BYU, Utah Basketball Agree To New Four-Game Series Starting In 2020
Apr 10, 2020, 11:31 AM | Updated: 11:00 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The rivalry between BYU and Utah on the basketball hardwood has been renewed. Starting in 2020, both the Cougars and Utes will begin a new four-game series with the first game taking place in Provo. The series was confirmed with a University of Utah spokesperson.
This contract comes on the heels of a thrilling overtime chapter of the rivalry in the Huntsman Center last season. Utah won that game back on December 4th with a score of 102-95.
Since the cancelation of the 2016 rivalry game, this marks the second series agreement between the two programs. The prior agreement was for three games due to the now-defunct Beehive Classic.
The new four-game agreement will begin in 2020 down in Provo at the Marriott Center on December 12th. Games at the Huntsman Center will take place in 2021 and 2023 with another game in Provo in the middle in 2022.
BYU and Utah have met 260 times in basketball all-time dating back to 1909 with the Cougars holding a small 131-129 advantage over the Utes. Since they no longer were conference foes in 2011, the two rivals have split their eight meetings four games each.
“BYU vs. Utah is one of the greatest rivalries in college basketball,” BYU men’s basketball coach Mark Pope said. “We love playing the in-state games. They are a hallmark for college basketball and are so special for our players and fans. We can’t wait to get back on the court to get ready for next season.”
Last season, BYU finished the year with a 24-8 record and a second-place finish in the West Coast Conference in the first season with Mark Pope as head coach. The Utes finished 16-15 and were tied for eighth in the Pac-12 Conference.
BYU loses five scholarship players due to graduation from last year’s team while the Utes return most of their young core as they had zero scholarship players that were seniors this past season.
New Four-Game BYU/Utah Basketball series
December 12th, 2020: at BYU (Marriott Center)
2021: at Utah (Huntsman Center)
2022: at BYU
2023: at Utah
Trevor Allen contributed to this report.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
