Although the basketball version of the BYU-Utah rivalry isn’t as heated as football, there will be plenty of emotions and hype for Saturday’s showdown in Salt Lake City.
There will also be ample familiarity and fanfare involving the programs’ first-ever matchup as members of the Big 12.
“I’m very familiar with how much this game means,” said new BYU coach Kevin Young, who will get his first taste of the rivalry. “I personally don’t make a whole lot about those types of things. We’ve got to go up there and get a win regardless.”
The host Utes (10-6, 2-3 Big 12) have two former Cougars in their rotation in Caleb Lohner and Hunter Erickson. Sophomore Jake Wahlin grew up near BYU.
As for the Cougars (11-5, 2-3), key contributor Keba Keita transferred from the Utes. In addition, Cougars assistant coach Chris Burgess left a position with Utah, where he played in college, to join Young’s staff.
“Obviously, having Keba — is he the ultimate traitor going from Utah to BYU?” Young joked. “I’m sure he’ll have an earful, Burgess as well. It’ll be fun.”
BYU comes into this contest between middle-of-the-pack Big 12 squads with a win under its belt — 85-69 over Oklahoma State — after enduring a three-game losing streak. Trevin Knell led the team with 18 points and chipped in five rebounds in the win on Tuesday.
“They’re a good team,” Utah coach Craig Smith said of BYU. “They’ve got a lot of weapons on that team, on that floor — a lot of veteran guys, a lot of guys that have been through this rivalry and understand.”
Utah is also playing better after a rough patch. The Utes followed up a home win over Oklahoma State (83-62) last Saturday with a victory at TCU (73-65) on Wednesday after suffering through an ugly four-game skid and an 0-3 start in their new league.
Gabe Madsen led Utah with 17 points against TCU and paces the Utes with his 16.3 scoring average.
Utah beat BYU last season at home, 73-69, in a nonconference game and is aiming to continue building momentum in the latest clash between the longtime rivals.
“Hopefully, we can pack the Huntsman Center and make them feel our presence and get a lot of red in there,” Smith said. “I know our guys will be super excited (to play) a very good BYU team that can hit you in a lot of ways.”
