Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Runnin' Utes (5-4) have won two straight coming into their game with Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma (6-3) at the Huntsman Center Saturday afternoon.
On Wednesday, the Utes beat the University of Michigan by 16 points by putting together a late charge lead by Junior guard Carlon Brown, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half. Utah will look to build off their win over a team from a major conference (Michigan-Big 10) by beating a team from another major conference (Oklahoma-Big 12).
The Sooners are coming to Salt Lake City winners of four straight, including a pair of 20-point wins over Arkansas and Arizona, both games at home. But Oklahoma has a weak 1-4 record when playing away from the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. The Sooners will look to improve their road woes Saturday against the Runnin' Utes.
"Oklahoma is an athletic, strong and a skilled team," said Utah Coach Jim Boylen Wednesday night.
The young Sooners squad certainly fills Coach Boylen's description. They are lead by super Sophomore Willie Warren (Ft. Worth, TX) who averages 18.6 points per game and is a sure lottery pick in next year's NBA Draft. Tiny Gallon a 6'9" 296 pound Freshman (Vallejo, CA) provides quite the presence in the paint for Oklahoma by averaging 10.1 rebounds a game. Freshmen floor general Tommy Mason-Griffin (Houston, TX) leads the team in assists, dishing out 5.2 dimes a game. Senior leadership is provided by 6'6" guard Tony Crocker (San Antonio, TX) who is coming off a 33 point 13 rebound escapade against Centenary Wednesday night. Crocker scored 21 of 33 points from behind the 3-point line.
Utah will continue to look to Marshall Henderson (Hurst, TX) who had a career night on Wednesday with 22 points on 9-18 shooting from the field and high flying Carlon Brown who leads the team in scoring with 12.7 points per game. Kim Tillie and David Foster will play a big role in the the paint by disrupting shots and crashing the boards. Tillie is leading the Runnin' Utes in rebounds this year by snagging 6.6 boards a game. Foster had 5 big blocks in Wednesday's game against Michigan. The play of Tillie and Foster will play a big role in Utah's defensive success against the big, athletic Sooner club Saturday afternoon.
Jeff Capel's Oklahoma Sooners will pose a stiff challenge for the Runnin' Utes. Tip-off is at 2:00pm at the Huntsman Center.
TV: VERSUS
Radio: KALL 700 AM
