University of Utah
Arizona State
Utes Ready For Road Test At #22 Arizona State, Arizona
1/16/2018 4:55 PM | Women's Basketball
Date: Friday, Jan. 19
Time: 11 a.m. MT
Location: Tempe, Ariz. (Wells Fargo Arena)
TV: theSunDevils.com
Radio: Utah Radio Sports Network (ESPN 700)
Talent: Tyson Ewing (2nd year)
Live Stats: theSunDevils.com
Game 19 at Arizona
Date: Sunday, Jan. 21
Time: 12 p.m. MT
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
TV: Pac-12 Networks (P12, Mountain, Arizona)
Talent: Krista Blunk, Joan Bonvincini
Radio: Utah Radio Sports Network (ESPN 700)
Talent: Tyson Ewing (2nd year)
Live Stats: ArizonaWildcats.com
The Basics: The University of Utah women's basketball team is focused on the Grand Canyon state this week as they head to Arizona to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils on Friday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. MT. They follow it up with a Sunday matinee against Arizona on Jan. 21 at 12 p.m. MT, airing on the Pac-12 Networks (Pac-12, Mountain, Arizona).
On The Road: Utah is 16-15 on the road under the direction of head coach Lynne Roberts (4-2 in 2017-18, 6-6 in 2016-17, 6-7 in 2015-16). Utah is 4-7 when playing in Tempe, but holds a 6-4 advantage against Arizona when playing in Tucson. The last time Utah won in Tempe was in 2013 (54-46). The Utes were able to pick up an 60-55 win in Tucson in 2016.
About the Sun Devils: The Arizona State Sun Devils enters the game against Utah 13-5 overall and 4-2 in Pac-12 play, ranking No. 22 in this week's AP Poll. The Sun Devils were on a six-game winning streak heading into their weekend in Oregon, but dropped both contests against Oregon State (57-54) and Oregon (74-64). ASU keeps a close eye on the ball during games, ranking 11th in the NCAA in fewest turnovers (11.4 per game), also ranking sixth nationally in assist/turnover ratio. ASU is led by Kianna Ibis, who is averaging 13.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
About the Wildcats: The Arizona Wildcats open the weekend with a 4-13 overall record and have yet to win a game in Pac-12 play (0-6). Their last win came in the non-conference finale against Southern Utah on Jan. 20 and have been on a six-game losing streak that began with an 89-55 loss on the road against the Utes. Arizona is led in scoring by JaLea Bennett who is averaging 15.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, ranking ninth in the Pac-12 through 17 games.
By the Numbers:
• 79: Utah is averaging 79 points per game in Pac-12 play.
• 46: Utah has 46 wins under the direction of Lynne Roberts.
• 17: Daneesha Provo is averaging 17.7 points per game in Pac-12 play, ranking seventh in the league.
• 10: Utah out-rebounds its opponents by an average of 10 per game, ranking 11th in the NCAA.
• 9: Out of Utah's 15-person roster, nine athletes are 6-0 or taller.
How to Tune in: The game against Arizona State will be stream live on theSunDevils.com with the game against Arizona on Sunday on Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Mountain and Pac-12 Arizona with Krista Blunk and Joan Bonvicini calling the action. Live stats will be provided by both hosts (theSunDevils.com/ArizonaWildcats.com) with play-by-play action being called by Tyson Ewing on ESPN 700. Follow @UTAHWBB on Twitter/Instagram for updates.
Utes vs. The Pac-12: The Utes are 100-140 against the current members of the Pac-12. Since joining the Pac-12 in 2011-12, Utah is 39-75 in conference play.
Last time Out: Utah fell to the USC Trojans on Sunday, Jan. 14 58-47. In an uncharacteristic game, the Utes only shot 37-percent from the floor and committed 21 turnovers. Despite the offensive struggles, they held USC to 37-percent shooting and outrebounded the Women of Troy 41-31. Megan Huff was Utah's only double-digit scorer with 10 points while Emily Potter led the Utes in rebounding with 11.
Williams for Three: In 16 games, freshman Tori Williams has hit at least one three in 12 games, including two against USC (1/14). She has 32 on the season, ranking her sixth overall in the Pac-12 and first among freshmen. She is one of just 26 freshmen in the NCAA averaging 2.0 three-pointers made per game.
Pac-12 Elite: Emily Potter recorded 11 rebounds against USC (1/14), the third time this season she has had double-digit boards. It gives her 929 career rebounds, breaking into the top-25 all-time in Pac-12 history. She passed Cassie Harberts (USC, 925) and Markel Walker (UCLA, 925) to rank No. 24.
75 or Bust: Utah has shot 75-percent or better from the free throw line in four of the last five games, including its 85-percent against USC (1/14). The Utes are ranked second in the Pac-12 and 33rd in the NCAA in free throw percentage. Utah is the only team in the Pac-12 to have two players ranked in the top-10 in the league (Pac-12 games only) in free throw percentage.
Senior Experience: Emily Potter is one of just three seniors in the Pac-12 ranked in the top-five in field goal percentage through six games. She ranks fifth, shooting 56-percent from the field. She has shot 40-percent or higher in five of the last six games, including shooting 77-percent against UCLA (1/12) and 50-percent against USC (1/14).
