ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech and Southern Utah universities could be on a collision course for the third time this season.
Southern Utah’s Samantha Johnston dribbles the basketball upcourt during the Thunderbirds’ 87-77 loss to the Utah Tech Trailblazers in Cedar City, Utah, Feb. 8, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah University Athletics, St. George News
The Trailblazers (18-13 overall, 12-8 in the Western Athletic Conference) are seeded No. 4 going into the women’s Hercules Tires WAC basketball tournament, and the Thunderbirds (8-2, 6-14) are seeded No. 8.
A Southern Utah win over No. 5 UT-Arlington (15-15, 11-9) on Wednesday would mean a showdown with Utah Tech in the quarterfinal round Thursday.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to compete in the WAC tourney” SUU coach Tracy Mason said in a news release. “This is a new season, and it’s all about heart, desire and who wants to keep playing.”
The annual post-season tournament is being staged at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, again this year, with an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament on the line. SUU is the defending tournament champion.
The Trailblazers, however, won both contests during the regular season, besting their in-state rivals 78-71 at home on Jan. 18 and 87-77 in Cedar City on Feb. 8.
Absent from the WAC men’s tournament this year are both Utah Tech (11-12, 7-13) and Southern Utah (10-21, 5-15), who finished in ninth and 10th place, respectively, in the 11-team conference. Grand Canyon is the No. 1 seed in the tournament (27-4, 17-3), which includes only the top eight in the conference for both the men and the women.
Women’s WAC tournament schedule (all times PT):
Wednesday, March 13 – First Round
No. 8 Southern Utah vs. No. 5 UT Arlington – noon
No. 7 Tarleton State vs. No. 6 Abilene Christian – 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 14 – Quarterfinals
Game 1 winner vs. No. 4 Utah Tech – noon | Live Stats
Game 2 winner vs. No. 3 Stephen F. Austin – 2:30 p.m.
Friday, March 15 – Semifinals
Game 3 winner vs. No. 1 California Baptist – noon
Game 4 winner vs. No. 2 Grand Canyon – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 – Championship
Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner – 10:30 a.m. PT | ESPNU
Men’s WAC tournament schedule
Wednesday, March 13 – First Round
No. 8 California Baptist vs. No. 5 Utah Valley – 6 p.m.
No. 7 Abilene Christian vs. No. 6 Stephen F. Austin – 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 14 – Quarterfinals
Game 1 winner vs. No. 4 Seattle U – 6 p.m.
Game 2 winner vs. No. 3 UT Arlington – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 15 – Semifinals
Game 3 winner vs. No. 1 Grand Canyon – 6 p.m.
Game 4 winner vs. No. 2 Tarleton State – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 – Championship
Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner – 8:30 p.m. | ESPN2
All preliminary round games of the WAC men’s and women’s tournament will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Click here for more information about the tournaments.
Graphic shows the bracket for the women’s Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament, which will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 13-16, 2024 | Image courtesy of Western Athletic Conference, St. George News | Click to enlarge
Graphic shows the bracket for the men’s Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament, which will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 13-16, 2024 | Image courtesy of Western Athletic Conference, St. George News | Click to enlarge
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