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SALT LAKE CITY — The Runnin' Utes are back in the Big Dance for the second straight year.
The University of Utah men's basketball team is back at it again with a No. 3 seed heading into the NCAA Tournament. Utah, (26-8) and winner of eight of its last nine games, is traveling to Denver this Thursday to play the Mountain West Conference tournament winner, Fresno State.
The Bulldogs are on a nine-game winning streak heading into Thursday's game, and last Saturday Fresno State upset the favorite in the Mountain West, San Diego State, 68-63 to claim their spot in the NCAA Tournament and their first tournament berth since 2001.
Not only did it take the Bulldogs 15 years to get back to the tournament, but also they're the only team representing the Mountain West Conference. Fresno State is led by Marvelle Harris, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who is averaging 20.6 points per game, which ranks third in the conference. Harris recorded a conference best 4.56 assists per game.
Senior guard Brandon Taylor will be a key player against the Bulldogs as he will look to slow down the explosive Harris. Taylor was named to the Pac-12's all defensive team earlier this month.
"Fresno State is a very good team," said Taylor. "They have a lot of athletes and are very good defensively. They are a nine-game winning streak, so we have to be dialed in, but I'm excited. This is what March Madness is all about."
In order for Utah to win, it needs to gain back its confidence following a blowout loss in the Pac-12 championship game to Oregon, 88-57. The Runnin' Utes looked tired and were unable to get 7-foot Austrian superstar Jakob Poeltl involved. Utah committed a season high 20 turnovers in the game and couldn't stop the high-flying Ducks.
"I think were still getting over the whole tournament experience," said Poeltl. "We've got to learn from the game last night and move on."
Utah went 0 for 3 against Oregon this season, losing seven straight games to the Ducks. Earlier in the season, Fresno State played a hard-fought game with Oregon, however it came up short, 78-73. The Bulldogs' five-point loss was closer to any three of the Utah vs. Oregon games this season.
As Thursday's game approaches between Utah and Fresno State, the Runnin' Utes realize that it's March and anyone can get upset at any given time of the tournament. Whether or not Utah is a No. 3 seed, it will look to rely on its experience from last year's success to help its chances winning one game at a time.
"Just the simple fact that we have been there before," said Kyle Kuzma. "We can't take any game lightly. We just have to have the mindset of survive and advance." Montana Shaum
