Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) dunks the ball during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
After a sixth-place regular season finish and a second-round exit at the Pac-12 postseason tournament, this year still has a chance to be a special season for the “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” University of Utah men’s basketball team.
The Utes’ season continued Sunday night in the National Invitation Tournament as Gabe Madsen poured in 31 points, including seven three-pointers, in a 91-82 win over Iowa in front of 3,800 fans at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
With the win, Utah improved to 21-14 overall and advanced to the third round of the NIT.
Coach Craig Smith improved his record to .500 (49-49) in his third year and has a chance to improve it further in another home game Wednesday against Virginia Commonwealth.
A victory Wednesday would send Utah to the NIT Final Four at the famed Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“We’ve been going (playing together) since June and we’re right in this thing,” said Madsen, who made 7-of-15 treys. “We have a good group and now we get another game at the Huntsman. When the season ended, it’s not what our goal was. Once everybody got their head wrapped in, ‘We’re going to the NIT,’ it’s a pretty good tournament and there are some good teams out there. So, we’re settled in and want to go win this thing.”
Utah Utes guard Deivon Smith (5) drives the ball down the court while Iowa Hawkeyes guard Brock Harding (2) guards him during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) dunks the ball during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith yells to the referees during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes fans react to a call by referees during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) jumps for the rebound during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Deivon Smith (5) jumps to block Iowa Hawkeyes guard Brock Harding (2) during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes head coach Craig Smith reacts to a call by the referee during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Cole Bajema (2) guards Iowa Hawkeyes guard Brock Harding (2) during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Cole Bajema (2) posts up against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Josh Dix (4) during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes fans attempt to distract the Iowa Hawkeyes while they make a foul shot during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Deivon Smith (5) throws his third round of foul shots during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Deivon Smith (5) shoots the ball while Iowa Hawkeyes forward Payton Sandfort (20) blocks him during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
The Utah Utes cheer for their teammates during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Cole Bajema (2) drives to the basket past Iowa Hawkeyes guard Brock Harding (2) during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) dunks the ball after an assist from Utah Utes guard Cole Bajema (2) while guarded by Iowa Hawkeyes forward Payton Sandfort (20) and Iowa Hawkeyes guard Brock Harding (2) during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) shoots a 3-pointer during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) dunks the ball during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Deivon Smith (5) reacts to a foul call after stealing the ball from Iowa Hawkeyes during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) looks to pass the ball while Iowa Hawkeyes forward Ben Krikke (23) posts up against him and Utah Utes center Lawson Lovering (34) is tripped during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Cole Bajema (2) shoots the ball past Iowa Hawkeyes forward Pryce Sandfort (24) during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Deivon Smith (5) dribbles the ball while Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tony Perkins (11) posts up against him during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes center Keba Keita (13) shoots the ball past Iowa Hawkeyes forward Ladji Dembele (13) during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Deivon Smith (5) shoots the ball past Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tony Perkins (11) during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Hunter Erickson (0) dribbles the ball while Iowa Hawkeyes forward Patrick McCaffery (22) guards him during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Utah Utes guard Cole Bajema (2) looks to pass the ball during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
With Madsen on fire, the Utes built an 18-point lead and went into halftime ahead 48-36. Iowa made several second-half rallies but never got within eight points.
“We are playing a lot better … with a lot more rhythm,” said Smith. “It was a good win for us. We did a lot of things right.”
Certainly, Utah is a different team at home, where they are 16-2 this season, compared to 2-9 on opponent’s courts and 3-3 on neutral sites.
Madsen showed his preference, making 7-of-15 three-pointers. Most of them came on simple catch-and-shoot opportunities that he lofted so quickly that Iowa couldn’t defend.
Guard Deivon Smith also had a nice game, with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Branden Carlson moved into fifth place in Utah’s all-time scoring list with a 12-point night and fellow 7-footer Lawson Lovering was a force with six points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
Each player had their favorite moments, but the most-noticeable factor explaining the win was that Utah was the aggressor and didn’t make many silly mistakes.
Utah, which is the Pac-12′s worst free-throw shooting team, was even 7-7 from the line in the first half. Most of those shots came from Madsen, who made two straight “Hail Mary” treys while barely looking at the basket. On his next two attempts, he was fouled and crumpled to the ground as the crowd cheered. He got up and was awarded three free throws — and made all six.
“He’s a gym rat and he’s been working hard all season,” joked Smith. “I’ll have to tell him to take tomorrow off. Otherwise, he’ll be in here practicing in the morning.”
Madsen said the key was getting passes near his “breadbasket.” In fact, several of Smith’s assists came on his three-pointers.
“We’re playing hard and coming together,” Madsen said. “We know if we lose, our season is over. Our guys are super focused and enjoying the extra time we have.”
The Utes know little about their next opponent, VCU, but coach Smith said with three days to prepare, it’s much like how they dealt with the Pac-12 regular season and feels more familiar.
Iowa, meanwhile, saw its season end with a 19-15 record.
The Hawkeyes were led by Patrick McCaffery’s 19 points, while Josh Dix had 14. Ben Krikke, Brock Harding and Owen Freeman had 12.
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