Utah became the first team to play in both the NIT and NCAA tournament in the same season. Utah was given a second chance to play in the NCAA Tournament after a March 1944 automobile accident killed a coaching aide and seriously injured two players on the Arkansas team.
Utah achieved a milestone by participating in both the NIT and NCAA tournament simultaneously. The team received a reprieve to compete in the NCAA Tournament after a March 1944 car accident that claimed the life of a coach's assistant and severely injured two Arkansas players.