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OREM — The Utah Valley University men's basketball team is off to a 5-2 start that includes a 114-101 win over crosstown foe BYU on Nov. 26. Sharpshooter Conner Toolson and the Wolverines are looking to add to the win column as they face two more in-state opponents this coming week.
UVU will travel to the Huntsman Center on Tuesday night for the first-ever meeting between the two schools. On Saturday afternoon, the Wolverines will try to break an 11-game losing streak to Utah State when they host the Aggies in the UCCU Center.
"We're definitely excited, especially for the Utah game," Toolson said. "UVU hasn't really been a force in this state, ever really. We're trying to make a difference. So we're going to go up there and give it the best shot we have. We beat BYU, so hopefully we can come with the same energy and the same mentality … and be able to surprise some people."
Second-year head coach Mark Pope was a little light-hearted in his comments about the upcoming in-state contests but said he knows it is a great opportunity for his program to continue to grow.
"We just have some easy games coming up and guys get to relax," Pope said with a smile. "I get to play the whole roster, so we'll just see what happens.
"These Utes, with all real respect, and heavy respect to BYU and Utah State and Weber State. These Utes have been probably the best team in the state for the last couple of years. What coach (Larry) Krystkowiak had done at Utah during his tenure is truly extraordinary. … He has made this into an unbelievable program, so we're really grateful for the opportunity to go up there and compete."
Following the win over BYU, the Wolverines went 1-1 with a loss at Washington State on Wednesday. UVU fell behind by as many as 19 points in the second half before a Brandon Randolph dunk cut the lead to one with just over a minute to play. The Wolverines were unable to hit shots down the stretch and fell 83-76 to the Pac-12 Cougars.
The Wolverines got back in the winning column on Saturday night against UT-San Antonio, led by Toolson, who scored a game-high 29 points. It was a win that Pope said left his guys emotionally drained and that he was proud of the way his guys battled and came away with a win.
For Pope and the Wolverines, being able to play these in-state games is important, and it's good for the fans.
"I have told you guys how much I love these in-state games," Pope said. "I love them because it's great for our state. Basketball in our state is at such a high level. And because it doesn't hurt any of us … these in-state games are so fantastic and we're really grateful for all these guys for playing us."
In-state games, especially against a school from the Pac-12, will only help UVU in terms of RPI. Prior to the game in Provo, UVU had an RPI ranking of 98. However, the Wolverines jumped 37 spots to 61 after the win. If UVU can sweep the week and get its first-ever wins over Utah and USU, people might start paying more attention to the Wolverines.
Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs and the Utah Valley University Wolverines. He is a communication major at UVU and will graduate in the spring of 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias
