JOHN COON
Gonzaga forward Drew Timme shoots as BYU forward Fousseyni Traore (45) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
No. 8 Gonzaga rallies past BYU on Strawther's game-winner

John Coon Jan. 12, 2023 11:51 PM EST
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Gonzaga found a way to win another nail-biter against a WCC

TCU center Eddie Lampkin Jr. (4) pulls down a rebound between Utah's Wilguens Exacte Jr. (11) and Marco Anthony (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Emanuel Miller scores 21 points, No. 20 TCU beats Utah 75-71

By John Coon Dec. 21, 2022 11:22 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Emanuel Miller had 21 points and seven rebounds and No. 20 TCU

Utah center Keba Keita (13) defends against Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Branden Carlson, Utah race past No. 4 Arizona 81-66

By John Coon Dec. 01, 2022 10:54 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah found a way to bottle up Arizona’s powerful offense.

FILE - Utah center Branden Carlson dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Washington State, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. “This team has the mindset that we’re just going to be physical this year,” senior center Branden Carlson said. “We’re not going to get pushed around.” (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Utah hopes improved physicality, experience equals success

By John Coon Oct. 20, 2022 05:07 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah is determined to get tougher this season.

Gonzaga guard Julian Strawther (0) defends against BYU guard Trevin Knell (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Holmgren powers No. 2 Gonzaga to 90-57 victory over BYU

By John Coon Feb. 06, 2022 12:27 AM EST
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Chet Holmgren had 20 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and five

Loyola center Jacob Hutson (22) shoots as San Francisco guard Jamaree Bouyea (1) defends in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Taylorsville, Utah. Struggling to find opponents amid the coronavirus chaos, San Francisco and Loyola Chicago decided to meet in the middle. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Loyola Chicago beats USF in impromptu nonconference tilt

By John Coon Jan. 06, 2022 04:16 PM EST
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (AP) — Ryan Schwieger scored 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting to lead

Utah State guard Brock Miller (22) shoots as BYU guard Alex Barcello (13) defends in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Barcello, Lucas lead No. 24 BYU past Utah State 82-71

By John Coon Dec. 08, 2021 11:15 PM EST
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Alex Barcello scored 17 points while Te’Jon Lucas added 14 points

BYU guard Te'Jon Lucas (3) drives around Utah Valley guard Le'Tre Darthard (1) in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Valley pulls away in OT, stuns No. 12 BYU 72-65

By John Coon Dec. 01, 2021 11:53 PM EST
OREM, Utah (AP) — Fardaws Aimaq had 24 points and 22 rebounds, Justin Harmon

BYU guard Te'Jon Lucas (R) scrambles for the ball with Texas Southern guard PJ Henry (L) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 24 2021, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/George Frey)
No. 18 BYU improves to 5-0, beats Texas Southern 81-64

By John Coon Nov. 24, 2021 11:18 PM EST
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Te’Jon Lucas had 18 points and seven assists to lead No. 18

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2021, file photo, Utah head coach Craig Smith speaks during the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college basketball media day in San Francisco. Smith, who is entering his first season at Utah after successful stints at Utah State and South Dakota, wants to reintroduce a fast-paced style of basketball to the team's program. Push the pace, take high percentage shots, and play tough defense. Utah returns seven players from last season. Only two returning players – Riley Battin and Branden Carlson – saw significant playing time. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Utah aiming for basketball transformation under Craig Smith

By John Coon Oct. 21, 2021 12:53 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Utes aren’t just entering this season with a new

Utah guard Ian Martinez (2) pulls down a rebound as Southern California guard Noah Baumann (30) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah pulls away to beat No. 19 USC 71-61

By John Coon Feb. 27, 2021 10:14 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Alphonso Plummer scored 19 points, Timmy Allen added 15

Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard (3) defends against BYU guard Brandon Averette (4) in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
No. 1 Gonzaga coasts to 82-71 victory over BYU

By John Coon Feb. 09, 2021 01:23 AM EST
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Jalen Suggs scored 24 points and Drew Timme had 20 points

Oregon guard Chris Duarte drives to the basket as Utah forward Timmy Allen (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Duarte scores 25 as No. 17 Oregon beats Utah 79-73

By John Coon Jan. 09, 2021 11:53 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Chris Duarte scored 25 points and Eric Williams Jr. added

FILE - Utah forward Timmy Allen (1) shoots against California forward Kuany Kuany (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Berkeley, Calif., in this Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, file photo. Four starters return to Utah from a year ago – led by second-team All-Pac-12 selection Timmy Allen. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Utah counting on experience as springboard this season

By John Coon Nov. 10, 2020 12:26 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Experience is turning into an area of strength for Utah.

Colorado head coach Tad Boyle shouts to his team in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game against Utah Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Gach's three foul shots send Utah past Colorado in OT

By John Coon Mar. 07, 2020 07:04 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Making one clutch play after another is becoming second

USC guard Ethan Anderson (20) goes to the basket as Utah forward Mikael Jantunen (20) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Allen, Plummer help Utah beat USC 79-65, snap 3-game skid

By John Coon Feb. 23, 2020 08:31 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah did not squander a late lead to USC, even without

Gonzaga guard Admon Gilder (1) shoots as BYU guard Alex Barcello (4) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
No. 23 BYU upsets No. 2 Gonzaga 91-78

By John Coon Feb. 23, 2020 12:24 AM EST
PROVO, Utah (AP) — BYU took the fight to Gonzaga and sent a message to everyone

No. 23 BYU edges Santa Clara 85-75

John Coon Feb. 20, 2020 11:30 PM EST
PROVO, Utah (AP) — T.J. Haws scored 28 points and added nine assists to help No

Utah forward Timmy Allen (1) guards California guard Matt Bradley, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah stifles California for 60-45 win

By John Coon Feb. 08, 2020 10:16 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Finding his shot has largely been a chore for Timmy Allen

Jones, Jantunen power Utah past Washington State 76-64

By John Coon Jan. 25, 2020 10:41 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — For a second straight game, Rylan Jones made plays all