Runnin' Utes Head South for Saturday Showdown

Utah Game Notes | Pac-12 Notes | WCC Notes

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah men' basketball team heads down I-15 this Saturday for a showdown with in-state rival BYU at 4 p.m. inside the Marriott Center on BYUtv. The Runnin' Utes will hope to get their first win in Provo since 2014.
 
Dave McCann will have the call for Saturday's game with Blaine Fowler serving as the analyst and Spencer Linton roaming the sidelines in the 261st edition of the rivalry.
 
HOW TO WATCH
Fans can catch the game online free at byutv.org or on their Smart TV and mobile/tablet device by downloading the BYUtv app. In addition, fans can also catch the game with the following cable providers…
 
DISH: 4369 (HD) or 9403 (SD)
DirecTV: 374  
Verizon FiOS: 289 or 290
AT&T U-verse: 1567 (HD) or 567 (SD)
Over the Air/Digital: 11.1
 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
BYU enters the year 5-2 after Wednesday night's 74-70 loss to Boise State, giving the Cougars their first loss at home on the year. Despite losses to the roster from last year's veteran squad, head coach Mark Pope still has a heavy supply of seniors and juniors on his team, including the team leader in scoring Alex Barcello (19.6 PPG) and Purdue transfer Matt Haarms (10.2 PPG).
 
Barcello, who is a former teammate of Timmy Allen on the AAU circuit, has led BYU in scoring in all but one game this season (USC). The senior also leads the team with a .620 shooting clip (min. 50 FGA), including a deadly .629 clip from range, and 23 assists. Freshman Caleb Lohner paces the team on the glass, averaging 6.3 rebounds to go with his 4.7 points per game. Haarms is the only other Cougar averaging in double-figures with 10.2 points per game to go with his team-high 12 blocks. Utah Valley transfer Brandon Averette is third on the team in scoring, averaging 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds.
 
As a team, BYU has done a good job of sharing the ball with six different players collecting 10-plus assists on the year. Offensively through seven games, the 71 shots from downtown is ranked third nationally through games on Dec. 9 while the 120 assists is ranked second. On the glass, the 275 rebounds is second nationally, trailing Xavier with 278.
 
Individually, Barcello's offensive output has him ranked third in 3-point field-goals made (22), second in field-goals made (49), first in total points (137), 10th in 3-point field-goal percentage and 14th in total minutes. Haarms' 12 blocks checks in at No. 12.
 
BATTLE HISTORY
Since the rivalry began in 1909 there have only been 16 games between the Runnin' Utes and Cougars that have gone into overtime with Utah holding the edge 12-4 – including a 6-1 advantage in OT games when playing at home. Of those 16 games, only one has gone into double OT and two into triple OT.
 

 
In the 260 games played so far between the heated rivals there have been only nine games where either team or both teams have reached the 100 points mark, which is in favor of the Cougars 5-4. 
 

 
LAST TIME OUT
It was all hands on deck this past Tuesday when the Utes took on Idaho State at home with six different players registering in double-figures led by freshman Pelle Larsson's 14 points. Utah's defense forced 19 turnovers that they were able to convert for 22 points. Offensively, the team shot a blazing 50.9-percent from the floor and .500 from 3-point range (9-of-18).
 
UP NEXT
Utah returns home for another non-conference game on Tuesday, Dec. 15, this time against in-state foe Utah Valley led by second-year head coach Mark Madsen. The second all-time meeting between the Utes and Wolverines will air on Pac-12 Networks with tip-off set for 5 p.m. (MT).
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Utes, for now, will complete their non-conference slate with a game against the Vandals of Idaho on Friday, Dec. 18. That game will air on Pac-12 Networks as well, but a tip-time is yet to be determined.
 
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