CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- The SUU Men's Basketball team is gearing up for a massive week of in-state basketball games in the America First Event Center. Playing host to Utah Tech and Utah Valley.
Head Coach Rob Jeter said
"This is a big week for us. Anytime you are hosting the rivalry game it is important to put on a good showing for all the fans. We are getting more and more healthy, so we just need to continue to play disciplined basketball as we inch closer to the postseason."
Game One Details
Presented by: State Bank of Southern Utah
RED OUT: WEAR RED
Who: Southern Utah (10-14, 2-8 WAC) vs Utah Tech (6-17, 2-6 WAC)
When: Thursday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cedar City, Utah, America First Event Center
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: HERE
Game Two Details
Presented by: Leavitt Group and Auto-Owners Insurance
DARK MODE: WEAR BLACK
Who: Southern Utah (10-14, 2-8 WAC) vs Utah Valley (17-7, 9-1 WAC)
When: Saturday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cedar City, Utah, America First Event Center
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: HERE
Matchup History
- SUU boasts a 5-3 win-loss record over Utah Tech, but most recently, the Trailblazers squeaked out a 70-68 win at Burns Arena in the final matchup a season ago.
- The Thunderbirds and the Wolverines are tied at 7-7 in their all-time history, with the Wolverines winning both games last year.
Scout the Trailblazers
Utah Tech is currently on a six-game losing skid, with both of their conference wins coming in the first two games of conference play against Tarleton St and UT Arlington.
Noa Gonsalves leads the Trailblazers in scoring at 14.1 points per game, with Beon Riley not far behind at 13.7. Gonsalves is a dangerous three-point shooter, with 55 makes on the year at a 37% clip. He has made at least two triples in 15 of the 23 games he has played in.
Riley is a 6'6 power forward who is a bully in the paint. He averages a team-high eight rebounds per game to go along with his 13.7 ppg. Riley scored the game-winning bucket against UT Arlington in their narrow win earlier this season.
Hakim Bird is another dangerous scorer for the Trailblazers; he can fill it up from three with 29 makes on the season at a 36% clip.
Scout the Wolverines
UVU sits at the top of the Western Athletic Conference, with its only loss coming at Grand Canyon.Â
Three players average double-digits scoring for the Wolverines. Junior guard Dominick Nelson leads the team at 15.4 on the year but is first in the WAC since conference play started at 17.9 points per game. Carter Welling is one of the best bigs in the conference, scoring 12.4 points per game, pulling down 5.7 rebounds, and averaging nearly two blocks per contest. Tanner Toolson averages 11.8 points per game and leads the team with 45 three-pointers on the year.
Trevan Leonhardt is seventh in the entire country in assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.5 on the year. He is averaging nearly six assists per game, which puts him in the top 50 in the country. He also leads the team in three-point percentage at 42%.
Utah Valley is a team that doesn't make a lot of mistakes. They play solid team basketball and are very hard to beat. The Thunderbirds must take care of the ball and play a strong, disciplined defensive game.
The Thunderbirds
Dominique Ford made his return to the lineup last time out against Abilene Christian and scored 10 points in just 19 minutes of action. Before he went down with an injury, he led the WAC in scoring in conference games, averaging just under 23 points per game.
Jamir Simpson is right behind Utah Valley guard Dominick Nelson in PPG in conference play at 17.4. Tavi Jackson will also likely make his return to the floor against Utah Tech on Thursday.
SUU had a massive win last week at California Baptist, where they held the Lancers to just 57 points. For the T-Birds to be successful this week, it will take that type of discipline and energy on the defensive side of the ball.
The Thunderbirds will also have to limit turnovers. Coming off a game against Abilene Christian, in which they had 22.
Brock Felder has been a significant presence inside. He leads the WAC in total blocks and blocks per game with 53 and 2.2.
Honoring A Former Thunderbird
SUU is doing something special at halftime of the Utah Tech game on Thursday, February 13. Taelin Webb was a former student-athlete who unfortunately passed away at far too young of an age. At halftime of the game, the university will posthumously confer Taelin Webb's degree, ensuring his dedication and hard work are officially recognized.
Please stay in your seats for the first five minutes to be a part of a special ceremony.
To learn more about Taelin Webb, please visit this article.
Tickets
Season tickets, mini packages, and single-game tickets are now available! Get yours today by visiting tbirdtickets.com
If the Thunderbirds beat the Trailblazers, you can score $5 tickets for up to 24 hours after the end of the game for Saturday's match-up with Utah Valley.
*Family and Food Four Pack - Get four tickets, four hot dogs, and four drinks for just $50. Each additional ticket and hot dog meal deal for just $12.50
*For Utah Valley only
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