How it ended
Lost it to Kentucky, 72–59, on March 21, 1997.
Defended against
New MexicoTCUNavyCharlotteStanford
The season
- 1996–97: Utah finished 25–3–0, 4th of 306 by record; Arizona won the national title; 7 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 14 times that season.
Every game of the reign
margins from Utah’s side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,421 | Mar 6, 1997 | Utah beat SMU 59–58 Game → | +1 | Title change |
| 1,422 | Mar 7, 1997 | Utah beat New Mexico 72–70 | +2 | Defense |
| 1,423 | Mar 8, 1997 | Utah beat TCU 89–68 | +21 | Defense |
| 1,424 | Mar 13, 1997 | Utah beat Navy 75–61 Postseason | +14 | Defense |
| 1,425 | Mar 15, 1997 | Utah beat Charlotte 77–58 Postseason | +19 | Defense |
| 1,426 | Mar 19, 1997 | Utah beat Stanford 82–77 Postseason | +5 | Defense |
| 1,427 | Mar 21, 1997 | Kentucky beat Utah 72–59 Postseason | −13 | Title change |