Men’s Basketball
Runnin’ Utes Run Past Eastern Washington in Season Opener Senior center Branden Carlson Named to Abdul-Jabbar Watch List
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Utah remains at home as it welcomes in UC Riverside into the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Friday, Nov. 10, as part of its Military Appreciation Night. Carlson on Abdul-Jabar Award Watch List Branden Carlson was one of 20 players named to the 2024 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List by the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame committee. The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award recognizes the top centers in men’s college basketball and is in its 10th year of existence. The 7-footer had his best season yet in 2022-23, leading the team with 16.4 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game and 2.0 blocks per game. Carlson was much improved shooting from the flooring, recording a .496 clip from the field to go with a .331 clip from beyond the arc. He was also just 1-of-5 players listed as centers last year that made 40 or more shots from 3-point range and was the only one from a Power 6 league.
The Runnin’ Utes kicked things into high gear on Monday in their season-opener at home, dominating Eastern Washington 101-66 inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah went on an 18-8 run to lead 30-18 at the 4:00 mark of the first half. That lead would only grow for the Utes as they finished out the final four minutes of the frame with a 14-2 run that was aided by 15 first-half points from Rollie Worster. Gabe Madsen led the way in the second half for Utah, scoring 13 of his game-high 20 points on 5-of-7 shooting – three of those baskets coming from downtown. Cole Bajema and Madsen were both just shy of their career-highs. Bajema was a
basket away from surpassing his previous career-high of 18 before finishing with 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Worster had a great night for the Utes, posting 15 points with 5 rebounds, 8 assists and a career-high 6 steals. Meanwhile, a trio of other Utes chipped in with 11 points including Branden Carlson, Keba Keita and Ben Carlson. Keita also recorded his first-career double- double on Monday pulling down 11 boards to go with his 11 points. The Utes eclipsed the century mark for the first time since defeating BYU at home on Dec. 4, 2019, in thrilling overtime game. The Utes were also plus-20 on the boards, outrebounding Eastern Washington 48-28.
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2023
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