chance Utah men's basketball fans will get to see the Runnin' Utes inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center as it hosts to VCU in the NIT quarterfinals for a spot in Indianapolis to play for the NIT Championship. Dave Feldman and Corey Williams will once again guide fans through the action on ESPN2 beginning at 7 p.m. (MDT) as the Runnin' Utes and Rams square off for the first time in program history in a battle of the former bench bosses at Utah State.
NIT NOTES
Through two games in the NIT, Deivon Smith has dished out a total of 20 assists with a double-double and a triple-double. He is just the fifth player since 1996-97 per Stat Perform to record at least 20 assists through two games in the NIT.
20+ ASSISTS IN TWO NIT GAMES PLAYED
TOP NOTCH
Through 26 games, Deivon Smith is averaging 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists and is the only player in NCAA Division I to average those numbers. Additionally, he is just 1-of-11 players to average at least 12.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists dating back to 1996-97 per Stats Perform.
MADSEN MAKIN' MOVES
Utah guard Gabe Madsen had an electric night offensively, scoring a career-high 31 points on 7-of-15 shooting from 3-point range. The Rochester, Minn., product scored 19 of his 31 in the first half and then 12 in the second frame – all from beyond the arc.
GAMES PLAYED ALL-TIME
Utah's Gabe Madsen, Cole Bajema, Ben Carlson and Hunter Erickson are now tied with a dozen 14 other players from five different seasons for the second-most games played in a single-season (35) after Sunday's contest vs. Iowa. The quartet will tie seven other players from the 2015-16 (5) and 1950-51 (2) team with 36 games played on Wednesday in Utah's NIT quarterfinals match-up against VCU. The 2023-24 season will also tie the 2015-16 and 1950-51 seasons for the most games played in a single year.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Utah converted 8 Iowa turnovers into 20 points on Sunday, making it just the fourth time this season the Utes have scored 20-plus points in that category.
March 24, 2024 – vs. Iowa – 20
Dec. 29, 2023 – vs. Washington State – 20
Dec. 20, 2023 – vs. Bellarmine – 28
Nov. 19, 2023 – vs. #RV/RV St. John's – 24
30 BURGERS
With 31 points on Sunday vs. Iowa in the second round of the NIT, Gabe Madsen became the second Runnin' Ute this season to score 30-plus points in a game and the fifth instance this season – the other four belonging to Branden Carlson. Per Stats Perform, Madsen and Carlson are the only Utah duo to record 30-plus points in a single-season dating back to 1996-97. The five games with a player scoring 30-plus points is the first time since Keith Van Horn did it himself during the 1996-97 season.
FAMILIAR FACES
When the Runnin' Utes and Rams battle it out on the hardwood, there will be some ties to the State of Utah. Utah head coach Craig Smith and VCU head coach Ryan Odom both held the same role at Utah State before moving onto their respective schools currently. Smith was at the helm in Logan from 2018-21 while Odom succeeded him from 2021-23 before taking over at VCU. Smith will also be facing a pair of familiar faces from VCU in Sean Bairstow and Max Shulga – who he coached during his time at Utah State.
LAST TIME OUT
Gabe Madsen and Deivon Smith propelled the Runnin' Utes past Iowa, the third seed in its region of the NIT bracket, and accounted for 50 of Utah's 91 points in the win. Madsen finished with a career-high 31 points on 7-for-15 shooting from 3-point range while Smith recorded his fourth triple-double of the year with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Big man Branden Carlson chipped in with 12 points of his own with 2 blocks. Lawson Lovering also had 6 points to go with 10 rebounds and a career-high 5 assists while Cole Bajema scored 9 points with 5 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Should the Runnin' Utes come out victorious over VCU on Wednesday, they'll head to Indianapolis for the NIT semifinals (April 2) inside Hinkle Fieldhouse against either Indiana State or Cincinnati. A win in the semis would see Utah play for the NIT Championships on Thursday, April 4, on ESPN at 5 p.m. (MDT) / 7 p.m. (EDT) local. Utah is 3-1 all-time when playing in the semifinals of the NIT with its three wins coming in 1947, 1974 and 2018.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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NIT NOTES
Through two games in the NIT, Deivon Smith has dished out a total of 20 assists with a double-double and a triple-double. He is just the fifth player since 1996-97 per Stat Perform to record at least 20 assists through two games in the NIT.
20+ ASSISTS IN TWO NIT GAMES PLAYED
| NAME | SCHOOL | YEAR | ASSISTS |
| Jordan McLaughlin | USC | 2017-18 | 27 |
| Jordan Bohannon | Iowa | 2016-17 | 24 |
| Bryce Cartwright | Iowa | 2011-12 | 21 |
| Deivon Smith | Utah | 2023-24 | 20 |
| Anthony Carter | Hawai'i | 1996-97 | 20 |
TOP NOTCH
Through 26 games, Deivon Smith is averaging 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists and is the only player in NCAA Division I to average those numbers. Additionally, he is just 1-of-11 players to average at least 12.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists dating back to 1996-97 per Stats Perform.
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | YEAR | RPG | APG | PPG |
| Kyle Collinsworth | BYU | 2015-16 | 8.2 | 7.4 | 15.3 |
| Jalen Picket | Penn State | 2022-23 | 7.4 | 6.6 | 17.7 |
| Kyle Anderson | UCLA | 2013-14 | 8.8 | 6.5 | 14.6 |
| Lonzo Ball | UCLA | 2016-17 | 6.0 | 7.6 | 14.6 |
| Jason Preston | Ohio | 2019-20 | 6.4 | 7.4 | 16.8 |
| Jesse Sanders | Liberty | 2011-12 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 12.5 |
| Jonah Radebaugh | North Colorado | 2019-20 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 16.5 |
| Denzel Valentine | Michigan State | 2015-16 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 19.2 |
| Eddie Gill | Weber State | 1999-00 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 16.3 |
| Deivon Smith | Utah | 2023-24 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 12.7 |
| Jason Preston | Ohio | 2020-21 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 15.7 |
MADSEN MAKIN' MOVES
Utah guard Gabe Madsen had an electric night offensively, scoring a career-high 31 points on 7-of-15 shooting from 3-point range. The Rochester, Minn., product scored 19 of his 31 in the first half and then 12 in the second frame – all from beyond the arc.
GAMES PLAYED ALL-TIME
Utah's Gabe Madsen, Cole Bajema, Ben Carlson and Hunter Erickson are now tied with a dozen 14 other players from five different seasons for the second-most games played in a single-season (35) after Sunday's contest vs. Iowa. The quartet will tie seven other players from the 2015-16 (5) and 1950-51 (2) team with 36 games played on Wednesday in Utah's NIT quarterfinals match-up against VCU. The 2023-24 season will also tie the 2015-16 and 1950-51 seasons for the most games played in a single year.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Utah converted 8 Iowa turnovers into 20 points on Sunday, making it just the fourth time this season the Utes have scored 20-plus points in that category.
March 24, 2024 – vs. Iowa – 20
Dec. 29, 2023 – vs. Washington State – 20
Dec. 20, 2023 – vs. Bellarmine – 28
Nov. 19, 2023 – vs. #RV/RV St. John's – 24
30 BURGERS
With 31 points on Sunday vs. Iowa in the second round of the NIT, Gabe Madsen became the second Runnin' Ute this season to score 30-plus points in a game and the fifth instance this season – the other four belonging to Branden Carlson. Per Stats Perform, Madsen and Carlson are the only Utah duo to record 30-plus points in a single-season dating back to 1996-97. The five games with a player scoring 30-plus points is the first time since Keith Van Horn did it himself during the 1996-97 season.
| NAME | DATE | OPP | POINTS |
| Gabe Madsen | 3/24/24 | Iowa | 31 |
| Branden Carlson | 3/7/24 | at Oregon State | 40 |
| Branden Carlson | 3/2/24 | California | 30 |
| Branden Carlson | 12/31/23 | Washington | 34 |
| Branden Carlson | 11/16/23 | vs. Wake Forest | 31 |
FAMILIAR FACES
When the Runnin' Utes and Rams battle it out on the hardwood, there will be some ties to the State of Utah. Utah head coach Craig Smith and VCU head coach Ryan Odom both held the same role at Utah State before moving onto their respective schools currently. Smith was at the helm in Logan from 2018-21 while Odom succeeded him from 2021-23 before taking over at VCU. Smith will also be facing a pair of familiar faces from VCU in Sean Bairstow and Max Shulga – who he coached during his time at Utah State.
LAST TIME OUT
Gabe Madsen and Deivon Smith propelled the Runnin' Utes past Iowa, the third seed in its region of the NIT bracket, and accounted for 50 of Utah's 91 points in the win. Madsen finished with a career-high 31 points on 7-for-15 shooting from 3-point range while Smith recorded his fourth triple-double of the year with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Big man Branden Carlson chipped in with 12 points of his own with 2 blocks. Lawson Lovering also had 6 points to go with 10 rebounds and a career-high 5 assists while Cole Bajema scored 9 points with 5 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Should the Runnin' Utes come out victorious over VCU on Wednesday, they'll head to Indianapolis for the NIT semifinals (April 2) inside Hinkle Fieldhouse against either Indiana State or Cincinnati. A win in the semis would see Utah play for the NIT Championships on Thursday, April 4, on ESPN at 5 p.m. (MDT) / 7 p.m. (EDT) local. Utah is 3-1 all-time when playing in the semifinals of the NIT with its three wins coming in 1947, 1974 and 2018.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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