SALT LAKE CITY-Thursday, Utah men’s basketball returns to the Huntsman Center to host Washington after splitting on an Arizona road trip last week to commence Pac-12 conference play. This will be followed by a Saturday home game against Washington State.
The Utes come into Thursday’s game at 7-7 and 1-1 in conference play, having downed Arizona State 96-86 and falling 84-81 to Arizona in overtime at Tucson, Ariz.
The Utes are 66-62 all-time in Pac-12 play in program history and are 9-3 against Washington in Pac-12 games and 10-2 against Washington State in league competition.
The Utes are 11-7 in Pac-12 play the past two seasons.
Entering Thursday’s game against the Huskies, the Utes are scoring 75.6 points per game and surrendering 74.6 points per contest.
Senior guard Sedrick Barefield remains the Utes’ leading scorer as he nets 16.4 points per game.
Sophomore forward Donnie Tillman posts 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Utes in a complementary role.
The Huskies come into this game at 10-4 and 1-0 in conference play, having routed Washington State 85-67 January 5.
Washington scores 72.1 points per game and surrenders 66.5 points per contest.
Sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell is the Huskies’ leading scorer, posting 17.3 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per contest.
Senior forward Noah Dickerson nets 14.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game as well to bolster the Huskies.
Saturday, Utah faces a 7-7 Washington State squad that is 0-1 in Pac-12 play.
The Cougars score 81.1 points per game and surrenders 76.7 points per contest.
Washington State is led by senior forward Robert Franks as he amasses 22.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
The Cougars are also bolstered by freshman forward CJ Elleby who nets 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
