OREM, Utah — Utah Valley returns to action Saturday afternoon as the Wolverines host in-state rival Utah Tech in the Old Hammer Rivalry at the UCCU Center. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MT on ESPN+, with radio coverage on the Wolverine Sports Network/ESPN The Fan.
Utah Valley (13–4, 3–1 WAC) enters the weekend riding a 20-game home winning streak following an 89–72 victory over Southern Utah on Thursday night. The win extended UVU's streak to the fifth-longest active home run in Division I and improved the Wolverines to 8–0 at the UCCU Center this season. Utah Valley's 14–3 start through 17 games marks the best opening stretch in program history, backed by a program-record 10–2 non-conference performance.
The Wolverines continue to rank among the nation's most efficient teams, checking in seventh nationally in assists per game, seventh in field goal percentage, and ninth in blocks per game. Junior guard Tyler Hendricks ranks fifth nationally in three-point percentage, junior point guard Trevan Leonhardt sits sixth nationally in total assists, and redshirt sophomore forward Jackson Holcombe has registered five double-doubles while ranking among national leaders in field goal percentage and steals.
Utah Tech (9–8, 2–1 WAC) enters the matchup following an 84–72 road setback at California Baptist on Thursday night. The Trailblazers opened league play with wins over Southern Utah and Abilene Christian and feature one of the WAC's more balanced scoring groups led by senior forward Ethan Potter, who averages 16.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Potter played at Utah Valley from 2022–25 before transferring to Utah Tech during the offseason.
Saturday marks the 12th Division I meeting between the programs and the continuation of a rivalry that stretches back more than five decades. Utah Valley holds an 8–3 advantage in the Division I series, including a 74–57 win over Utah Tech last March in Las Vegas. The Wolverines are 5–1 against the Trailblazers in Orem and have won four straight in the series.
Utah Valley will look to maintain its position atop the WAC standings and build on its strong NCAA NET profile. The Wolverines checked in at No. 83 in the latest NET release, ranking third among Division I programs in the state of Utah and first among WAC teams.
Following Saturday's matchup, Utah Valley continues its homestand next Saturday, Jan. 17, against UT Arlington at the UCCU Center.
