BYU, Utah agree to 4-year hoops extension through 2023

PROVO — The longest standing rivalry in the state’s college basketball history isn’t going anywhere.

BYU and Utah mutually announced a four-year extension to the 260-game series that dates back to 1909, beginning Dec. 12 in the Marriott Center and alternating home-court venues through the 2023 season.

“BYU vs. Utah is one of the greatest rivalries in college basketball,” BYU head coach Mark Pope said in a statement. “We love playing the in-state games. They are a hallmark for college basketball and are so special for our players and fans. We can’t wait to get back on t he court to get ready for next season.”

BYU leads the all-time series 131-129, including a 75-49 mark in Provo. But the Utes hold the most recent victory, erasing a 16-point second-half deficit to top the Cougars 102-95 in overtime last December to improve to 75-49 in the Huntsman Center.

Utah is 4-4 against BYU since the two one-time conference rivals parted ways, one for the Pac-12 and the other for the West Coast Conference. The series has only been interrupted twice — once by World War II, and the other by a brief halt when the Utes bought out the 2016 edition of the game.

In addition to the Utes, BYU also has nonconference series scheduled with intra-county rival Utah Valley on Nov. 28 — the first of a three-game series that includes the second-ever game in Orem in 2021. The Cougars will also face Boston College, George Mason and Tulsa in the round-robin Junkanoo Jam Nov. 17-21 in the Bahamas.

With the finalized series, Utah’s nonconference schedule is likely close to finished. The Utes will face UVU, Missouri and Cal State Fullerton, as well as a trek to the Battle 4 Atlantis Nov. 25-27.

The Pac-12 is preparing to play a 20-game conference schedule beginning with the 2020-21 men’s basketball season.

Related topics