Colorado vs. Utah: How to watch, game time, TV Schedule
Colorado (17-9, 8-7 Pac-12) is coming off a big double overtime win on the road a week ago against the USC Trojans. It was just the second true road win of the season for the Buffs, as they came from behind to get the win 92-89. KJ Simpson exploded in the victory, scoring 24 of his team high 30 points in the second half. He also had nine rebounds and five assists for the Buffs. Tristan da Silva added in 18 and star freshman Cody Williams dropped 14 on the Trojans. Junior guard J’Vonne Hadley finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
The Utah Utes (16-10, 7-8 Pac-12) are also coming off a big road win. They took down UCLA in Los Angeles by a score of 70-69. Branden Carlson’s put back with 0.2 second left on the game clock secured the win at Pauly Pavilion. The Utes finished the game with four players in double figures. Deivon Smith finished the game with 17 points and 10 assists for his fifth double-double of the season. Carlson’s game winner was part of his 17 points and both Gabe Madsen and Cole Bajema finished the game with 11 points each.
Utah got the better of CU in the first meeting between these two schools with a 73-68 win in Salt Lake City. Smith had a near triple-double, finishing the game with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Madsen also led the Utes with 21 points. For the Buffs, Eddie Lampkin Jr. finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Simpson scored 25 points and had 9 rebounds in the loss. Now, CU looks to return the favor at home where they are 13-1 on the season, which is tied for the best record at home in the Pac-12 with Arizona. The Utes come in 2-6 away from SLC as they hope to shock the Buffs at the CU Events Center.
Craig Smith's team is led by the true seven-footer in Carlson, who averages 16.9 points per game, along with seven rebounds. He’s fifth in the conference in scoring and is Mr. Durability, as he passed the great Andre Miller and Drew Hansen for most games played with 135 games. He’s currently eighth in Utah history for points. CU will need to contain Smith who is the best at dishing out the ball, averaging 6.2 assists per game. He also has five double-doubles on the year, along with a triple-double earlier this season against Stanford. The Utes come in fourth right behind the Buffs (80.3) in scoring averaging 78.3 points a game. They are also second in the Pac-12 in rebounds averaging 39.5 a game.
Colorado also has one of the best in the business when it comes to passing the ball. KJ Simpson is fifth in the conference, averaging 4.7 assists per game. His 19.2 points a game puts him third in the Pac-12 in scoring (45th, nationally). Eddie Lampkin Jr. could be the difference maker in this game. The TCU transfer leads the Buffs in rebounds with an average of seven per game. On the season, Lampkin has seven double-doubles, his last coming five games ago against this Utah team.
To win this game, CU must have better ball control. The Buffs come in dead last in turnovers with 12 per game. They’ll also need to be a force on the glass to come out on top.
The Buffs are one game out of fourth place in the conference standings. An important factor with the top four teams getting a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament. As the race for March Madness becomes more clear, these next three games at home for CU are huge. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has CU as one of the next four out for the Tournament. However, CBS Sports Jerry Palm has Tad Boyle’s team as one of the first four teams in for the tourney. Either way, CU must keep winning to get in and the March continues Saturday against Utah.
Tip: 7:10 p.m. MT
TV: Pac-12 Network (Ted Robinson, Sed Bonner) Available on Fubo- Start your free trail
Watch Online: Pac-12 Now App, Pac-12.com
Radio: KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson, Scott Wilke)
Satellite: Sirius XM 373 & SXM App (Pac-12)
