The Washington Huskies host the #20-ranked Utah Utes on Friday, February 2, 2024.
The Washington Huskies (13-6 overall, 3-5 PAC) face the #20-ranked Utah Utes (15-6 overall; 5-4 PAC) on Friday, February 2 at 7PM Pacific.
The video broadcast of the matchup between the Huskies and Utes will be streaming on Washington Livestream; and streaming audio at LISTEN TO HUSKIES RADIO CALL.
In their last game before facing Utah, Utah lost to Oregon State, 91-66, on Sunday.
DAWGS vs UTES
SERIES HISTORY
Utah has won the last three matchups in the series.
However, Utah only has a 4-10 record against Washington in Seattle.
In their last meeting between the teams was on Feb. 10, 2023, when Utah defeated the Huskies 92-69 in Salt Lake City.
Next season, Washington moves to the B1G Conference, while Utah moves to the Big 12 conference.
It is unknown at this time, if this series between the schools will continue.
Utes Offense
The Utah Utes offense averages 82.4 points per game; while the Huskies defense is holding opponents to 54.1 points per game.
Utah is a good three-point shooting team at 37% accuracy from beyond the arc.
Currently, the Huskies are holding opponents to 27% shooting from three-point range.
The Utah Utes are high volume three-point shooters (578 three-point attempts); Utah is averaging 30.4 three-point attempts per game (Top 1% nationally).
The Utes also make 57.9% of their two-point attempts.
Gianna Kneepkens
Utah will be without their star guard Gianna Kneepkens, Pac-12 First Team All-Conference last season as a sophomore.
Kneepkins broke several bones in her right foot in December 2023 and is out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
Still, seven (7) remaining Utah Utes players average 7 points or more per game, but there is one main threat.
Alissa Pili
The performance of Alissa Pilli, a 6’2″ Senior forward, is likely to determine the outcome of this game.
A leading Player of the Year candidate, Alissa Pili is Utah’s leading scorer at 22.6 points per game; along with 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks.
Pili starts it off for the Utes @alissa_pili #GoUtes
📺 https://t.co/VZG2vbpi0T pic.twitter.com/JrLF1vj84H— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 28, 2024
Pili is an offensive threat from all three levels — 57.4% shooting overall, 81.3% from the free throw line (so fouling her does not stop her) and shooting 64.0% for two-pointers and 40.5% from three-point range.
Here comes @alissa_pili 🔥#NCAAWBB x 🎥 ESPN2 / @UTAHWBB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) January 23, 2024
As goes Pili, so goes the Utes.
Fastest Ute to 1⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ points 🙌@alissa_pili is HER#GoUtes | @UTAHWBB pic.twitter.com/toEkwYrL7Q
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) January 16, 2024
If the Huskies do not find an answer for her defensively, Alissa Pili is capable of scoring 30 plus points.
Kennady McQueen is a 6’0″ guard and the Utes second-leading scorer at 10.3 points per game; along with 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals.
McQueen is another three-level offensive threat for the Utes that is dangerous from anywhere on the court — i.e., a scorching 40% accuracy from three-point range; 67.3% on two-pointers, including 50% from midrange, 74.2% at the rim (within 4.5 feet) and 56.3% from further out in the lane.
Jenna Johnson is a 6′ 2″ Junior forward and the Utes third-leading scorer at 9.0 points per game; along with 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Johnson is primarily an inside-outside threat, who scores in the lane as well as from three-point distance.
JJ making moves and peep the dish from Pili @jenna_johnson22 @alissa_pili #GoUtes
📺 https://t.co/Gj9WIuq7XK pic.twitter.com/HblpGq05II— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 14, 2024
Ines Vieira is a 5′ 6″ Junior guard and the Utes fourth-leading scorer (tied) at 7.9 points per game; along with 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 6.2 assists per game.
Vieira is a deadly three-point shooter from straightaway (41.3% accuracy) as well as a threat to dribble penetrate the lane and score inside the lane (40%) or at the rim (56.7% within 4.5 feet) .
Vieira forcing it into OVERTIME#GoUtes 📺 https://t.co/hz457EnVZF pic.twitter.com/t5Ls4c7rqd
— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 23, 2024
Dasia Young is a 5′ 11″ Senior forward and the Utes fourth-leading scorer (tied) at 7.9 points per game; along with 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 steals per game.
Young is most adept at scoring inside the lane but she takes almost an equal number of tw0-point attempts (67) as three-point attempts (69) — she is an average three-point shooter only on straightaway threes (31.4%).
FROM THE CORNER @Dasia_Young11 #GoUtes
📺 https://t.co/hz457Enoa7 pic.twitter.com/6VH6q5f4VX— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 23, 2024
Maty Wilke is a 5′ 11″ Senior forward and the Utes sixth-leading scorer at 7.3 points per game; along with 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 steals per game.
Matty Wilke is primarily a three-point threat on straightwaay threes (37.3% accuracy) but not much of a scoring threat from anywhere else on the court.
From wayyyyy downtown 👌 @MatyWilke #NCAAWBB x 🎥 ESPN2 / @UTAHWBB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) January 23, 2024
Isabel Palmer is a 5′ 11″ Senior forward and the Utes seventh-leading scorer at 7.1 points per game; along with 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 steals per game.
Isabel Palmer is a solid three-level scorer, although with low-volume attempts, she is unlikely to take over a game scoring-wise.
Palmer makes 36% from three-point range; 57.9% of her two-point attempts, including 100% from mid-range, 63.6% at the rim (within 4.5 feet) and 42.9% from further out in the lane.
Doin’ in all 💪 @palmerisabel11 #NCAAWBB x 🎥 Pac-12 Mountain / @UTAHWBB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) January 20, 2024
UW has seven players shooting 32.2% or better from beyond the arc :