How To Watch, Listen To Colorado Buffs Vs. Utah Basketball
Feb 4, 2025, 2:35 PM
Feb 3, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) is fouled going to the basket by Colorado Buffaloes forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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SALT LAKE CITY—Craig Smith and his Utah basketball squad will be back at home in the Jon M. Huntsman Center to take on the Colorado Buffaloes.
The Runnin’ Utes lost 81-72 to Oklahoma State on Saturday. They fell to 12-9 overall and 4-6 in Big 12 play.
Meanwhile, the Buffs lost 68-57 to TCU on Sunday. They come into this contest 9-12 and 0-10 in league play.
Utah cannot afford to look past Tad Boyle’s squad, this is one they simply have to take care of business in.
Colorado Vs. Utah Basketball, How To Watch, Listen
Date: February, 5, 2025
Tip-Off: 7:00 pm (MST)
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Radio: ESPN 700 AM
Mark Neely will have the action on ESPN+ alongside former Arizona Wildcat Corey Williams as the former Pac-12 rivals duel it out for the first time as members of the Big 12 Conference.
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Utah has to prepare for tougher Colorado effort
Through 10 contests, the Buffs have yet to win a Big 12 conference game. They fell to the TCU Horned Frogs 68-57, but they kept it close for most of the game.
TCU did not take control of the game until a 12-0 run late in the second half. So, despite their record, the Buffs remain competitive in these contests.
Utah has to be mentally prepared for a battle. Several Colorado players have played against Utah in the Pac-12, so there is plenty of familiarity, which can add confidence to the equation.
Coach Boyle will have his team ramped up to compete for this one and will have his team believing they can secure their first Big 12 win against the Utes.
Utah needs to force more turnovers
The Utes will need a much better defensive effort against Colorado than the one they had on Saturday. The Utes allowed Oklahoma State to shoot nearly 50% from the field and 40% on 20 3-point attempts in the game.
Colorado has struggled to protect the basketball and that has to be a point of emphasis for Utah. The Buffs actually lead the league in turnovers at 16.2 per game. However, they are actually ahead of Utah in turnover margin.
The Utes are the only team not forcing double-digit turnovers in league play. Their negative turnover margin is -6.2 (14.4 turnovers to just 8.4 turnovers forced), compared to Colorado’s -4.4 (16.2 turnovers and 11.8 forced).
Utah should make this a greater point of emphasis, and Colorado is a great matchup to do this against.
Hunt for quality shots and attack the glass
Utah must work for quality shots on the offensive end because Colorado will give them up. And when shots don’t fall, the Utes should hit the offensive glass hard.
Colorado has allowed 31.2 points per game in the paint, and its opponents have an effective field goal rate of 52.9%. Utah comes into this game scoring 34.9 points per game in the paint and has an effective field goal percentage of 53.2%.
Utah currently averages 12.0 offensive rebounds per game, securing 33.8% of all available offensive rebound opportunities. Colorado is giving up 10.5 offensive boards a game but is allowing the 10th-highest offensive rebounds percentage at 31.2%.
Given the combination of high field goal percentage allowed and the offensive rebounding rate allowed, Utah should be able to put together an efficient night offensively.
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