Utes Show Off Athleticism at ‘Night With The Utes’
Oct 18, 2018, 5:03 PM | Updated: 5:04 pm
Members of the University of Utah men's basketball team sign autographs at Night with the Utes. (Austin Facer, sports.ksl.com)
(Austin Facer, sports.ksl.com)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted a “Night with the Utes” open house Wednesday night at the Huntsman Center.
Timmy With The Hops
The festivities, which were open to the public, began with a dunk line and contest which was won, according to fan applause, by freshman Timmy Allen.
Timmy Allen (@timmybuckets35) with the 🐰💪 during our Dunk Contest. #GoUtes🔴🏀| #NightWithTheUtes pic.twitter.com/MEwl27FyhL
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) October 18, 2018
The Men And Women Go Head-to-Head
The men and women also competed against each other in a 3-point shooting contest with each team taking a victory from the other.
The Scrimmage
The men’s team then divided into two squads for an intrasquad contest. Donnie Tillman represented the White team well, leading the way with 12 points. However, it was the Red team who grabbed the 34-31 advantage with balanced scoring led by Vante Hendrix with 11 points.
1️⃣Half 🔴🆚⚪️Scrimmage Teams#GoUtes🔴🏀| #NightWithTheUtes pic.twitter.com/PBiAwqi2i9
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) October 18, 2018
At halftime of the men’s scrimmage, the women took the floor for a brief scrimmage of their own against a group of male students known as the “Red Army”. They defeated the Red Army 21-13 in a 10-minute contest. Senior Megan Huff led the scoring with six points.
In the second half of the men’s scrimmage, the teams were switched up.
2️⃣nd half about to begin with different teams.#GoUtes🔴🏀| #NightWithTheUtes pic.twitter.com/6mbe0qgBmM
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) October 18, 2018
The new-look Red team took control in the second half of the scrimmage, outscoring White 36-25.
Krystkowiak On Building Relationship With Fans
Several hundred Ute fans were in attendance for the evening. According to men’s head coach Larry Krystkowiak, events like Wednesday’s are crucial in developing a relationship with the fanbase.
“I don’t think we’re a program that puts our hand out and expects people to show up. We’re trying to be real active in the community,” said Krystkowiak.
Season Openers Coming Up
The men will begin their season with an exhibition game against the College of Idaho Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Huntsman Center. The women will tip off the season against Westminster Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. at the Huntsman Center.
