Utah and UC Irvine Set for NIT Showdown

The Runnin' Utes host the Anteaters in a first-round National Invitation Tournament clash, marking both teams' return to postseason play.

Utah Utes, having finished the season with a 19-14 record, will host UC Irvine Anteaters, who ended their season at 24-9, in the NIT first round.
Both teams had NCAA Tournament aspirations dashed, with Utah falling short in the Pac-12 Tournament and UC Irvine losing in the Big West Conference championship.
This marks Utah's 15th appearance and UC Irvine's eighth in the NIT, highlighting both programs' postseason experience.
The game is set for Tuesday night at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, with expectations of a competitive matchup.
The winner of the Utah-UC Irvine game will advance to face either Iowa State or Kansas State in the second round of the tournament.