by Joe Oliver
The University of Utah Men’s Basketball team has advanced to the NIT (National Invitational Tournament) Final Four. They defeated UC Irvine last week, 84-75 in the first round at the Huntsman Center. In round 2, the Utes pushed by Patrick McCaffrey, Payton Sandfort and the rest of Iowa’s crew, 91 – 82. They then handed VCU a 20 point loss led by a triple double (18 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds) from guard Deivon Smith. That game was this season’s final one in the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
The #2 seed (Utah) will face the #1 seed Indiana State Sycamores in Indianapolis. The Utes are coming off a series of impressive wins after a disappointing season that landed them in sixth place in the Pac-12 with no berth in the NCAA Tournament. However, given their two seed ranking in the NIT, they have fought for redemption and a national title. The semifinals are set to begin Tuesday, April 2nd.
Photo Gallery courtesy Joe Oliver
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