Utes and Hawkeyes meet in Sioux Falls, SD

Mason Madsen’s college basketball career has taken him to many different places.

The Runnin’ Ute guard played two years in Cincinnati and two years at Boston College before joining his brother Gabe in Salt Lake City.

One thing he hasn’t seen yet is an NCAA Tournament appearance.

“This is my last year,” he said this week. “I would deal with it, but I think it would be a shame if I never make the tournament. I will do everything to win.”

The Utah senior knows this weekend begins for the Utes, who face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Iowa is currently ranked 52nd in the NCAA NET rankings, just outside of top-50 status, which would count as the Utes’ Quad 1 win at a neutral site. But the Hawkeyes are coming into form and could move up as the season progresses, making Saturday’s game an important game for Craig Smith’s squad.

“We told our guys this is getting serious,” the Utah head coach said.

A Big 12 schedule will provide the Utes with plenty of challenges, but also the chance for more resume-building wins. Nine of the conference programs are currently ranked among the top 50 NET teams, with Utah (59) and BYU (53) close behind.

“Obviously there’s a real sense of urgency,” Smith said. “There’s plenty of time to make up ground, but it’s a big game.”

Still, Utah can’t pass up Saturday’s chance.

“You can say these things don’t matter, but obviously it does,” Madsen said of the potential for a Quad 1 win. “If we’re aiming for the tournament, I wouldn’t say winning is a must, but it’s right up there. It’s close.”

The Utes and Hawkeyes met in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament last March, a 91-82 win for Utah.

“They are a little different. We’re definitely different,” Smith said this week.

The Utes will have to slow down the 12th-ranked Hawkeyes’ offense. Smith called Iowa forward Payton Sandfort “an elite shooter” who is “coming into shape” after some injury issues.

Saturday’s game begins at 4:00 p.m. MT.

The game will be played at the 3,200-seat Sanford Pentagon, home of the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.

“It’s going to be a difficult environment in a great venue,” Smith said. “I expect there will be a lot more Iowa fans there than Utah fans. They say it’s neutral, but I don’t think it’ll feel that way.”