Pac-12 at night is back with a late matchup on Thursday between the Utah Utes (15-9, 6-7 Pac-12) and the USC Trojans (9-15, 3-10 Pac-12). Utah is coming off a home loss to Arizona State, going down 85-77 and losing outright as 12.5-point favorites. USC just got demolished on the road at Stanford, going down 99-68 as just 1.5-point underdogs. This is the only matchup between these teams this season, and USC won both matchups against Utah last year. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:00 EST from the Galen Center in Los Angeles, and can be found on FS1.
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The Utah Utes were in solid position in the Pac-12 conference, until they recently lost four of their last five games. Utah lost games to both Washington schools and Arizona schools, mixing in a win against Colorado in their recent stretch. They now sit at 6-7 in league play, ranking 7th in the standings. In their last game, Utah was led by center Branden Carlson with 25 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to Arizona State.
Pretty pass over the top from @sneakgod for the @Keba_Keita_13 hammer??#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/aoquY1FcZ5
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 11, 2024
The Utes are led in scoring by their 7'0, 220-pound senior center Branden Carlson with 17.0 PPG, while also averaging 7.0 RPG. He has been playing well recently, as he scored 25 last time out against Arizona State and 27 in the previous game against Arizona. He is an athletic big who can finish above the rim, but also convert from deep where he made 37 threes this season. Their top shooter in 6'6 senior guard Gabe Madsen, he has made 67 threes on the season on 40.9% shooting from deep, while adding 13.1 PPG. Deivon Smith joined the team halfway through the season, and is averaging a strong 10.7 PPG, 5.9 APG and 5.4 APG as a 6'0 senior guard.
Utah is currently ranked 42nd overall according to KenPom. They rank 43rd in offensive efficiency and 65th in defensive efficiency. The Utes play at the 77th fastest tempo in the nation based on their pace of play. Utah is currently listed in the Last Four In section of Bracketology, pla cing them barely on the right side of the bubble.
Injury Report: Out- G Rollie Worster (9.9 PPG)