Runnin' Utes Open Regular Season With 104-47 Rout Over Willamette

Jordan Loveridge warms up before the game.

Tonight Utah did something that hasn't been done since 1995.

The last time a Utah Basketball team scored 100 points, Rick Majerus was coaching with a roster of NBA talent, including Andre Miller, Keith Van Horn and Michael Doleac. That team would eventually make it to the Sweet 16; two years before their run to the NCAA National Championship Game.

Utah defeated Willamette in their regular season opener 104-47, a 57 point victory in front of over 6,000 fans at the Huntsman Center.  It was the program's largest margin of victory in 12 years and most points scored in 17 years.

Yes, it was Willamette but it seems quality basketball may be coming back to the Huntsman Center. With a new roster led early by promising freshman in Jordan Loveridge and Justin Seymour and great size in the frontcourt, the Utes are much improved from last season.  Loveridge led the team with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in just 27 minutes of play.  Seymour added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Four other players were in double figures and every player on the roster scored.  Utes jumped out to an early lead and never eased up.  They took a 30 point lead into halftime with a 52-22 lead and stretched the lead to 57 points before the game was over with the entire roster seeing time on the court.

"It's encouraging," Larry Krystkowiak said after the win.  "We got some guys that scored double- digits, and got guys some confidence. When you score 100 points it kind of looks like an NBA box score."

All University of Utah students get in free to Utah Basketball games with their U-Card and can bring up to four non-student guests to each game.  Students can pick up a basketball MUSS t-shirt for the season for free before each of the games.

Up next the Utes play Sacramento State at the Huntsman Center on Friday at 7 p.m.

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