Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round) on March 10, 2026 , Loss , 66, to, 73
Final Score
Men's Basketball
66
vs No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round)
73
The University of Utah Athletics
Featuring the Runnin’ Utes: Brandon Haddock
2/17/2025 10:15 AM | Men's Basketball
Haddock and the Runnin' Utes take to the court to battle Kansas State
Brandon Haddock is the Runnin' Ute's longest-tenured member on the roster, beginning his college career in 2019 before spending two years on a mission and making this senior season his last.
Haddock spent his childhood in Southlake, Texas, being one of three Runnin' Utes from the Lone Star State. Haddock began playing AAU in 7th grade, realizing his basketball potential and deciding to focus on basketball heading into his freshman year of high school. Transitioning into his final season at Carroll High School, Haddock put together a stellar senior campaign to boost his resume. As a point guard, he averaged 24 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals while dropping a career-high 42 points in a single game. With a fantastic season, Haddock was elected as the offensive MVP of District 5-AAAAAA.
"My high school basketball career was different than my experience in college," Haddock said. "I felt like I was taking on the role of scoring 24 points per game and having that 42-point game and doing all those things while kind of being the guy. When I got to Utah my freshman year, it was a big eye-opening experience. There are always a lot of good players in the gym, and you have to find your role and do whatever you need to do to help the team win and improve."
To continue his basketball career at the next level, Haddock signed with the Runnin' Utes under head coach Larry Krystkowiak. Early in his first season, Haddock scored his first collegiate points against Coastal Carolina during the Myrtle Beach Invitational. The freshman guard drilled a pair of free throws late in the second half to seal a special moment.
"That was a special moment. It was the first tournament we traveled to, playing in Myrtle Beach and facing Coastal Carolina. My parents actually flew out there from Texas to watch the games. I just remember getting fouled late in the game and being able to hit both free throws. It was just a cool moment. It wasn't a first basket or field goal, but being able to score my first college points there was pretty cool with my parents, both being there and having that family around was a neat experience."
After one season in Salt Lake City, Haddock took two years away from the program to complete a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints in Las Vegas and Micronesia.
"I came in for my freshman year hoping to just play and kind of enjoy basketball a little bit and then ended up going on my church mission to Las Vegas. After, I went to Micronesia, and I learned a new language and was able to just meet some of the most amazing people I've ever met out there on those islands. I lived with no electricity and no running water so coming back to basketball, I feel like everything I learned over those two years just out there on the islands was just gratitude for everything. I was just grateful for teammates, coaches, and just everything."
One of Haddock's most memorable moments as a Runnin' Ute dates back to his freshman season when Utah recorded a signature victory in Las Vegas against #6 Kentucky.
"One of my favorite moments was when we played Kentucky at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. We were able to beat them, and it was a really great game. It's awesome just to have experienced beating Kentucky on a neutral floor. Kentucky's whole fan base was there, traveled well, and to be able to beat a team like that."
Three years later, Haddock is amid his final season as a Runnin' Ute, totaling six years since first joining the program. However, what makes this Utah squad different than any other its bond.
"We're all good friends, brothers, we love each other. This team got together so fast and came together in the locker room, on the court and off the court."
Haddock and the Runnin' Utes continue their Big 12 run, welcoming the Kansas State Wildcats inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Feb. 17.
Haddock spent his childhood in Southlake, Texas, being one of three Runnin' Utes from the Lone Star State. Haddock began playing AAU in 7th grade, realizing his basketball potential and deciding to focus on basketball heading into his freshman year of high school. Transitioning into his final season at Carroll High School, Haddock put together a stellar senior campaign to boost his resume. As a point guard, he averaged 24 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals while dropping a career-high 42 points in a single game. With a fantastic season, Haddock was elected as the offensive MVP of District 5-AAAAAA.
"My high school basketball career was different than my experience in college," Haddock said. "I felt like I was taking on the role of scoring 24 points per game and having that 42-point game and doing all those things while kind of being the guy. When I got to Utah my freshman year, it was a big eye-opening experience. There are always a lot of good players in the gym, and you have to find your role and do whatever you need to do to help the team win and improve."
To continue his basketball career at the next level, Haddock signed with the Runnin' Utes under head coach Larry Krystkowiak. Early in his first season, Haddock scored his first collegiate points against Coastal Carolina during the Myrtle Beach Invitational. The freshman guard drilled a pair of free throws late in the second half to seal a special moment.
"That was a special moment. It was the first tournament we traveled to, playing in Myrtle Beach and facing Coastal Carolina. My parents actually flew out there from Texas to watch the games. I just remember getting fouled late in the game and being able to hit both free throws. It was just a cool moment. It wasn't a first basket or field goal, but being able to score my first college points there was pretty cool with my parents, both being there and having that family around was a neat experience."
After one season in Salt Lake City, Haddock took two years away from the program to complete a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints in Las Vegas and Micronesia.
"I came in for my freshman year hoping to just play and kind of enjoy basketball a little bit and then ended up going on my church mission to Las Vegas. After, I went to Micronesia, and I learned a new language and was able to just meet some of the most amazing people I've ever met out there on those islands. I lived with no electricity and no running water so coming back to basketball, I feel like everything I learned over those two years just out there on the islands was just gratitude for everything. I was just grateful for teammates, coaches, and just everything."
One of Haddock's most memorable moments as a Runnin' Ute dates back to his freshman season when Utah recorded a signature victory in Las Vegas against #6 Kentucky.
"One of my favorite moments was when we played Kentucky at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. We were able to beat them, and it was a really great game. It's awesome just to have experienced beating Kentucky on a neutral floor. Kentucky's whole fan base was there, traveled well, and to be able to beat a team like that."
Three years later, Haddock is amid his final season as a Runnin' Ute, totaling six years since first joining the program. However, what makes this Utah squad different than any other its bond.
"We're all good friends, brothers, we love each other. This team got together so fast and came together in the locker room, on the court and off the court."
Haddock and the Runnin' Utes continue their Big 12 run, welcoming the Kansas State Wildcats inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Feb. 17.
Players Mentioned
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