Utah Basketball Continues Three-Game Homestand Facing Sacramento State
Nov 12, 2021, 6:56 PM | Updated: 6:58 pm
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah Runnin’ Utes will be back at the Jon M. Huntsman Center for game two of their three-game homestand, facing Sacramento State.
Utah is coming off of an impressive 70-56 win in their season opener over Abilene Christian on Tuesday night. That win looks better than most expect because ACU was an NCAA Tournament team in March and had an upset win over Texas in the first round. The Wildcats led the nation last season in steals and turnover margin.
After overcoming their first challenge, the Runnin’ Utes will welcome in a Big Sky foe before closing out their three-game homestand on Monday against Bethune-Cookman. That game is a part of the Sunshine Slam MTE that Utah is participating in.
Utah is looking for their third straight 2-0 start to the season.
Runnin’ Utes Coming Off Nice Win Over ACU
It was a balanced effort on Tuesday night for the Runnin’ Utes. Six players scored 70 points and five in double figures with the sixth player scoring eight points. David Jenkins Jr. led the way with 15 points, along with 14 points and 10 rebounds by Branden Carlson.
Head coach Craig Smith talked about the shot selection of his team in the win over Abilene Christian.
“For the most part, we had really good looks,” Smith said after the game on Tuesday. “We maybe took a couple quick ones or ill advised ones. We missed some chip shots at the rim. I think we’re a good finishing team. I thought we executed our stuff for the most part pretty well. First half, we had a couple sets we ran that were not executed the right way. But we played some four guard lineups that we do some but I wouldn’t say it’s a go to for us necessarily. But we felt like against these guys, you had to have ball handlers, decision makers in the game.”
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After ushering in the Craig Smith Era with a victory on opening night, we welcome Sacramento State for a 7:30 p.m. (MT) tip this Saturday, Nov. 13.#GoUtes https://t.co/d6KxHgAB0c
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 12, 2021
About Sacramento State
The Hornets come in with a 1-0 record after an 89-59 win over William Jessup in their season opener. Three players scored in double figures, led by Bryce Fowler with 17 points. William FitzPatrick had 11 points and six rebounds, while Zach Chappell added 10 points.
Sacramento State shot 47% from the field, including 12-of-21 for 57% from the three-point line.
Brandon Laird is the interim head coach of the Hornets after head coach Brian Katz retired on November 5.
Utah and Sacramento State will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. MT on Saturday, November 12. The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Mountain.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com, Co-Host ofΒ Faith, Family and Football podcastΒ with Clark Phillips III and host of theΒ Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter:Β @TrevorASports.
