Runnin' Utes Cruise Past ASU to Move on in the Pac-12 Tournament

Utah impressed on the opening night of the Pac-12 tournament with a rout of ASU despite Branden Carlson's limited play due to an elbow injury.

The Pac-12 Tournament is underway in Las Vegas and Utah had a tough opening game against ASU who the Utes lost to twice this season. However, Deivon Smith and Cole Bajema were determined to break that trend, especially with Branden Carlson fighting an injury. 

Utes advance! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BVk1ndbItt

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) March 14, 2024

For the Utes, Cole Bajema came in as the top scorer with a career-high 22 points going 7/11 from the field and 2/2 from the line. Meanwhile, Deivon Smith scored 15 points while also leading the team in rebounds with 10 and assists with 9, one shy of his fourth triple-double of the year. Despite still struggling with a left elbow injury and facing questions of whether he'd be available for the tournament, Branden Carlson played 18 minutes, knocking down 2/3 from beyond the arc. 

Utah forward Cole Bajema / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

For the Sun Devils, Frankie Collins led the team in scoring going 8/21 from the field and 2/4 from the line for 20 points. Meanwhile, Bryant Selebangue led ASU in rebounds with 8 and Jamiya Neal led the team in assists with 2. 

Utah took advantage of Arizona State's poor shooting night which led to the blowout 90-57 win. Shooting 31.4% from the field and an even more measly 15.8% from beyond the arc, the Sun Devils couldn't keep up with Utah's 59.3% from the field and 46.2% from beyond the arc. 

The Runnin' Utes have a date with the Colorado Buffaloes in the second round of the Pac-12 tournament. The Buffs who came into Vegas as the third seed in the conference had an extra day of rest, and while the two teams split their matchups in the regular season, it spells for a close matchup, especially with a trip to the semi-finals on the line.