The Utah Valley University basketball team plays its final contest of a seven-game road stretch at No. 3 Arizona on Tuesday night at McKale Arena in Tucson, Arizona.
Arizona, picked to defend its Pac-12 title this season, is a perfect 8-0 on the season. The No. 3 team in the country will be the highest-ranked team that Utah Valley has ever faced. Arizona is one of the winningest programs in the country over the past four years. The team did not lose a game at home during the 2013-14 season and has now won 26 straight home games. The Wildcats have only lost six games at home since 2010.
Arizona won this year's EA Sports Maui Invitational championship with wins over Missouri, Kansas State and No. 15 San Diego State. The team most recently defeated No. 8 Gonzaga, 66-63, in overtime Saturday night at home. Arizona boasts three players on the John R. Wooden Naismith Trophy Watch List. Stanley Johnson leads the team in scoring (13.8 ppg.) and rebounding (6.4 rpg.). Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Brandon Ashley also average double figures at 12.8 and 12.1 points per game, respectively.
"Arizona has developed a wonderful rich tradition," Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "The program arguably matches anyone in the West and in the United States. We know the challenge that we face and we look forward to the opportunity to play the top team in the country."
Tuesday night's meeting between Utah Valley and Arizona will mark the first time the two schools have met on the hardwood. The game will mark the fifth time Utah Valley has played a nationally ranked opponent. Arizona will be the highest ranked team Utah Valley has ever played. The Wolverines do hold two wins over Pac-12 opponents. UVU defeated Arizona State, 75-71, on Dec. 10, 2005, and Oregon State, 70-68, on Dec. 1, 2010.
Utah Valley enters Saturday's contest with a 3-4 record. The Wolverines dropped a 68-60 decision at Montana State on Saturday night in a game that included six ties and 13 lead changes. Junior guard Marcel Davis led Utah Valley with a season-high 17 points. Davis hit 6-of-10 shots from the field, including a 5-of-8 clip from the free-throw line. He also pulled down six rebounds, dished out three assists and recorded a steal. Senior forward Brenden Evans also reached double figures with 10 points. Evans knocked down 4-of-8 shots from the field. Senior forward Mitch Bruneel nearly tallied a double-double with nine rebounds and eight points. The Wolverines shot 45.1 percent from the field, while the Bobcats hit 45.3 percent of their shots. Utah Valley scored 36 points in the paint compared to MSU's 20. The Wolverines went 2-for-12 from 3-point range, while the Bobcats hit 6-of-18 shots from beyond the arc.
Through six games this season, Bruneel leads the Wolverines in scoring at 12.6 points per contest. Zach Nelson is leading the team in rebounding, pulling down 6.6 boards per game. Davis fronts the team in assists at 4.3 per game.
Arizona, picked to defend its Pac-12 title this season, is a perfect 8-0 on the season. The No. 3 team in the country will be the highest-ranked team that Utah Valley has ever faced. Arizona is one of the winningest programs in the country over the past four years. The team did not lose a game at home during the 2013-14 season and has now won 26 straight home games. The Wildcats have only lost six games at home since 2010.
Arizona won this year's EA Sports Maui Invitational championship with wins over Missouri, Kansas State and No. 15 San Diego State. The team most recently defeated No. 8 Gonzaga, 66-63, in overtime Saturday night at home. Arizona boasts three players on the John R. Wooden Naismith Trophy Watch List. Stanley Johnson leads the team in scoring (13.8 ppg.) and rebounding (6.4 rpg.). Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Brandon Ashley also average double figures at 12.8 and 12.1 points per game, respectively.
"Arizona has developed a wonderful rich tradition," Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "The program arguably matches anyone in the West and in the United States. We know the challenge that we face and we look forward to the opportunity to play the top team in the country."
Tuesday night's meeting between Utah Valley and Arizona will mark the first time the two schools have met on the hardwood. The game will mark the fifth time Utah Valley has played a nationally ranked opponent. Arizona will be the highest ranked team Utah Valley has ever played. The Wolverines do hold two wins over Pac-12 opponents. UVU defeated Arizona State, 75-71, on Dec. 10, 2005, and Oregon State, 70-68, on Dec. 1, 2010.
Utah Valley enters Saturday's contest with a 3-4 record. The Wolverines dropped a 68-60 decision at Montana State on Saturday night in a game that included six ties and 13 lead changes. Junior guard Marcel Davis led Utah Valley with a season-high 17 points. Davis hit 6-of-10 shots from the field, including a 5-of-8 clip from the free-throw line. He also pulled down six rebounds, dished out three assists and recorded a steal. Senior forward Brenden Evans also reached double figures with 10 points. Evans knocked down 4-of-8 shots from the field. Senior forward Mitch Bruneel nearly tallied a double-double with nine rebounds and eight points. The Wolverines shot 45.1 percent from the field, while the Bobcats hit 45.3 percent of their shots. Utah Valley scored 36 points in the paint compared to MSU's 20. The Wolverines went 2-for-12 from 3-point range, while the Bobcats hit 6-of-18 shots from beyond the arc.
Through six games this season, Bruneel leads the Wolverines in scoring at 12.6 points per contest. Zach Nelson is leading the team in rebounding, pulling down 6.6 boards per game. Davis fronts the team in assists at 4.3 per game.
