JOHN COON
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

Washington's Jaden McDaniels, left, and Isaiah Stewart (33) battle against Utah's Mikael Jantunen (20)and Branden Carlson, rear, for a rebound in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah rallies to stun Washington 67-66

By John Coon Jan. 24, 2020 12:05 AM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — On a night where nothing seemed to be going right on

Utah State guard Brock Miller (22) and San Diego State guard Jordan Schakel watch a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Logan, Utah. (AP Photo/Eli Lucero)
No. 13 San Diego State beats Utah State to improve to 15-0

By John Coon Jan. 05, 2020 01:59 AM EST
LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Stout defense is a cornerstone of success for San Diego

Oregon State guard Gianni Hunt (0) dunks on Utah center Lahat Thioune (32) in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah beats Oregon State 81-69 behind Allen’s double-double

By John Coon Jan. 02, 2020 10:47 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah offered up a sneak preview of the fast pace and

UC Davis guard Stefan Gonzalez (2) shoots as Utah center Lahat Thioune (32) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Allen scores 20 as Utah fends off UC Davis 77-73

By John Coon Nov. 29, 2019 11:17 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Sharing the ball opened the door for good things to

Utah State guard Abel Porter (15) takes a shot as UTSA forward Luka Barisic (44) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (AP Photo/Eli Lucero)
No. 15 Utah State routs UTSA 82-50

By John Coon Nov. 18, 2019 10:57 PM EST
LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Opponents are quickly discovering that generating offense

Utah forward Timmy Allen (1) stretches out for a shot as Minnesota guard Payton Willis (0) defends during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)
Utah outlasts Minnesota for 73-69 victory

By John Coon Nov. 15, 2019 11:22 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Inexperience is not robbing Utah's poise late in games.

Utah State forward Justin Bean (34) celebrates after making a basket while being fouled during the team's NCAA college basketball game against Weber State on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (AP Photo/Eli Lucero) ///
Bean scores 18, No. 17 Utah State routs Weber State 89-34

By John Coon Nov. 08, 2019 10:53 PM EST
LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Utah State had no trouble turning a normally close rivalry

Youthful Utah aims to defy Pac-12 expectations

By John Coon Oct. 24, 2019 07:45 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Describing Utah as the youngest Pac-12 basketball team