Series Snapshot

The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the Cougars and the Utes — and the first time USF has squared off with a Division I opponent since the 2017-18 season, when the Cougars traveled to take on Northern Iowa.

Scouting the Utes

Utah enters Monday's exhibition with plenty of confidence after cruising to a 90–56 exhibition win over Western Colorado in its preseason opener on October 27. The Utes flashed their trademark balance and offensive depth with five players scoring in double figures, led by junior forward Reese Ross with 13 points and a perfect 6-for-6 effort at the free throw line. LA Sneed added 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while Maty Wilke, Evelina Otto, and Grace Foster each chipped in 10 to highlight the Utes' versatility across positions.

Last season, Utah finished 22-9 overall and 13-5 in conference play, ranking among the nation's most efficient offensive teams. The Utes averaged 76.4 points per game while shooting 46.4% from the field and 36.8% from three, a combination that made them one of the top scoring teams in the Pac-12. Their ball movement was equally sharp, posting 18.4 assists per contest, and they owned a +5.2 rebounding margin over opponents. Defensively, Utah limited opponents to just 63.5 points per game and forced 17 turnovers on average, thriving on transition opportunities and half-court spacing.

Players to Watch:

• #23 Maty Wilke, a 5-10 senior guard, brings elite efficiency to Utah's perimeter attack. She appeared in 30 games last year, averaging 9.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while nearly achieving the rare 50/40/90 shooting split (.467/.429/.950).
• #20 Reese Ross, a 6-1 junior forward from Rapid City, South Dakota, averaged 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds last season while shooting 50.3% from the field. Her physical presence and consistency inside give Utah a strong frontcourt anchor.
• #0 Lany White, a 6-0 senior transfer from Virginia Tech, adds experience and shooting to the lineup after starting 31 games for the Hokies. She averaged 9.6 points per game and connected on 50% of her three-point attempts last season.

Cougar Spotlight

The Cougars open their 2025–26 campaign with a trip to Salt Lake City, using this high-level exhibition to gauge where they stand after productive closed scrimmages against North Dakota State and South Dakota earlier this fall.

USF returns a proven core that helped power the program to a 17–14 record and a 12–10 mark in NSIC play last season. The Cougars showcased a dynamic offensive identity, averaging 73.3 points per game while shooting 43.3% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc—the best mark in the country. Defensively, USF held opponents to 67.5 points per game and owned a slight edge on the glass (36.5 to 34.1 rebounds per game).

Leading the charge again is #30 Kami Wadsworth, last year's NSIC First Team honoree who averaged 18.9 points per game and tied the USF single-season scoring record with 585 points. Alongside her is #3 Ayla Brown, the floor general who posted 4.7 assists per game and consistently created rhythm for the offense. #15 Alexis Rose, the reigning NSIC Freshman of the Year, rounds out the trio after contributing 10.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in her debut season.

Together, that group anchors a team built on balance and efficiency. The Cougars averaged 14.7 assists per contest, showing a commitment to ball movement and inside-out execution, while maintaining a 76.7% mark from the free-throw line. Against a Utah team that thrives on speed and spacing, Monday's matchup will test USF's defensive rotations and transition readiness—key early-season indicators for a team with postseason aspirations.

Numbers Game

USF led the NCAA Division II ranks in three-point percentage (38.2%) last season while averaging 73.3 points per game, one of the top marks in the NSIC.

The Cougars' ability to stay hot from deep — led by Wadsworth's scoring prowess — will be vital against a Utah team that averaged nearly 10 made threes per game last year.

USF will also look to replace graduated rebounder Aby Phipps (7.2 RPG) against a Utah squad featuring nine players 6'0 or taller. Winning the rebounding battle and controlling defensive possessions will be key to keeping the contest within reach.

Coach's Corner

"What a great opportunity to play a Big 12 opponent. This game happened because of one of my best friends being an assistant coach at Utah. We will be challenged with their length and athleticism. I hope playing them gives our kids an experience that most kids dream of. We will go and compete with our best effort and hope we can take positives to improve on negatives, being our last exhibition before it all starts officially in a few weeks."
— Head Coach Travis Traphagen

Inside the Gym

Tipoff: Nov. 3 | 12:00 p.m. CST (11:00 a.m. MT)
Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center – Salt Lake City, Utah
Broadcast: Watch on ESPN+
Live Stats: Follow Here
Radio: Listen Live

The Utes have posted an impressive 575-136 (.809) all-time record at the Huntsman Center, including 10 undefeated home seasons and a 28-game home win streak from 1995 to 1997.

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