Utah Hosts UCLA Thursday in Blackout and Pac-12 Home Opener

The Utes were a couple inches away from beating the conferences two best teams on the road, losing to (13-2) Arizona State in overtime and No. 3 (14-0) Arizona. They had shots in the final seconds to win each game that didn't fall, but the Utes sent a strong message to the Pac-12 that they can beat anyone.

Now the Utes face another tough challenge, but they do it in front of a packed Huntsman Center where they are (7-2. The Runnin' Utes open with star studded UCLA and expect a raucous home crowd in their blackout Thursday, January 10th.

UCLA is off to a (12-3) start, but this will be their first true road game of the season and it will be a tough environment.  The Bruins struggled on the road last season, going (4-7) but they are much improved this season with some of the nations top recruits and future NBA lottery picks.

Shabazz Muhammad leads UCLA with 19.6 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game.  He was rated the  No. 1 recruit in the country coming out of high school and is projected by many to be a Top 5 pick in next years NBA Draft.  Another freshman, Jordan Adams, has also made a strong impact with 16.6 points per game. 

For the Utes, they are also led by a talented freshman in Jordan Loveridge. Loveridge averages 13 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game so far this season.  He is coming off a 17 point performance in Utah's close loss at No. 3 Arizona.  

The MUSS is hosting a pregame event at the Alumni House at 6 p.m.  Come get pumped for the game with free food and giveaways before the 7:30 tipoff against the Bruins.  All students get in free with their student ID and can bring up to four non-student guest for free.  Wear BLACK, be loud and help the Runnin' Utes pull off the upset. 

Who will win?
	Utah
	UCLA
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