A longtime in-state rivalry will be renewed when Utah and Weber State square off for the first time since 2019 when the Wildcats travel to Salt Lake City on Saturday.
This is just the second meeting in 14 seasons between two teams who met almost annually from 1972 to 2011. Utah leads the all-time series just 27-14 but is 17-3 at home against Weber State.
Still, the Utes are on upset alert. The Wildcats would love nothing more than to get bragging rights over an in-state power-conference opponent.
“It’s a big game for them,” Utah coach Alex Jensen said. “It could make their season, so I’m trying to get our guys ready for (those) expectations. We got to come out from the beginning and be ready for that.”
The Utes (1-0) took a promising step forward with an 84-75 victory over San Jose State on Monday. Iowa transfer Seydou Traore made an instant impact for Utah, leading the way with 23 points, four steals and two blocks. Traore went 5-of-8 from 3-point range to help the Utes pull away from the Spartans.
Along the way, the 6-foot-6 forward joined Delon Wright and Andrew Bogut as just the third Utah player to post at least 20 points, four steals and two blocks in a game since 1996.
Weber State (1-0) also opened the season with a win, demolishing NCCAA member West Coast Baptist 130-38 on Monday. The 92-point margin of victory set a Big Sky Conference record, and it also was a school record for the Wildcats.
For 40 minutes, Weber State dominated on both ends of the court. The Wildcats shot 53.1% from the field and made 18 3-pointers. They held the Eagles to 20% shooting — including 2-of-36 from 3-point range.
Trevor Hennig led the way for Weber State with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Hennig was one of six players to score in double figures for the Wildcats.
“Got a lot of guys in the game and hopefully knocked the rust off,” Weber State coach Eric Duft said. “Now the (opponents) get a lot more talented.”
