Runnin' Utes Entertain Buffaloes in Regular-Season Finale Saturday

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah men's basketball team closes out the regular-season this Saturday, March 5, as it welcomes in Colorado for a 7:30 p.m. (MT) bout inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
 
Dave Feldman and Adrian Branch will once again have the call on the ESPNU broadcast as Utah looks to head into Pac-12 Tournament with some momentum.
 
PRE-GAME CEREMONY
Ahead of tip-off, the Utah men's basketball program will hold a senior day ceremony for Riley Battin and David Jenkins Jr. and student manager Derek Broderick. Despite holding senior day ceremonies for both Battin and Jenkins Jr., the two will have the option to return for a final season next year should they choose to use their "COVID year." Pregame ceremonies will begin at approximately 7:16 p.m. (MT).
 
Hailing from Westlake Village, Calif., Battin has played in 116 career games as a Ute while starting in 78 of them and currently has 733 career points. The forward is a two-time Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll recipient and earned 2021 NABC Honors Court distinction. Battin is currently working on his masters in finance after earning his bachelor's degree in business administration this past December.
 
Over his career, Jenkins Jr. has played in 123 career games while starting in 83 of them. His 1,834 career points ranks him in the top-50 nationally among active Division I players. His 319 career 3-pointers ranks in the top-20 while his .412 shooting clip from 3-point range also ranks in the top-50. Jenkins will be earning his applied positive psychology certificate this May.
 
GAME DAY PROMOTIONS

• Ford Teddy Bear Toss
  • Fans are encouraged to remain in their seats after the game and wait until both teams have cleared the floor before we begin the Ford Teddy Bear Toss.

 
REGULAR-SEASON WRAP-UP
Since joining the Pac-12 in 2011-12, Utah is 7-3 in its final game of the regular-season and 7-0 when those games have occurred at home – which the last six season have been played in the friendly confines of the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Of the 7-0 record in its final game of the regular-season at home, Utah is 3-0 when playing Colorado in the season finale.
 
PAC-12 TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Heading into the season finale, Utah's seeding fate will depend its result against Colorado as well as how Cal does against #2/2 Arizona. A Utah victory coupled with a loss by Cal will see Utah grab the #10 seed while a loss by the Utes sends them to the late game as the #11 seed at 9:30 p.m. (MT).
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Utes had a hard time finding its rhythm on offense against Arizona State last Saturday and trailed as much as 14 points with under 12 minutes to go. However, the resilient Runnin' Utes battled back to tie things up with 28 seconds left on the clock but fell once again to the Sun Devils by a late bucket 63-61.
 
Marco Anthony led the Utes with a season-high 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting with four rebounds and a pair of steals. Branden Carlson continues to return to form since his appendectomy, scoring 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting with six rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
With the regular-season wrapped up, Utah now turns its focus towards the Pac-12 Tournament (March 9-12). Utah will either be the 10-seed or the 11-seed in the tournament which means it will play in either the 7 p.m. (MT) or 9:30 p.m. (MT) slot. Both games air on Pac-12 Networks with Ted Robinson and Bill Walton on the call while Jordan Kent reports from the sidelines.
 
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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