Who | Utah Tech (5-4, 2-0 WAC) at CSUN (6-3, 0-0 Big West)
When | Monday, Dec. 11 – 8 p.m. MT
Where | Premier America Credit Union – Northridge, Calif.
Broadcast | ESPN+ / 99.5 The Fan Sports Network
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UniteTheFamily / #IntoTheStorm
 
Scouting the Matadors
CSUN currently boasts a 6-3 record on the season, winning three of four contests at home and coming off a 92-54 victory over Bethesda, who compete as part of the National Christian College Association. Led by De'Sean Allen-Eikens' 20.8 points per game, the Matadors are currently out-scoring opponents by 11.7 points per game while holding a plus-15.7 advantage on the glass.
 
This matchup between UT and CSUN has happened twice, with each team claiming a victory; last season, the Trailblazers claimed a 69-63 victory at Burns Arena. Tanner Christensen finished with nine points and eight rebounds while Noa Gonsalves finished with five boards in the victory.
 
Double-Double
Tanner Christensen recorded his second double-double of the 2023-24 season against Idaho on Saturday, pairing 18 points with 10 rebounds while also contributing two assists and shooting 7-10 from the field. The 6-10 post from Spokane, Wash., has seen his usage rate increase when compared to last season and he has delivered, improving his scoring and rebounding numbers to an average of 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 59% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.
 
Explosive Offense
Aric Demings had an offensive explosion early in the second half of Saturday's game against Idaho, scoring 11 points during a 19-4 run that gave the Trailblazers a sizable lead. The Desoto, Texas, native finished the game with 16 points and four assists, shooting 7-8 from the field and 2-3 from range, increasing his season shooting percentages to 41.1% from the field and 36% from deep in the process.
 
In his first season of collegiate hoops, Demings has scored in double figures four times.
 
Consistency
After scoring a career-high 21 points in that 72-69 victory over California Baptist on Wednesday, Beon Riley finished with 10 points and five rebounds against Idaho on Saturday. With the double-digit scoring output, Riley has now scored in double-figures in each of his last six games, seven out of the team's nine games this season, and has posted fantastic shooting percentages in the process; Riley enters Monday's game shooting 50.7% from the floor, 64.3% from deep and 85% at the free throw line.
 
Block Party
Coming off his best game as a Trailblazer against CBU on Wednesday, Hamed Olayinka provided the Trailblazers some valuable minutes off the bench against Idaho, playing 16. Standing at 6-9 with a plus wingspan, Olayinka's shot blocking has been a key part of the Trailblazer defense this season; he blocked a season-high four shots against the Lancers and added another swat against Idaho, giving him seven games this season with at least one block at a team-leading average of 1.3 per game.
 
Squad Up
Despite adding three new faces to the group of starters, Head Coach Jon Judkins has sent out the same starting five in each of the team's nine games this season. Noa Gonsalves' 36.2 minutes per contest leads the team and is among the WAC's top marks, while each of the other four starters is averaging at least 29 minutes per game: Jaylen Searles (33.1), Beon Riley (31.4), Tanner Christensen (30.4) and Aric Demings (29.1)
 
Efficiency
Despite Saturday's loss, Utah Tech still shot an efficient 22-47 (46.8%) from the field, something that has been a trend in recent games. Across the last four matchups, the team has posted a shooting percentage no lower than 44%, shooting 47.1% from the field against Lindenwood (W, 73-66), 44.4% versus Utah Valley (W, 65-53), a season-best 58.8% in a win over California Baptist (W, 72-69), and 46.8% against Idaho.
 
Limiting Freebies
Utah Tech was able to limit the fouls it committed against the Vandals, setting a season-low mark with just 14 in Saturday's game. It was just the third time this season that UT has committed 20 or fewer fouls, joining the Lindenwood (19) and Lake Erie (19) matchups.
 
Move the Ball
The Trailblazer offense found opportunities against the Vandals thanks to a great deal of ball movement, as Utah Tech finished with a season-high 17 assists. The team has posted 14 or more assists in four games, and with 17 assists on 22 made field goals, 77% of the made buckets were assisted on.
 
Aric Demings (four) and Unisa Turay (four) led the way while Beon Riley (three), Tanner Christensen (two) and Jaylen Searles (two) all finished with two or more helpers.
 
What's Next
With the non-conference schedule winding down, Utah Tech will play two of its next three games at home. It starts with a matchup against North Dakota (Saturday, 7 p.m.) at Burns Arena before continuing on the road at PAC-12 opponent Colorado; after a quick break for the holidays, the final non-conference matchup is scheduled for Dec. 30 at 7 p.m., when Florida International makes the trip to St. George as part of the 2023-24 WAC/CUSA scheduling initiative.