Utah's Branden Carlson Makes Pac-12 History

The Utah Utes are thriving this season thanks to the career year that record-breaking forward Branden Carlson is having

The Utah Runnin' Utes have gotten off to a hot start to the season, currently sporting a 12-5 record through their first 17 games.

One of the main reasons they have done so well is fifth-year senior center Branden Carlson. The big man out of South Jordan, Utah is having the best season of his college career thus far averaging a career-high 17.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 2.2 assists per game.

His strong start to the season, as well as the fact that he has been so effective in his 126 career games 120 of which he started, have led to him making Pac-12 history. According to social media post by the team and the Pac-12's Director of Communications, Carlson has become the first player to score 1500 points, grab 700 rebounds, record 200 blocks, and dish out 100 assists in a career.

Branden Carlson  / Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN's NCAA Bracketology, Utah currently projects as a No. 8 seed, and are viewed as one of just three tournament-bound Pac-12 teams. Carlson, who leads the team in points, rebounds, and blocks per game and the Runnin' Utes are set to return to action on Thursday against Oregon State as they look to bounce back following a loss to Stanford.

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According to ESPN's Mathcup Predictor, the Utes have a 95.2% chance of taking down the Beavers.