Skip To Main Content

Utah Valley University Athletics

Home of the Utah Valley University Wolverines
Marcel Davis
Linsey McClain

Men's Basketball

Utah Valley set to take on No. 3 Arizona Tuesday


Utah Valley at #3 Arizona | Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, 7 p.m. MT
Television: Pac-12 Network (Roxy Bernstein/Bill Walton)
Radio: 960 AM The Zone (Jim McCulloch)

Live Video  |  Live Audio  |  Live Stats
OREM, Utah—The Utah Valley University men's basketball team will play its final contest of a seven-game road stretch at No. 3 Arizona Tuesday night at McKale Arena in Tucson, Ariz. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (MT).
 
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 the team 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 on 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," said Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker. "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 that Utah Valley has played a nationally ranked opponent. Arizona will be the highest ranked team that 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 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 three-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.

Tuesday's game will tip off at 7 p.m. (MT) and will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Network.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Mitch Bruneel

#15 Mitch Bruneel

F
6' 5"
Senior
Brenden Evans

#20 Brenden Evans

F
6' 5"
Senior
Marcel Davis

#0 Marcel Davis

G
6' 2"
Senior
Zach Nelson

#21 Zach Nelson

F
6' 7"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Mitch Bruneel

#15 Mitch Bruneel

6' 5"
Senior
F
Brenden Evans

#20 Brenden Evans

6' 5"
Senior
F
Marcel Davis

#0 Marcel Davis

6' 2"
Senior
G
Zach Nelson

#21 Zach Nelson

6' 7"
Junior
F

Facilities