OREM—Utah Valley wraps up its three-game road swing on Thursday night with a WAC contest at Tarleton State at the new EECU Center, which is in its inaugural season. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+, with radio coverage on the Wolverine Sports Network/ESPN The Fan.

Utah Valley (15–6, 5–3 WAC) aims to stop a two-game skid after Saturday's 78–71 overtime setback at California Baptist. Despite the result, the Wolverines continue to own one of the league's most complete statistical profiles, ranking among the national leaders in rebounding margin (+5.1), assists per game (18.0), blocks per game (5.5), and steals per game (10.0). UVU enters Thursday fourth nationally in effective field goal percentage (.586), eighth in field goal percentage (.499), and 13th in assists per game.

Individually, sophomore forward Isaac Davis (13.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, .586 FG%) continues to anchor UVU's interior scoring, while redshirt sophomore Jackson Holcombe adds 13.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Redshirt junior guard Trevan Leonhardt fuels the attack with 6.1 assists per game (26th nationally) and is one of only four Division I players averaging at least 11 points, five rebounds, and six assists this season. Guard Tyler Hendricks remains one of the most efficient perimeter shooters in the country at 45.9% from deep.

Tarleton State (11–9, 2–5 WAC) returns to action for the first time since a 71–64 road setback at UT Arlington on Jan. 21. The Texans have been idle for more than a week due to winter weather across Texas, which forced the postponement of Saturday's scheduled home game vs. Abilene Christian. That game was moved to Monday before being postponed again, leaving Thursday as Tarleton State's first home appearance since falling 84–80 to ACU on Jan. 8.

Despite the recent schedule disruption, Tarleton State enters with one of the most disruptive defensive profiles in college basketball. The Texans rank No. 1 nationally in turnovers forced per game (18.85), No. 2 in steals per game (11.2), and No. 14 in turnover margin (+4.4), fueling transition offense and controlling tempo. Tarleton also ranks No. 16 nationally in fastbreak points (16.55 per game) and continues to lean on defensive pressure to generate scoring opportunities.

The Texans are led by junior guard Dior Johnson, who ranks second nationally in scoring at 23.6 points per game while shooting 54.7 percent from the field and 85.2 percent at the foul line. Cam McDowell averages 13.8 points per game and forward Freddy Hicks contributes 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. 

Utah Valley leads the all-time series 8–3 and has won four straight over the Texans, including an 85–78 victory in Stephenville on Jan. 1.

Following Thursday's matchup, Utah Valley returns home to host Abilene Christian on Thursday, Feb. 5, putting its 22-game home winning streak, tied for one of the longest in the nation, on the line at the UCCU Center.