The Runnin' Utes have announced their non-conference schedule for the upcoming season. Utah will play 13 games prior to Big 12 play, as well as two exhibition matches to make a total of 15. The schedule looks like a good mix of tune-up games as well as challenges against good programs to prepare them for when conference play starts.
For the two exhibition matches, the Utes will face off against some West Coast foes. Nevada comes to the Huntsman Center on October 17th. Utah will then travel to face an old foe in the Oregon Ducks for a friendly exhibition match between the former Pac-12 rivals on October 24th.
The season truly begins with the home opener against San Jose State on November 3rd. The Utes will face an in-state rival, Weber State, on November 8th. Utah then faces Holy Cross on November 10th. marking the first time the schools have played against each other since 1988. Sam Houston State and Purdue Fort Wayne will visit the Huntsman on November 15th and 18th, respectively. For the final part of a six game homestand, Utah will face Cal Poly on November 20th.
Utah will then make a trip to Palm Desert, California to play in the Acrisure Series. The game against Purdue Fort Wayne is the home game portion of that series. They'll face off against Grand Canyon on November 25th. GCU is a quality opponent, making the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five seasons. Depending on how the first day of games go, Utah will then face either Ole Miss or Iowa in the second game on November 26th. Both games will take place on a neutral floor in Palm Desert.
As the calendar turns to December, the Utes will stick around in California to play against the Cal Golden Bears on December 2nd, another former Pac-12 foe. Utah will then return home to play Cal Baptist on December 6th.
The Utes will then play a game at the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz. They'll face Mississippi State on December 13th in downtown Salt Lake City. Eastern Washington comes to town on December 20th for the last home game of non-conference play. From there, the Utes will travel up to Washington to play against the Huskies for one more game against a former Pac-12 rival.
Utah will have their share of tougher games in this non-conference schedule. Some of them are foes they faced last year. Utah has a brand new roster and a lot of hope with new head coach Alex Jensen at the helm. They're hoping this slate of games will allow them to maintain a good record while also preparing themselves for the rigors of Big 12 basketball at the turn of the new year.