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Men's Basketball Heads to The Palouse

by Utah Athletics
Jan 24, 2022

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah men's basketball looks to turn a new chapter as it heads to The Palouse for a midweek match-up against Washington State this Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. (MT) inside Beasley Coliseum.
 
Greg Heister will have the call while former Gonzaga guard Dan Dickau serves as the analyst in the second meeting between the Utes and Cougars this season on Pac-12 Networks.
 
STEFANOVIC RACKS UP ANOTHER FOW HONOR
Utah men's basketball guard Lazar Stefanovic picked up his second Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honor after averaging 11 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists this past week for the Runnin' Utes.
 
Stefanovic is the first Ute freshman to earn the honor multiple times in a single-season. The Belgrade, Serbia, product has now earned two of Utah's four FOW honor since the award started in 2019-20. His first award came back on Dec. 6.

 
REDEMPTION ROAD
After being swept by the Washington school at home for the first time ever since joining the Pac-12, the Utes look to return the favor on the road this week as they travel to Washington State and Washington. In its 11th season as a member of the Pac-12, Utah has swept both WSU and UW three-consecutive season from 2015-2018 – two of those series started in Pullman. The only campaign the Utes were swept on the road by the Washington schools came in 2013-14.
 
MADSEN PICKS UP PACE
As Gabe Madsen gets his feet under him after returning from an injury, the Rochester, Minn., has slowly seen his minutes increase and get more comfortable on the floor. That comfortability culminated with a 20-point performance against then #16/15 USC this past Saturday, going 5-of-11 from 3-point range and 6-of-12 from the floor in total.

 
Season-Highs vs. USC

  • 20 points
  • 5 3FGM
  • 6 FGM
  • 3 FTM
  • 23:03 minutes

 
LAST TIME OUT
Utah 6-6 guard Gabe Madsen shined against #16/15 USC last Saturday, going for 20 points on 5-of-11 from 3-point range to keep the Utes within range of the Trojans before eventually falling 79-67. Freshman Lazar Stefanovic was the only other Ute in double-figures with 10 points while Dusan Mahorcic made his first-career start as a Ute against the Trojans with nine points and five rebounds.
 
The Utes kept within striking distance of the Trojans in the opening minutes of the second frame before USC went on a 14-2 run to take a 56-38 lead and never looked back. Up against a tall and lengthy USC team, the Utes managed to minimize their turnovers to just 10 but was outscored in the paint 40-20 – including 12 offensive boards that led to 15 Trojan points.

 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Washington State heads into Wednesday's meeting 10-7 overall and 3-3 in Pac-12 play after sitting out last week due to being in COVID-19 protocols. Since their win in SLC, the Cougars have only played two games against Stanford (L, 62-57) and California (W, 65-57) at home.
 
Michael Flowers leads a trio of Cougs in double-figures averaging 13.2 points and 3.8 rebounds with a team-high 3.0 assists. Noah Williams is second on the team averaging 11.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists while owning the second most steals on the team with 17. Tyrell Roberts rounds out the trio averaging 10.8 points, 2.4 assists with 31 made triples – second only to Flowers (44).
 
As a team, UW is averaging just 64.8 points in Pac-12 play compared to the 79.3 points per game in non-con action. The Cougars are just 2-3 in their last five games with Roberts leading the way with 14.4 points per game while Flowers is averaging 10.4 points. Mouhamed Gueye has been a solid presence on the block for WSU, averaging 8.2 points and 5.4 boards the last five games while Adrej Jakimovski is averaging 7.4 points and 6.0 rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
Utah will get an extra day of preparation as it faces Washington on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. (MT) on Pac-12 Networks. Roxy Bernstein will have the call between the Runnin' Utes and Huskies as Utah looks to pick up its first win inside Alaska Airlines Arena since Jan. 18, 2018.
 
LOOKING HEAD
The Utes return home for another short homestand as they welcome in Oregon State (Feb. 3) and Oregon (Feb. 5) inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah first battles the Beavers at 7 p.m. (MT) on ESPNU before welcoming in the Ducks for a 6:30 p.m. (MT) tilt on Saturday, Feb. 5. The Runnin' Utes program will also recognize another one of their greats with an honored jersey ceremony for long-time NBA veteran Tom Chambers.
 
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, Twitter and Instagram.
 
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