Gearing up for their much-anticipated matchup, the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team will host Utah Tech University on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. Following this game, SUU will host Utah Valley University on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Both games can be watched live in the America First Event Center or can be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds are entering this week 10-14 on the year and 2-8 in the Western Athletic Conference. With the struggles in conference play, SUU is currently ranked last in the WAC and would have to play in the play-in tournament.
Part of the struggles for SUU has been the injury bug. Starting guard Tavi Jackson has been out since Jan. 23, missing the last five games. Another notable injury for SUU was Dominique Ford.
Ford was injured in their game against Seattle University on Jan. 18 and also missed five games. Ford returned for their game against Abilene Christian, where he scored 10 points in 19 minutes.
In the absence of Jackson and Ford, Jamir Simpson stepped up for the T-Birds. Simpson is second in the conference, averaging 17.04 points per game and 19.6 points per game in his last six games.
Utah Tech
Like Southern Utah, Utah Tech has struggled on the season. The Trailblazers are 6-17 on the season, 2-6 in the WAC, and are currently on a six-game losing streak. Utah Tech has yet to win a game on the road as they are 0-12 away from St. George, Utah.
The Trailblazers throw out a unique starting lineup. Utah Tech really tries to spread defenses out, with all five players under the height of 6’8’’. Starting guard Noa Gonsalves has continued to be a driving force for this offense.
Gonsalves leads the team, averaging 14.1 points per game and 55 made three-pointers. Senior guard Beon Riley has been a great pairing with Gonsalves. Riley averages 13.7 points a game and leads the team in rebounds, averaging 8.1 per game.
Defensively, Utah Tech has really struggled. The Trailblazers rank last in the WAC in defense, giving up 75.8 points a game and allowing teams to shoot 47.2% from the field.
Utah Valley
Looking to finish at the top in the WAC, Utah Valley is 17-7 on the year and 9-1 in conference play. Utah Valley currently holds the top spot in the WAC and will look to secure the number one seed in the WAC Tournament.
One reason UVU has been able to dominate is their ability to move the ball and get open looks. The Wolverines rank first in field goal percentage, shooting 46.8% from the field, and first in assists per game, averaging 16.3.
The Wolverines are led by one of the best guard and forward duos in Dominick Nelson and Carter Welling. Nelson is one of the best guards in the conference averaging 15.4 points per game, and is third on the team with 43 assists.
Welling, a sophomore transfer from the University of California, Irvine, leads the team, averaging 5.7 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game.
Southern Utah is 5-3 all-time against Utah Tech and 7-7 all-time against Utah Valley.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Chevy Blackburn