Utah Utes women's basketball: Pink game today for Utes

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah women's basketball team is hosting a special game at the Huntsman Center tonight at 6.

The Utes (10-9, 3-2 MWC) will face the TCU Horned Frogs (13-6, 5-0), the last undefeated team in Mountain West Conference play. But what makes the game special is not the opponent. It's what the teams will be representing.

"It's our week to bring awareness to cancer, specifically breast cancer, in women's basketball," interim coach Anthony Levrets said of the Utes hosting a Power of Pink contest. "It's bringing more visibility to it so ultimately this disease is gone."

In conjunction with the game, Levrets and the team will hold the inaugural Power of Pink Awareness Walk in support of cancer research and survivors. The walk will begin at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at 4 p.m. and end at the Huntsman Center with a pregame reception with food and coaches.

"One of the things we're doing this year is a walk to raise awareness and getting as many people as we can to meet together," Levrets said, also noting that there is no cost to attend the walk or the reception.

Utah forward Diana Rolniak said the "pink game" is her favorite of the season, and Levrets added that this game is particularly special to him this season.

"One of my best friends is fighting cancer right now," he said. "While it's not breast cancer, he has a cancer that is treatable but not curable. It's an issue that is certainly close to home for me right now.

"A couple years ago it was an issue, now it has really affected me and my thought processes. Hopefully, we can do our small part to help raise awareness."

Awareness Walk participants will receive a free Power of Pink T-shirt, while all fans wearing pink will receive free admission to the game. Those interested in the walk are asked to contact Blanca Raphael at 801-581-7169 or blanca.raphael@hci.utah.edu.

e-mail: sthomas@desnews.com