Colorado at Utah: How to watch, game time, TV schedule

Buffs head to Salt Lake City for a meeting with the Utes

A week off for Colorado (15-6, 6-4 Pac-12) might be just what the doctor ordered after being handed their fifth loss of the season on the road against the Washington State. The Buffs were led by KJ Simpson, who had 25 points and eight rebounds. Right behind him was Tristan da Silva with 16 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Utah (14-7, 5-5 Pac-12) comes in having lost their last two games after falling on the road to Washington by a score of 98-73. The Utes had three players in double figures with Deivon Smith, Ben Carlson, and Cole Bajema throwing up a combined 43 points.

Utah, like Colorado, is perfect on the season at home. They’ve put up an 11-0 record at Jon M. Huntsman Center. As for the Buffs, the road hasn’t been kind in Pac-12 play at 1-5 away from Boulder.

The Utes are led by Branden Carlson, who is averaging 16.7 points per game, which is seventh best in the Pac-12. The All-Pac-12 First-Teamer is also fourth in the conference in blocks per game with 1.4. He’s a true 7-footer with a block in the last eight games, and twice this season, he has had five in a game. In the last two meetings against CU, he has averaged 15 points and 2.5 blocks per contest.

Carlson could change how CU attacks the rim. Utah is not afraid to shoot the deep ball either. On the year, Gabe Madsen is shooting 42 percent from deep for the second-best mark in the conference (23rd, nationally). Add in Bajema, who shoots 40 percent from beyond the arc. Carlson can also stretch the floor, knocking down 32 threes on the season. This is a trio that can give CU issues from outside the perimeter.

KJ Simpson has been the best player for the Buffs this season. On Tuesday, he was named to the Wooden Award late season top 20 watch list and leads the team in scoring, averaging 19.2 points per game. He is also fifth in the conference in three-point percentage at 46 percent. Buffaloes star freshman Cody Williams leads the Pac-12 at 52 percent. Colorado can be effective from 3-point range, as they shoot 39 percent from deep and lead the Pac-12 (9th, nationally).

This game might be won on the glass. Colorado is led by Eddie Lampkin Jr. who averages 7.4 boards per game, which puts him at fifth in the Pac-12. However, Utah as a team is 2nd in the conference.

There are only three Pac-12 teams that are perfect at home, with Arizona being the other. CU will need a complete game to give Utah their first home loss of the season. The Buffs comes in this matchup as what looks like one of the last teams in for the NCAA tournament. If they want to make a run towards March, they need to find a way to win away from Boulder. This is a perfect opportunity to improve their chances of making the big dance. It will also give them more confidence on the road that lies ahead.

Tip: 5 p.m. ET

TV: Pac-12 Network (Guy Haberman, Earl Watson) Available on Fubo

Watch Online: Pac-12 Now 

Radio: KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson, Scott Wilke)

Satellite: Sirius XM 385 & SXM 975