Utah Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Utes

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Utah Utes cheerleaders perform during the team's quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the California Golden Bears at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. California won 78-75. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 2: Brandon Taylor /

Key Non-conference games

Nov. 16 – Missouri

Nov. 20-22 – MGM Resort Main Event (Ole Miss, then either UNLV or Rice)

Dec. 5 – at Butler

Dec. 9 – Utah State (Beehive Classic)

Dec. 16 – at BYU

While the teams may not scream marquee, there are a few individuals who Utah will have to deal with this season. Originally, Missouri was supposed to be a borderline buy game with their recent struggles. Now, with potential No. 1 pick Michael Porter Jr. coming into town, that game all of a sudden just became a problem for the Utes.

But let’s face it. There’s only one game that really matters…BYU. After a one-year hiatus occurring after Nick Emery threw a punch at former Ute Brandon Taylor, the series resumes on December 16.

Plenty of good players remain even without Kuzma or BYU’s Eric Mika. Collette will have to deal with rising star Yoeli Childs down low, and assuming Emery isn’t suspended from the ongoing investigation into improper benefits, he’ll be present at the game as well. This will be one of the more emotional games all year.

Key Conference games

Dec. 29 – at Oregon

Jan. 4 – Arizona

Jan. 11 – at UCLA

Jan. 14 – at USC

Jan. 27 – at Arizona

Feb. 24 – UCLA

Feb. 27 – USC

The beginning stretch of conference play will be rough for Utah and could put them behind the eight ball. One benefit Utah has in their favor is the how the schedule lays out. Teams will have to travel to Utah and Colorado in a span of a few days, and the elevations of both places can cause problems for teams on road trips.

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