The Official 2014-2015 Ute Basketball Thread

[UtahsMrSports]

Practice starts today. Tip-off of the first official game is 6 weeks from tonight. "Night with the Runnin' Utes" is two and a half weeks away.

With football currently in a bit of uncertainty, I think our fan base is ready for the basketball program to explode. And I think the team is too. This is going to be a fun year. The schedule is set up and our roster is deep and talented. I think if we stay healthy, the drought of NCAA tournament appearances ends.

[SoCalPat]

Practice starts today. Tip-off of the first official game is 6 weeks from tonight. "Night with the Runnin' Utes" is two and a half weeks away.

With football currently in a bit of uncertainty, I think our fan base is ready for the basketball program to explode. And I think the team is too. This is going to be a fun year. The schedule is set up and our roster is deep and talented. I think if we stay healthy, the drought of NCAA tournament appearances ends.

If we're good enough, we should shave Delon's minutes to 32 per game. Reyes is close to averaging a double-double and Chapman and Kuzma emerge as reliable threats (kinda like JJ O'Brien a few years back). I fully expect a top 3 regular season finish and respectable single-digit seed in the Dance.

[Applejack]

If we're good enough, we should shave Delon's minutes to 32 per game. Reyes is close to averaging a double-double and Chapman and Kuzma emerge as reliable threats (kinda like JJ O'Brien a few years back). I fully expect a top 3 regular season finish and respectable single-digit seed in the Dance.

SoCal, you are the only person I know who is really high on Reyes (most people don't mention him). What's the skinny on him? Is he going to be more than just muscle off the bench?

[justaute]

Obviously, I'm not SCP. As an ex-coach (of another sport), I tend to look at the little things. Based on a couple of videos of Reyes, he seems to have good bounce and timing, an understanding of blocking-out, and good shooting touch.


SoCal, you are the only person I know who is really high on Reyes (most people don't mention him). What's the skinny on him? Is he going to be more than just muscle off the bench?

[SoCalPat]

SoCal, you are the only person I know who is really high on Reyes (most people don't mention him). What's the skinny on him? Is he going to be more than just muscle off the bench?

He will be a huge improvement over Jordan on the glass. We wouldn't have recruited him if he wasn't.

[UtahsMrSports]

He will be a huge improvement over Jordan on the glass. We wouldn't have recruited him if he wasn't.

I think we will see a starting five of delon, brandon, loveridge, reyes, and bach. But Larry told the trib that he may start 2-3 of the freshman. Not sure where but thats what he said.

[UTEopia]

I think we will see a starting five of delon, brandon, loveridge, reyes, and bach. But Larry told the trib that he may start 2-3 of the freshman. Not sure where but thats what he said.

If Isaiah Wright can play point, I could see some logic in bringing some fire power in Taylor off the bench.

[LA Ute]

If Isaiah Wright can play point, I could see some logic in bringing some fire power in Taylor off the bench.

Larry is remarkably liberal in his praise of Isaiah Wright, so that might happen. Kuzma might be starting too.

[Ute Bear]

Reyes is a beast under the basket. Here is a video of a JC game he played. Watch the first ten minutes and you will see why he was the league MVP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C7_w7nOo6o

I would not be suprised to see him start as PF.

[UtahsMrSports]

Media Day interviews:

Larry Krystkowiak:
http://espn.kall700sports.com/larry-krystkowiak-utah-mbb-media-day-10-6-14/

Kyle Kuzma:
http://espn.kall700sports.com/kyle-kuzma-utah-mbb-media-day-10-6-14/

Jordan Loveridge:
http://espn.kall700sports.com/jordan-loveridge-utah-mbb-media-day-10-6-14/

Delon Wright:
http://espn.kall700sports.com/delon-wright-utah-mbb-media-day-10-6-14/

[311ute]

Some things that stood out to me in these interviews:


· We’ll be running a different style of offense. More ball movement, higher tempo, more player movement.

· Larry expects a 10 man rotation. Says we have lots of depth which will allow this. Won’t need Delon and Loveridge to play so many minutes.

· Larry once again mentions I. Wright first when asked about the new guys. Could he potentially start alongside Delon while we bring Brandon off the bench??

· Kuzma, when asked who the most impressive newcomer has been, doesn’t hesitate in saying Poeltl. Multiple players have now been singing his praises. Could he possibly start at the 5???

· Larry said Kuzma’s been playing the 3. Also says he has been tremendous on the glass (Kyle also said in his interview that rebounding is one of his strengths).

· Loveridge says he’s been playing (and applied he will be playing) almost exclusively the 3. However, Larry did mention a scenario where we could go small, putting Loveridge at the 4 and Reyes at the 5.

· Our 4 and 5 positions are interchangeable, as are positions 1-3. So expect a 4-5 rotation of Bach, Reyes, Poeltl, Olsen. Maybe a sprinkling of Loveridge/Chapman/Kuzma.

· Larry mentions we will most likely use a red shirt this year. From all indications Brekkott will be the guy, IMO.

· Poeltl has added 14 pounds of (good) weight since he’s been here. Wow.

· Larry once again says all 5 new comers are ahead of where they thought they would be. I can’t wait to see all 5 of these guys.



It’s going to be a fun year of Utah basketball. Could be a hell of a season.

[UtahsMrSports]

edited

[UtahsMrSports]

Some things that stood out to me in these interviews:


· We’ll be running a different style of offense. More ball movement, higher tempo, more player movement.

· Larry expects a 10 man rotation. Says we have lots of depth which will allow this. Won’t need Delon and Loveridge to play so many minutes.

· Larry once again mentions I. Wright first when asked about the new guys. Could he potentially start alongside Delon while we bring Brandon off the bench??

· Kuzma, when asked who the most impressive newcomer has been, doesn’t hesitate in saying Poeltl. Multiple players have now been singing his praises. Could he possibly start at the 5???

· Larry said Kuzma’s been playing the 3. Also says he has been tremendous on the glass (Kyle also said in his interview that rebounding is one of his strengths).

· Loveridge says he’s been playing (and applied he will be playing) almost exclusively the 3. However, Larry did mention a scenario where we could go small, putting Loveridge at the 4 and Reyes at the 5.

· Our 4 and 5 positions are interchangeable, as are positions 1-3. So expect a 4-5 rotation of Bach, Reyes, Poeltl, Olsen. Maybe a sprinkling of Loveridge/Chapman/Kuzma.

· Larry mentions we will most likely use a red shirt this year. From all indications Brekkott will be the guy, IMO.

· Poeltl has added 14 pounds of (good) weight since he’s been here. Wow.

· Larry once again says all 5 new comers are ahead of where they thought they would be. I can’t wait to see all 5 of these guys.



It’s going to be a fun year of Utah basketball. Could be a hell of a season.

-I wonder if he have enough shooting to space the floor if we have all-wright backcourt. I dont know if shooting is one of I Wright's strengths. I think the duo could work in stretches certainly, but im unsure if it can go long minutes.

-With Kuzma and Loveridge at the 3, gotta wonder where the minutes for Dakari Tucker come from. Or Kenny Ogbe for that matter.

-Sure sounds like Delon has become more of a leader and closer so far. Id love to see that on the court.

-Funny that you and I came to the conclusion that Brekkott is the most likely to RS. What led you to that? I just think it makes sense from a class-year standpoint. Plus it lets him fill out more.

[311ute]

Jeff Goodman and ESPN have their Pac-12 preview up today (insider).

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11654250/2014-15-pac-12-coaches-poll-preview-college-basketball

This is coming from the coaches... here's how the coaches rank the conference:

1. Arizona Wildcats (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/12/arizona-wildcats) - 384 (32)
2. Utah Utes (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/254/utah-utes) - 316
T-3. UCLA Bruins (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/26/ucla-bruins) - 312
T-3. Colorado Buffaloes (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/38/colorado-buffaloes) - 312
5. Stanford Cardinal (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/24/stanford-cardinal) - 250
6. Washington Huskies (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/264/washington-huskies) - 200
7. Oregon Ducks (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2483/oregon-ducks) - 196
8. California Golden Bears (http://search.espn.go.com/california-golden-bears-basketball/)- 182
9. Arizona State Sun Devils (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/9/arizona-state-sun-devils) - 146
10. USC Trojans (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/30/usc-trojans) - 120
11. Washington State Cougars (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/265/washington-state-cougars) - 62
12. Oregon State Beavers (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/204/oregon-state-beavers) - 36


And here's what some coaches had to say on various topics:

On the league: "It's Arizona and everyone else -- and it's not easy to try and figure out who will be at the top of the 'everyone else.' I'd give the nod to Utah with Delon Wright (http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/66236/delon-wright). Larry Krystkowiak has done a tremendous job rebuilding the program."
On Arizona: "They are loaded. Again. There aren't many programs in the country that can lose a lottery pick (Aaron Gordon (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3064290/aaron-gordon)) and perhaps their best player (Nick Johnson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2580589/nick-johnson)) and potentially be better. Brandon Ashley (http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61548/brandon-ashley) is back and they added a stud in Stanley Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3134881/stanley-johnson). I'd be shocked if they don't cruise to the league title."
On the mystery team: "UCLA. No one really knows what to expect out of the Bruins this season. They lost so much from a year ago with Kyle Anderson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2993874/kyle-anderson), Jordan Adams (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2993873/jordan-adams) and Zach LaVine (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3064440/zach-lavine)all leaving early. I just don't buy the backcourt as high-level enough, and the big men are all young. But it's still UCLA."
Who will win player of the year: "I'm going with Utah's Delon Wright. I think he'll carry the Utes and do so much for that team. He can score, pass and defend. If he can ever get his outside shot fixed, he'll be unstoppable."
On the surprise team: "USC. I'm not sure they are ready to move into contention for one of the top four or five spots yet, but they add a talented transfer with Katin Reinhardt (http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61906/katin-reinhardt) and also bring in a couple of really good freshmen. They can certainly finish in the middle of the pack."
Feeling sorry for: "New Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle. He inherited virtually nothing from Craig Robinson. Tinkle has done well in recruiting this past summer, but it's going to be a very long year this season."
Which coach is on the hot seat?: "[Oregon's] Dana Altman. It's been a mess up there for the entire offseason. He lost three of his best players due to the rape allegations, and now he has two more kids get in trouble for shoplifting. He's a good ball coach, but I just don't know how he gets it done this year."

[311ute]

Additionally, Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton discuss the top returning NBA prospects in the conference.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2015/story/_/id/11655084/arizona-wildcats-rondae-hollis-jefferson-best-nba-prospects-pac-12-nba-draft

On Delon...

Delon Wright (http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2010&playerId=20133), G, Sr., Utah Utes (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/254/utah-utes)

Chad's Big Board ranking: 32
Kevin's Draft Board ranking: 6
Pelton: Wright, the younger brother of Portland forward Dorell Wright (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2423/dorell-wright), was a revelation in his first year in Salt Lake City as a junior college transfer. Wright's decision to return for his senior season is the biggest reason Utah is ranked in Insider's preseason top 25 (http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11605841/2014-15-college-basketball-preview-utah-utes). Wright set himself apart with versatility. A 6-foot-5 point guard, he led the Utes in scoring, assists, steals and blocks and was second in rebounding. He also made a ridiculous 63 percent of his 2-point attempts. As a result, Wright ranked fifth nationally in Win Shares, per Sports-Reference.com. Wright's age (he'll be 23 by the draft) limits his upside, but few players are more ready to contribute immediately.

Ford: I thought Wright was a really intriguing prospect and was a bit surprised he didn't try to make the leap to the NBA last year while scouts felt he still had some upside. His age becomes a significant obstacle now for him going as high as his talent suggests. I think there are also major concerns about his 3-point shooting (he shot just 22 percent from long distance) and his overall lack of strength (he's 6-5 and weighs just 178 pounds). But NBA guys love big, versatile point guards (and this draft doesn't have many of those), and they love players with basketball pedigrees, so I still think Wright, with a big season at Utah, has a chance to go somewhere in the teens. But I wouldn't be shocked if he slid into the early second round, either.
Scouts typically don't get too excited about college seniors, but I have another one who has been generating some buzz lately.

[UtahsMrSports]

Jeff Goodman and ESPN have their Pac-12 preview up today (insider).

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11654250/2014-15-pac-12-coaches-poll-preview-college-basketball

This is coming from the coaches... here's how the coaches rank the conference:

1. Arizona Wildcats (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/12/arizona-wildcats) - 384 (32)
2. Utah Utes (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/254/utah-utes) - 316
T-3. UCLA Bruins (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/26/ucla-bruins) - 312
T-3. Colorado Buffaloes (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/38/colorado-buffaloes) - 312
5. Stanford Cardinal (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/24/stanford-cardinal) - 250
6. Washington Huskies (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/264/washington-huskies) - 200
7. Oregon Ducks (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2483/oregon-ducks) - 196
8. California Golden Bears (http://search.espn.go.com/california-golden-bears-basketball/)- 182
9. Arizona State Sun Devils (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/9/arizona-state-sun-devils) - 146
10. USC Trojans (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/30/usc-trojans) - 120
11. Washington State Cougars (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/265/washington-state-cougars) - 62
12. Oregon State Beavers (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/204/oregon-state-beavers) - 36


And here's what some coaches had to say on various topics:

On the league: "It's Arizona and everyone else -- and it's not easy to try and figure out who will be at the top of the 'everyone else.' I'd give the nod to Utah with Delon Wright (http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/66236/delon-wright). Larry Krystkowiak has done a tremendous job rebuilding the program."
On Arizona: "They are loaded. Again. There aren't many programs in the country that can lose a lottery pick (Aaron Gordon (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3064290/aaron-gordon)) and perhaps their best player (Nick Johnson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2580589/nick-johnson)) and potentially be better. Brandon Ashley (http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61548/brandon-ashley) is back and they added a stud in Stanley Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3134881/stanley-johnson). I'd be shocked if they don't cruise to the league title."
On the mystery team: "UCLA. No one really knows what to expect out of the Bruins this season. They lost so much from a year ago with Kyle Anderson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2993874/kyle-anderson), Jordan Adams (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2993873/jordan-adams) and Zach LaVine (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3064440/zach-lavine)all leaving early. I just don't buy the backcourt as high-level enough, and the big men are all young. But it's still UCLA."
Who will win player of the year: "I'm going with Utah's Delon Wright. I think he'll carry the Utes and do so much for that team. He can score, pass and defend. If he can ever get his outside shot fixed, he'll be unstoppable."
On the surprise team: "USC. I'm not sure they are ready to move into contention for one of the top four or five spots yet, but they add a talented transfer with Katin Reinhardt (http://sports.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61906/katin-reinhardt) and also bring in a couple of really good freshmen. They can certainly finish in the middle of the pack."
Feeling sorry for: "New Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle. He inherited virtually nothing from Craig Robinson. Tinkle has done well in recruiting this past summer, but it's going to be a very long year this season."
Which coach is on the hot seat?: "[Oregon's] Dana Altman. It's been a mess up there for the entire offseason. He lost three of his best players due to the rape allegations, and now he has two more kids get in trouble for shoplifting. He's a good ball coach, but I just don't know how he gets it done this year."

I would love to beat Arizona this year. I dont care where, and I dont care how, but man that would be awesome.

[SoCalPat]

Jeff Goodman and ESPN have their Pac-12 preview up today (insider).

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11654250/2014-15-pac-12-coaches-poll-preview-college-basketball

This is coming from the coaches... here's how the coaches rank the conference:

1. Arizona Wildcats (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/12/arizona-wildcats) - 384 (32)
2. Utah Utes (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/254/utah-utes) - 316
T-3. UCLA Bruins (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/26/ucla-bruins) - 312
T-3. Colorado Buffaloes (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/38/colorado-buffaloes) - 312
5. Stanford Cardinal (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/24/stanford-cardinal) - 250
6. Washington Huskies (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/264/washington-huskies) - 200
7. Oregon Ducks (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2483/oregon-ducks) - 196
8. California Golden Bears (http://search.espn.go.com/california-golden-bears-basketball/)- 182
9. Arizona State Sun Devils (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/9/arizona-state-sun-devils) - 146
10. USC Trojans (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/30/usc-trojans) - 120
11. Washington State Cougars (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/265/washington-state-cougars) - 62
12. Oregon State Beavers (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/204/oregon-state-beavers) - 36

The strength of this league is clearly in the South. The top 4 teams are there, and your top two Sleeper teams are undoubtedly ASU and USC. ASU brings in four JUCOs who were on par with what Delon did at CCSF -- one of them from Indian Hills, who along with former Ute assistant Barrett Peery, came to ASU in a package deal.

[LA Ute]

I would love to beat Arizona this year. I dont care where, and I dont care how, but man that would be awesome.

I like our chances a lot.

[U-Ute]

I like our chances a lot.

We have played them as tough as anyone in the league. We seem to match up well with them.

[SigmaUte]

I like our chances against Arizona. Like U-Ute said, we have played them tough each time. Seems to be a good match-up for us, especially if this team is as good as everyone thinks...

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about basketball season. Football will always be my favorite sports, but so excited to see the runnin' Utes

[SoCalPat]

I like our chances against Arizona. Like U-Ute said, we have played them tough each time. Seems to be a good match-up for us, especially if this team is as good as everyone thinks...

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about basketball season. Football will always be my favorite sports, but so excited to see the runnin' Utes

We've got some short memories here if we're talking about playing Arizona tough every time we meet.

(That said, we win at least one vs Arizona this year.)

[SigmaUte]

We've got some short memories here if we're talking about playing Arizona tough every time we meet.

(That said, we win at least one vs Arizona this year.)

Shhhh....let me have this.

[LA Ute]

We've got some short memories here if we're talking about playing Arizona tough every time we meet.

(That said, we win at least one vs Arizona this year.)

Only regular season games count. Memories of the massacre in Las Vegas have simply been repressed.

[UtahsMrSports]

How about our friends to the south? Can we beat them in the MC?

[UtahsMrSports]

Only regular season games count. Memories of the massacre in Las Vegas have simply been repressed.

We fell apart at the end of last year. Hoping the depth this year keeps us fresh.

[LA Ute]

How about our friends to the south? Can we beat them in the MC?

I thought the disparity in athleticism was obvious last year. Delon, for example, seemed to blow by BYU defenders at will. I think we win this year.

[311ute]

How about our friends to the south? Can we beat them in the MC?


Couple things to consider about our match up with the Cougs on 12/10:

Collinsworth will be less than 9 months out of ACL surgery. We'll hear all about how great his recovery is going, etc, but I can tell you from experience that it takes at least a full year until someone can play at 100% after that procedure.

Also, BYU won't have Jamal Aytes when we play them. They have him penciled in as their starting 4 when we becomes eligible. Not that he'll be a world beater, but without Mika BYU's front court will be VERY challenged offensively.

I know many have said that Carlino was addition by subtraction, but losing him was a big blow. He made some bone-headed mistakes and was a selfish player, but the fact is he was talented. Without him even more of the scoring load is going to fall on Haws' shoulders. And we've done a very good job on him the past two years.


We will be the much better team this year, and we match up very well with them. They won't have anyone to slow Delon, and our length and size will give Haws and co. fits.



Utes win comfortably in the Marriott Center. Book it.

[U-Ute]

How about our friends to the south? Can we beat them in the MC?

We should have two years ago. We do this year.

[UtahsMrSports]

Couple things to consider about our match up with the Cougs on 12/10:

Collinsworth will be less than 9 months out of ACL surgery. We'll hear all about how great his recovery is going, etc, but I can tell you from experience that it takes at least a full year until someone can play at 100% after that procedure.

Also, BYU won't have Jamal Aytes when we play them. They have him penciled in as their starting 4 when we becomes eligible. Not that he'll be a world beater, but with Mika BYU's front court will be VERY challenged offensively.

I know many have said that Carlino was addition by subtraction, but losing him was a big blow. He made some bone-headed mistakes and was a selfish player, but the fact is he was talented. Without him even more of the scoring load is going to fall on Haws' shoulders. And we've done a very good job on him the past two years.


We will be the much better team this year, and we match up very well with them. They won't have anyone to slow Delon, and our length and size will give Haws and co. fits.



Utes win comfortably in the Marriott Center. Book it.

Looking over their roster, it looks like they have a lot of shooters and a lot of energy guys. Anxious to see how it goes with them this year. The last few years, they have had decent post scoring threats (Davies, Hartsock, Mika). This year, I dont think they will have that; just a lot of big bodies. In theory, that makes their perimeter game easier to defend, but we shall see. Winning there would be huge!

[311ute]

Something I just noticed while reading some notes from media day on Monday...

From the SLTribune:

Also packing on pounds - according to Utah's rosters - is Jordan Loveridge, who is listed at 222 pounds compared to last year's 210.


Anyone else surprised by this? With all the talk of Loveridge making the move to 3, you'd think he would at the very least want to keep his weight, not put more on. Now, if I remember correctly, he played his freshman year at 230. So it's probably not a big deal, and I'm guessing it's good (lean muscle) weight that won't slow him down. But I thought it was interesting.

[FountainOfUte]

Something I just noticed while reading some notes from media day on Monday...

From the SLTribune:

Also packing on pounds - according to Utah's rosters - is Jordan Loveridge, who is listed at 222 pounds compared to last year's 210.


Anyone else surprised by this? With all the talk of Loveridge making the move to 3, you'd think he would at the very least want to keep his weight, not put more on. Now, if I remember correctly, he played his freshman year at 230. So it's probably not a big deal, and I'm guessing it's good (lean muscle) weight that won't slow him down. But I thought it was interesting.

That is interesting and the same thing crossed my mind as I read it. I figured between FR and So years he lost baby fat, and now he's just building "good weight" on an adult body. I guess we'll see.

[Diehard Ute]

That is interesting and the same thing crossed my mind as I read it. I figured between FR and So years he lost baby fat, and now he's just building "good weight" on an adult body. I guess we'll see.

His weight loss after his freshman year was prompted by his fathers health issues and need to lose weight.

Jordan lost weight with him....which was good, but I'm guessing the Utes strength staff got their hooks in him this year and he's a bit more 'molded'

[UtahsMrSports]

I just realized that this is (as far as I can remember) the first time we will go up against a former player who is a major minute-getter on his team. I know we played Morgan Grim once when he was at Utah state but he was a garbage time player. Josh Sharp and Craig Cusick both redshirted while with us (I think).

JJ Obrien's time as a Ute seems like forever ago and I doubt there will be much extra motivation on either side in this matchup, but it still is kind of cool. With so many "former Utes" floating around, youd think we would run into this more frequently.

[Scratch]

I just realized that this is (as far as I can remember) the first time we will go up against a former player who is a major minute-getter on his team. I know we played Morgan Grim once when he was at Utah state but he was a garbage time player. Josh Sharp and Craig Cusick both redshirted while with us (I think).

JJ Obrien's time as a Ute seems like forever ago and I doubt there will be much extra motivation on either side in this matchup, but it still is kind of cool. With so many "former Utes" floating around, youd think we would run into this more frequently.

Trent Whiting.

[Applejack]

Trent Whiting.

Judas!

[UBlender]

Trent Whiting.

Carlon Brown.

[UtahsMrSports]

Carlon Brown.


Trent Whiting.

Lol. sometimes, i think ive nailed it. haha.

[Two Utes]

Something I just noticed while reading some notes from media day on Monday...

From the SLTribune:

Also packing on pounds - according to Utah's rosters - is Jordan Loveridge, who is listed at 222 pounds compared to last year's 210.


Anyone else surprised by this? With all the talk of Loveridge making the move to 3, you'd think he would at the very least want to keep his weight, not put more on. Now, if I remember correctly, he played his freshman year at 230. So it's probably not a big deal, and I'm guessing it's good (lean muscle) weight that won't slow him down. But I thought it was interesting.

I think he is a better player with more weight. Especially if he plays less minutes.

[UtahsMrSports]

Night with the Runnin Utes is tuesday night. Obviously, there is not a ton to gain from this, but it does give us our first look at a number of players. So, my question is, are you going on tuesday and what, if anything, do you want to see?

[LA Ute]

Night with the Runnin Utes is tuesday night. Obviously, there is not a ton to gain from this, but it does give us our first look at a number of players. So, my question is, are you going on tuesday and what, if anything, do you want to see?

I can't be there but I'd love to know how Poeltl looks. He's been kind of a mystery man but I keep hearing hints of awesomeness from those who have seen him play.

[hostile]

I can't be there but I'd love to know how Poeltl looks. He's been kind of a mystery man but I keep hearing hints of awesomeness from those who have seen him play.
Tommy Connor is really excited for this kid.

[SoCalPat]

Night with the Runnin Utes is tuesday night. Obviously, there is not a ton to gain from this, but it does give us our first look at a number of players. So, my question is, are you going on tuesday and what, if anything, do you want to see?

There will be one player who lights it up, Ute Nation will proclaim him the next All-Time Great, but that will be his primary highlight for the season. Two years ago, it was Justin Seymour. Last year, it was Ken Ogbe. My money this year is on Poeltl.

[UtahsMrSports]

There will be one player who lights it up, Ute Nation will proclaim him the next All-Time Great, but that will be his primary highlight for the season. Two years ago, it was Justin Seymour. Last year, it was Ken Ogbe. My money this year is on Poeltl.

I propose that we call this the "Renan Lenz Award".

[concerned]

I propose that we call this the "Renan Lenz Award".

What about Nate Altoff? He was going to be the next Doleac.

[LA Ute]

There will be one player who lights it up, Ute Nation will proclaim him the next All-Time Great, but that will be his primary highlight for the season. Two years ago, it was Justin Seymour. Last year, it was Ken Ogbe. My money this year is on Poeltl.

I have very little information on Poeltl so I can't disagree or agree with you. Why do you think so?

[UBlender]

Night with the Runnin Utes is tuesday night. Obviously, there is not a ton to gain from this, but it does give us our first look at a number of players. So, my question is, are you going on tuesday and what, if anything, do you want to see?

I'm really to see how the wing/forward rotations look. Utah needs another shooter besides Taylor to emerge as a consistent threat. Will Loveridge shoot well enough to stay on the court at the 3 for 30 minutes a game? How much of a factor will Ogbe and Tucker be, will either break into the 25+ minutes a night range or are they bit players? And what of Kuzma and Chapman? I am confident that D. Wright and Taylor will play a lot and the center position will be a three headed monster. What happens in between in still a mystery. Loveridge, Reyes and Kuzma get a fair amount of minutes but at what positions and who emerges to take the bulk of those minutes and who else gets role player minutes is all up in the air.

Tomorrow night won't provide anything remotely resembling a definitive answer to any of this but I'm still eager to see the direction this is trending early in the season.

[UtahsMrSports]

Phil Cullen posted the rosters for tonights game.

White:
Delon
Ogbe
Loveridge
Chapman
Poeltl
Bach
Winder
Eastman

Red:
Isaiah
Taylor
Tucker
Reyes
Olsen
Kuzma
Connor

Interesting way to divide them up.........

[Mormon Red Death]

Phil Cullen posted the rosters for tonights game.

White:
Delon
Ogbe
Loveridge
Chapman
Poeltl
Bach
Winder
Eastman

Red:
Isaiah
Taylor
Tucker
Reyes
Olsen
Kuzma
Connor

Interesting way to divide them up.........

Why isnt the scrimmage on the pac12 network?

[NorthwestUteFan]

Is there a chance they will at least record the game/scrimmage and offer it on the website? The Arizona Blue/Red game was broadcast on PAC network.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Utah athletics twitter said that they planned to stream the game tonight

[LA Ute]

Utah athletics twitter said that they planned to stream the game tonight

Very cool!

[SoCalPat]

I have very little information on Poeltl so I can't disagree or agree with you. Why do you think so?

Because what's Poeltl has gone up against in Austria is nowhere near what he'll see in the Pac-12. We need defense and rebounding from our 5; we can get scoring from a lot of other places, and he's not going to take minutes away from Bach in that regard. Olsen could be another story, but I won't believe it until I see it.

[justaute]

Watching the video-streaming of Utes scrimmage ...AOL from 2000's called and wants its dial-up quality back. LOL

- Jlove outside shots looks terrific.
- Bach's offense still isn't good.
- Poeltl has pretty good feet, but is still learning the game. He's athletic.
- Reyes looks ok so far and is active around the rim.

[justaute]

We now have a big guy who can catch the ball off the bounce, in transition -- Poeltl.

[UtahsMrSports]

Just a couple thoughts. Loveridge, Poeltl, and Isaiah all stood out to me.

But tonight reminded me why i love being a utes fan. Some of my best memories are of being with my Dad at the huntsman. My oldest is three and a half and he loved it. And it was just really neat to be there and to start making memories with him . Reminded me that win, lose, or draw, i really am blessed in my life.

[LA Ute]

Because what's Poeltl has gone up against in Austria is nowhere near what he'll see in the Pac-12. We need defense and rebounding from our 5; we can get scoring from a lot of other places, and he's not going to take minutes away from Bach in that regard. Olsen could be another story, but I won't believe it until I see it.

I'm hopeful. Arizona offered him, IIRC, so we weren't the only ones after him.

[LA Ute]

I couldn't watch the live stream. What are the reports from everyone who got to see it?

[chrisrenrut]

From my untrained eye in section Z, row 6.

Delon was just playing around out there. He had some good (for him) passes and some bad. He drove the lane for buckets a few times, and and hit an open 3. At one point while driving the lane, he did a leaping between the legs dribble that made everyone go "Ooooh", but it didn't really accomplish anything.

Jordan Loveridge was active, and made a lot of jumpers. His shot was really good tonight. I think the 3 will be a good change for him.

I was was impressed with Isaiah Wright. Very composed for a true freshman. Wasn't afraid to shoot from outside and he hit most of them. Taylor seemed about the same. Maybe a little more quick and aggressive.

Poeltl looked like the best big to me. Bach and Olsen looked about the same as last year.

Reyes hit a few from outside. He seemed a bit overwhelmed inside with all the height in there.

Brekkot got to the line a few times. He, Kuzma, Tucker, and Ogbe didn't do a lot that I noticed except make a few turnovers.

[Scratch]

Brekkot got to the line a few times. He, Kuzma, Tucker, and Ogbe didn't do a lot that I noticed except make a few turnovers.

I thought Ogbe looked pretty good (and I thought he might be even a bit taller this year). You can see Kuzma and Brekkot have incredibly high ceilings, even if it wasn't completely clicking tonight.

[Scratch]

Each year this team looks more and more like the elite teams out there just from a visual standpoint, meaning each year they get bigger, longer, and more athletic. The team tonight reminded me a bit of a Boeheim-type team, at least from a physical standpoint. Height, length, and athleticism all over the floor, especially when Delon is at the point.

[Old Standing ute]

Beyond Jordan & Delon---Jordan scoring at will & Delon dominating at first, but then giving others a turn--there was Freaky Zekey & Poeltl.
Zekey outplayed Taylor. His shot was there, no lazy or dumb passes & has learned not to force a dribble in traffice. Poeltl is an athlete. Unlike Dallin he plays above the rim.
Reyes hit several mid-range shots & rebounded. Probably starts at the 4.
Others---Tucker, Ogbe, Kuzma had their moments, but need to be more consistent.
Team will be really deep or some good players will sit. Larry K has a good problem finding minutes for good players.

Still 2 more weeks of practice until first game----so we will get even better.

[chrisrenrut]

I thought Ogbe looked pretty good (and I thought he might be even a bit taller this year). You can see Kuzma and Brekkot have incredibly high ceilings, even if it wasn't completely clicking tonight.

I spent half the night trying to tell Kuzma and Ogbe apart. Both were wearing the same black undershirt, Kuzma was #23 and Ogbe was #25, and they were both on the same team, and are not physically dissimilar enough for me to tell at a glance which was which.

[UtahsMrSports]

First my player by player thoughts:

Bach: looked about the same to me. maybe a bit bigger. As he is a senior, I don't think he went all out here.

Chapman: This kid just looks like a basketball player. As others have pointed out, he frequently deferred to his more senior teammates, but when he was aggressive, he has a devastating first step for someone of his size. He is by no means a bruiser, but he looked bigger than I anticipated. By his jr year, he is going to be a terrific player.

Kuzma: Showed some nice touch on his jumper. Very fluid athlete. I thought he was very active. Like Brekkott, you can just see the potential and in a couple of years when these two are our starting forwards, we are going to be awfully tough to guard.

Loveridge: He seemed very comfortable at the 3. His shot was falling and he had a couple of nice finishes in traffic. Also, he seemed a bit better defensively. Looks to be in terrific shape.

Ogbe: Ran the point more often than I anticipated. (To be honest: if last night is a true representation of the new offense, it doesn't really matter who brings the ball up, unless your name is Delon, as this is a pass-happy offense). His role is going to be as a shooter who can space the floor. If he hits consistently, he will get a reasonable amount of minutes.

Olsen: Either by design or otherwise, he was playing much further from the hoop than he has in the past. I think his role will be the same this year, and that is as part of a three-headed monster at center.

Poeltlt: On several occasions, Bach simply proved to be too strong for him. He is going to struggle against strong opponents. But he is so long, so athletic, has terrific hands and a nice soft touch around the basket. I put him in the same boat as Chapman and Kuzma, give him a year or two and then watch out.

Reyes: I didn't notice much from him. He hit a long jumper or two. I heard a few people talk about how tough he was inside and maybe that was during the part I missed.

Taylor: Played like a veteran. we will need that veteran leadership, shooting, and pesky defense this year.

Tucker: Looks bigger to me, but in a good way. I think he can be the wing stopper that we need. If he can continue to hit shots from distance at a good clip, he will see time. Plus.........Will Smith haircut!

Winder: very raw, but athletic. Could be a pesky defender at some point.

Delon: Didn't really go all that hard, in fact in the second half he was either on the bench or just there on the court letting other guys shine. Even in this, he was so smooth.

Isaiah: Had the outside game going. No fear whatsoever. I have no doubt taht he will use this year as an apprenticeship under Delon to learn some tricks and he will ready to man the point come next year. Looking like a steal.

Other thoughts:

-After a predictably one-sided first half, they reshuffled the teams at halftime and one team came back with Delon, Brandon, Loveridge, Reyes, and Poeltl. That looks an awful lot like a starting lineup to me.

-Was I the only one who stopped breathing when Delon went tumbling into the chairs, and then subsequently exhaled deeply when he came walking out just fine?

-I love the in-arena announcer. I love that he has fun giving extended bios, harassing the refs, and making other lame jokes. That was a neat touch, I thought.

-For several minutes, Dallin B and Poeltl were on the same team and played together. This involved Poeltl chasing Brekkott around the perimeter, which he did well. I think there are times we can go uber-big this year with Bach and Poeltl up front. Talk about building a wall!

-I didn't stick around for autographs, was it better this year? Last year, they had two lines down on the floor and it was a mess.

All in all, a fun night.

[U-Ute]

Each year this team looks more and more like the elite teams out there just from a visual standpoint, meaning each year they get bigger, longer, and more athletic. The team tonight reminded me a bit of a Boeheim-type team, at least from a physical standpoint. Height, length, and athleticism all over the floor, especially when Delon is at the point.

That does not suck.

[concerned]

That does not suck.

It would if it means we are going to play the Syracuse zone defense.

[UtahsMrSports]

Utes picked second in the preseason poll.

http://www.utahutes.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102314aaa.html

Id be ecstatic if we finished second.

[LA Ute]

Krysko and Delon having some fun with selfies at PAC-12 Media Day:

http://pac-12.com/videos/utah-mens-hoops-selfies-hard-2014-mens-basketball-media-day

[concerned]

In 25 words or less, someone explain the relationship between Larry K and Tres Tinkle. Were they teammates? Did Tinkle pay for Larry at Montana? etc etc

[Scratch]

In 25 words or less, someone explain the relationship between Larry K and Tres Tinkle. Were they teammates? Did Tinkle pay for Larry at Montana? etc etc

I assume you mean Wayne, not Tres (Tres is Wayne's kid who is a high-level recruit in high school right now). Wayne And LK played together at Montana for a year and then Wayne was an assistant for LK at Montana from '04-'06. He replaced LK as head coach there when LK left.

[concerned]

I assume you mean Wayne, not Tres (Tres is Wayne's kid who is a high-level recruit in high school right now). Wayne And LK played together at Montana for a year and then Wayne was an assistant for LK at Montana from '04-'06. He replaced LK as head coach there when LK left.


Yes I did mean the dad and coach. thanks.

[LA Ute]

A glimpse of Poeltl (no. 3):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RqbyFZ2kwE

[SeattleUte]

A glimpse of Poeltl (no. 3):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RqbyFZ2kwE

That's a pretty prosaic highlight.

[SeattleUte]

I assume you mean Wayne, not Tres (Tres is Wayne's kid who is a high-level recruit in high school right now). Wayne And LK played together at Montana for a year and then Wayne was an assistant for LK at Montana from '04-'06. He replaced LK as head coach there when LK left.

53 words.

So he owes LK for his very career.

[Scratch]

53 words.

So he owes LK for his very career.

But only 23 words dealt with the relationship, which was the part that was subject to the limitation. The rest of it was addressing the foundational misunderstanding and then providing additional backstory that was not part of the response to the actual question.

Mission accomplished!

[concerned]

But only 23 words dealt with the relationship, which was the part that was subject to the limitation. The rest of it was addressing the foundational misunderstanding and then providing additional backstory that was not part of the response to the actual question.

Mission accomplished!

Of course, you could have just assumed I meant the dad (and knew that we had recruited the kid until his dad got the OSU job), without the necessity of being a show off know it all. But NOOOOO. After 25 words, I had no answer at all.

[UtahsMrSports]

A couple of things.......

-I see only one exhibition game listed on our schedule, which likely means that we have another "secret" game this year. Two years ago, we got blown out by Montana State. Last year, we beat Wyoming. This is where I miss Tony Jones. Last year, he sent me and a bunch of others on twitter a bunch of DM's with all of the relevant info. These games are literally for only the teams and no media are involved at all. Tony got his news from someone on the coaching staff. Even if Piper or Goon at the trib find info about this game, I doubt they do anything with it. So, if anyone here catches news of who we are playing and how it goes down, please share what you can!

-I occasionally lurk on twitter. Last night I saw that Noah Togiai is legitimately struggling to decide what sport to play in college. I think he would be a beast at either, so I am glad that he is a Ute! But, this is an interesting development, as I thought he was set on basketball.

-NBAdraft.net currently has Delon Wright going to the Pacers with the 27th overall pick in the 2015 draft. This will be fun to track throughout the year.

[311ute]

-I see only one exhibition game listed on our schedule, which likely means that we have another "secret" game this year. Two years ago, we got blown out by Montana State. Last year, we beat Wyoming. This is where I miss Tony Jones. Last year, he sent me and a bunch of others on twitter a bunch of DM's with all of the relevant info. These games are literally for only the teams and no media are involved at all. Tony got his news from someone on the coaching staff. Even if Piper or Goon at the trib find info about this game, I doubt they do anything with it. So, if anyone here catches news of who we are playing and how it goes down, please share what you can!


We play Wyoming on Saturday.

[LA Ute]

I am sure Larry K. will want to be in on this too. It's a great opportunity to increase awareness of the program's progress:

Basketball version of "The Drive" (http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/ua/2014/11/03/basketball-version-of-the-drive-a-positive-for-ua-athletic-director-greg-byrne-says/18440637/)

[Diehard Ute]

I am sure Larry K. will want to be in on this too. It's a great opportunity to increase awareness of the program's progress:

Basketball version of "The Drive" (http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/ua/2014/11/03/basketball-version-of-the-drive-a-positive-for-ua-athletic-director-greg-byrne-says/18440637/)

From what I understand all 12 programs are being featured for basketball instead of just one (and from the Tribune coverage of the pac12 media days they mentioned the conference media folks loved Larry in China and had already discussed the drive with him)

[UtahsMrSports]

The first kenpom rankings are out.

kenpom.com

He has us at 42, one spot ahead of our friends to the south.

We have preseason games against #s 4, 10, 29, and 43.

Our first opponent, Ball St, checks in as the 280th best college basketball squad in the land.

[U-Ute]

From: Utah basketball notes: Krystkowiak says don’t read too much into starting lineup (http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/1795686-155/krystkowiak-game-utah-start-think-loveridge)


He said that right now, he doesn’t foresee any of his players redshirting, and he wants them all believe that with a standout week of practice, they can start.

From the lighter side:



Krystkowiak said he had breakfast a couple of months ago with band director Brian Sproul and suggested that the band bring a few more drums — particularly bass drums, as he’s seen used to pleasing effect at NBA arenas.

"I just think there’s something to a little bit of the low bass that changes the arena," he said.

He was going to follow up to see if they were warm to that idea, but heard the percussion he’d asked for during warmups Friday night.
"I’ve always thought the drums — it’s kind of symbolic, I think, because our student section’s kind of the heartbeat of the arena."

[LA Ute]

From PAC-12 Hoops (http://pachoops.com/2014/11/and-were-back-a-run-through-weekend-hoops/) today:


P-O-E-L-T-L

I’ve never seen a ‘T’ sandwiched by two ‘Ls.’ I’d also never seen Jakob Poeltl until his name was listed in Utah’s starting lineup and then he threw down a running one handed oop. Did you know he’s a seven-footer? Yeah so if you haven’t taken notice, it’s time we start paying attention. And if anecdotes don’t do it for you, perhaps you need a little quantification, how’s 18 and 12 in that debut? Take notice.
It's a great blog, highly recommended.

[LA Ute]

Delon Wright is on the Wooden Award Watch List:

http://woodenaward.org/PreseasonTop50.html

There are 50 players on the list, but still....

[hostile]

Delon Wright is on the Wooden Award Watch List:

http://woodenaward.org/PreseasonTop50.html

There are 50 players on the list, but still....

Kansas and Kentucky both with four.

[LA Ute]

Kansas and Kentucky both with four.

So 8 of 50 are from two schools. That's just...wrong. I blame George W. Bush.

[DrumNFeather]

Grantland's Pac 12 preview...some good Ute nuggets in here: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2014-15-ncaa-basketball-preview-pac-12-ucla-cal-utah-arizona-colorado-oregon-washington/

[Applejack]

Grantland's Pac 12 preview...some good Ute nuggets in here: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2014-15-ncaa-basketball-preview-pac-12-ucla-cal-utah-arizona-colorado-oregon-washington/

Woah, expectations are getting out of control. I'd like to see a few games before ESPN declares us a lock for #2 in the Pac.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Woah, expectations are getting out of control. I'd like to see a few games before ESPN declares us a lock for #2 in the Pac.

I trust you've seen enough by now.

[Applejack]

I trust you've seen enough by now.

I have. Delon is Pac-12 player of the year.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

I have. Delon is Pac-12 player of the year.

:highfive:

(There seems to be a lot more angry emojis on this site than I'm used to.)

[justaute]

The young Utes looked pretty decent tonight -- in particular, Poeltl, Chapman, and I-Wright. I'm feeling encouraged. Poeltl looked terrific and should have a high ceiling...go get'em young man.

- Loveridge/Bach: They are who they are.
- Taylor: At times, I really don't like his game; nonetheless, has a very good never-give-up attitude.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Kansas loses to Kentucky by 32 tonight, only scoring 40 points. Pace yourselves, kids. Might be a tussle of ugly when we face off. Although I imagine both offenses to have things clicking better by then.

[LA Ute]

- Loveridge/Bach: They are who they are.

I have accepted this fact and have enjoyed increased fan serenity ever since.

[UtahsMrSports]

We have four straight games now against some of the worst teams in college basketball. It will be our easiest stretch of the season. We need to pound all four teams into the ground. Our next opportunity to really gauge our team will be December 3 against Witchita St.

[LA Ute]

We have four straight games now against some of the worst teams in college basketball. It will be our easiest stretch of the season. We need to pound all four teams into the ground. Our next opportunity to really gauge our team will be December 3 against Witchita St.

I hope we get plenty of style points and that we work out lots of kinks.

[LA Ute]

Didn't see this posted elsewhere. Utah's in the 2015 Puerto Rico Tip-Off:

http://www.utahutes.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/112014aab.html

[DrumNFeather]

Didn't see this posted elsewhere. Utah's in the 2015 Puerto Rico Tip-Off:

http://www.utahutes.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/112014aab.html
I predict that we will win it. Write it down! Take a picture!

[DrumNFeather]

Random question: do the utes use some kind of smoke machine for intros?

HD feed seemed a little hazy at first.

[Diehard Ute]

Random question: do the utes use some kind of smoke machine for intros?

HD feed seemed a little hazy at first.

No smoke

[DrumNFeather]

No smoke
Hmm...thanks. Maybe it's them new fangled lights. It's better now.

[U-Ute]

On Kuzma, Chapman, and Poeltl: The thing that blows my mind about these guys isn't their athleticism, which they have, it's their basketball IQ. Just watching these guys move around on the floor, they all have great instincts about the game. These guys could be the DMC trio we hoped the originals would be. Their athleticism just adds to their ceiling.

My judgement is still out on Wright. The PG position is different. Don't get me wrong, I think he can be good. The kid has mental toughness.

[LA Ute]

On Kuzma, Chapman, and Poeltl: The thing that blows my mind about these guys isn't their athleticism, which they have, it's their basketball IQ. Just watching these guys move around on the floor, they all have great instincts about the game. These guys could be the DMC trio we hoped the originals would be. Their athleticism just adds to their ceiling.

My judgement is still out on Wright. The PG position is different. Don't get me wrong, I think he can be good. The kid has mental toughness.

I think Isaiah may be the most under-the-radar of all four of the freshmen. We'll see, but I think he has a terrific hoops IQ. Of all the newbies he was the only one I've heard Larry gush about.

[UBlender]

On Kuzma, Chapman, and Poeltl: The thing that blows my mind about these guys isn't their athleticism, which they have, it's their basketball IQ. Just watching these guys move around on the floor, they all have great instincts about the game. These guys could be the DMC trio we hoped the originals would be. Their athleticism just adds to their ceiling.

My judgement is still out on Wright. The PG position is different. Don't get me wrong, I think he can be good. The kid has mental toughness.

I'm not sure Poeltl's hoops IQ is all that when I see him leaving his feet to block a three pointer as the shot clock is about to expire. Lots of teams are going to try to get him in foul trouble, he needs to be smarter.

[LA Ute]

I'm not sure Poeltl's hoops IQ is all that when I see him leaving his feet to block a three pointer as the shot clock is about to expire. Lots of teams are going to try to get him in foul trouble, he needs to be smarter.

As SCP has reminded us, he's a very young Euro who probably hasn't had great coaching. It'll be interesting to see how he progresses this season.

[U-Ute]

I'm not sure Poeltl's hoops IQ is all that when I see him leaving his feet to block a three pointer as the shot clock is about to expire. Lots of teams are going to try to get him in foul trouble, he needs to be smarter.

I think I know the one you're talking about. Against UC Riverside? Yeah, that was dumb. It was a bad angle. I'm not saying he's perfect, but he understands the game at a level that I suspect we won't see him do that again.

[Old Standing ute]

I think Isaiah may be the most under-the-radar of all four of the freshmen. We'll see, but I think he has a terrific hoops IQ. Of all the newbies he was the only one I've heard Larry gush about.

Wright is the leader of this group & appears to be driven to succeed. Not sure if it was his idea or Larry K, but at intial practices if he made a bad pass or decision he immediately dropped & did pushups. By the third practice I saw he was not doing any pushups.

Chapman is really basketball savvy in the way he sets picks--he gets low so he is really wide & then he rolls to an open spot. There are times he is open in the post & they do no get him the ball. Too bad as he is really clever around the rim & could pass out of a double team.

Kuzma likes to shoot.

[LA Ute]

Well, SDSU beat Arizona 61-59. It's hard to draw conclusions from just a few games with common opponents, but I do think the PAC-12 season will be very interesting. It'll also be interesting to see what happens when we play BYU.

[sancho]

Well, SDSU beat Arizona 61-59. It's hard to draw conclusions from just a few games with common opponents, but I do think the PAC-12 season will be very interesting. It'll also be interesting to see what happens when we play BYU.

I watched parts of the game. Hollis-Jefferson and Johnson are strong and fast. Gonna be hard to handle.

BYU scheduled 5 good noncon games, and they are 0-2 so far. They only have 2-3 meaningful conference games, so they really need to win 2 of 3 vs Utah, Stanford, and UMass.

[SeattleUte]

Well, SDSU beat Arizona 61-59.

:blink:

[Diehard Ute]

Well, SDSU beat Arizona 61-59. It's hard to draw conclusions from just a few games with common opponents, but I do think the PAC-12 season will be very interesting. It'll also be interesting to see what happens when we play BYU.

They did?

[LA Ute]

The PAC-12 site says SDSU won, 61-59. (I checked it twice.) The ESPN site says the score is 61-59, Arizona. From the helpful responses here I am gathering that the PAC-12 site is wrong.

[SeattleUte]

The PAC-12 site says SDSU won, 61-59. (I checked it twice.) The ESPN site says the score is 61-59, Arizona. From the helpful responses here I am gathering that the PAC-12 site is wrong.

I watched the game. I'm pretty sure I saw Arizona win.

[LA Ute]

I watched the game. I'm pretty sure I saw Arizona win.

I do not dispute thy report, O Seattle Ute. I did not see the game; I merely made the mistake of thinking PAC-12.com had the score right.

1318

[U-Ute]

Wright is the leader of this group & appears to be driven to succeed. Not sure if it was his idea or Larry K, but at intial practices if he made a bad pass or decision he immediately dropped & did pushups. By the third practice I saw he was not doing any pushups.

Thanks for the insight on Wright. I was noticing last night how often he was getting guys into the right position, which seemed unusual for a freshman. Last night I also realized that I have yet to see him get caught in the air making a pass. Another sign of how mature he is.


Chapman is really basketball savvy in the way he sets picks--he gets low so he is really wide & then he rolls to an open spot. There are times he is open in the post & they do no get him the ball. Too bad as he is really clever around the rim & could pass out of a double team.

I agree. Very basketball savvy. All these young guys are. It is really exciting to watch. I think this team is smart enough that they'll learn to start looking for things like that.


Kuzma likes to shoot.

The kid is definitely a gunner and its easy to get shots right now. He only took one against SDSU, and got swatted. That was an early game and it looks like he is rapidly gaining confidence, so we'll see how he fares against Wichita State and BYU. It is a really nice addition to last year when we had stretches where nobody wanted to shoot.

At this point, I'm getting really pumped about this team. It has incredible potential and they are getting better game to game.

Thanks again for the insight.

[U-Ute]

I do not dispute thy report, O Seattle Ute. I did not see the game; I merely made the mistake of thinking PAC-12.com had the score right.


Yeah, they screwed it up. Sadly, they haven't fixed it yet.

:drunk:

[Old Standing ute]

Well, SDSU beat Arizona 61-59. It's hard to draw conclusions from just a few games with common opponents, but I do think the PAC-12 season will be very interesting. It'll also be interesting to see what happens when we play BYU.

The SDSU/AZ was somewhat like the SDSU/Ute game. grind it out with tough D by both teams. Az just had Stanley Johnson a fresh step up & score. Plus SDSU missed FTs. Ute/AZ match up may hinge on who covers Johnson--could be Delon or Loveridge, we win that matchup we win the game--if Reyes can rebound with Hollis-Jefferson (is that correct name?).
BYU is run & gun as they have no inside game. They need to out-score every team. If Connor has a game plan like last year, we shut down Hawes game over as Poeltl, Reyes & company will overwhelm them.
As to the PAC--if you trust that Utes thumped Wyo in that scrimmage by 20+, then we look good.
Colorado lost at Wyo by 20. Wyo now being called 2nd best team in league.
UCLA depends on guards--Alford's kid leading scorer. Pound them inside. They play NoCar today.
Stanford getting hype early, but they lost players. Randle scores, but I don't think they hold up.
USC lost to Pacific.
Rest of the league OK, but Utes should hold home turf & then depends on road wins--we need sweeps which are hard.

Psyched for Dec 3.

[U-Ute]

At the end of last season, if I told anyone that JO, our most consistent post player, would be the 12th man off of the bench this year, I would have had my fan card revoked.

It is crazy how much we have improved his year.

[UtahsMrSports]

Its beyond a pitiful metric, but RPI is important, and as of today, we are 51. Green bay and Alabama are in the top 5 and id love to see that justified. But at any rate we are moving up this arbitrary latter of criteria.

[sancho]

Its beyond a pitiful metric, but RPI is important, and as of today, we are 51. Green bay and Alabama are in the top 5 and id love to see that justified. But at any rate we are moving up this arbitrary latter of criteria.

It is always a ridiculously silly metric, but it's 100 more bad in early December than in February. Don't worry about it yet.

[LA Ute]

This guy at CBS Sports ranks Utah 13th:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24872574/st-johns-enters-top-25-and-one

[justaute]

It's still early, but Washington is looking real good defensively against SDSU.

[Diehard Ute]

It's still early, but Washington is looking real good defensively against SDSU.

Should be noted SDSU is missing Quinn their second leading scorer. Broke a finger in Maui and had surgery

[justaute]

yup...heard that from the commentators.


Should be noted SDSU is missing Quinn their second leading scorer. Broke a finger in Maui and had surgery

[U-Ute]

This guy at CBS Sports ranks Utah 13th:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24872574/st-johns-enters-top-25-and-one

I think this is accurate. I think Utah belongs in the top 15.

[LA Ute]

USA Today coaches' poll has us at 14. (http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/basketball-men/polls/coaches-poll/) Our next opponent, BYU, didn't even get any votes, which surprises me a little.

[chrisrenrut]

USA Today coaches' poll has us at 14. (http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/basketball-men/polls/coaches-poll/) Our next opponent, BYU, didn't even get any votes, which surprises me a little.

The loss to Purdue on a neutral court probably hurt them. If they won that, I think they would be getting some votes.

[LA Ute]

The loss to Purdue on a neutral court probably hurt them. If they won that, I think they would be getting some votes.

I'd forgotten about that. I don't think this Wednesday's game in the MAC will be a cakewalk for Utah. I see it as a toss-up. I hope I am terribly wrong, of course, and that the Ute crush them.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

I'd forgotten about that. I don't think this Wednesday's game in the MAC will be a cakewalk for Utah. I see it as a toss-up. I hope I am terribly wrong, of course, and that the Ute crush them.

Wednesday's game worries me as much as the Colorado State game worries me. Quite a bit and for the same reasons. BYU is a good offensive team. One that our defense will struggle to contain. We'll have to win with offense. Delon needs to get close to 20, hopefully Poeltl is in the same vicinity. I'd love for Taylor to have another strong game. I think this is going to be one of those weird games where we need to get to 75 points to win but if we end up in the 90's, I think we actually lose since it means we're in a shoot out and I think that works in their favor more than ours.

[LA Ute]

13th in the AP poll. (http://collegebasketball.ap.org/) We are now a big game for the Cougars.

[LA Ute]

I notice that Washington is 17th and sneaking up on us. They were not supposed to be good this year, were they?

[justaute]

Not sure. I did watch the UW/SD game. Even though SD was without its #2 scorer, UW's defense looked terrific. UW has size and athleticism. It has a big guy in the middle who is a load.


I notice that Washington is 17th and sneaking up on us. They were not supposed to be good this year, were they?

[LA Ute]

Not sure. I did watch the UW/SD game. Even though SD was without its #2 scorer, UW's defense looked terrific. UW has size and athleticism. It has a big guy in the middle who is a load.

Our last PAC-12 game of the season before the conference tournament is against Washington, in Seattle. That may be a very interesting game.

[LA Ute]

PAC-12 Hoops' always-interesting take:

http://pachoops.com/2014/12/pachoops-power-rankings-our-debut-and-we-need-a-title/

[U-Ute]

PAC-12 Hoops' always-interesting take:

http://pachoops.com/2014/12/pachoops-power-rankings-our-debut-and-we-need-a-title/

A long season in front of us still, but I can't argue with how things look right now.

[Mormon Red Death]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/11973617/utah-delon-wright-ready-spotlight

[LA Ute]

Krystkowiak puts Utah back on map (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/page/coachspeak141210/larry-krystkowiak-utah-utes-relevant-again-face-rival-byu-cougars)

[UtahsMrSports]

We are up into the top 20 of the RPI.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rpi/_/teamId/2739

[UtahsMrSports]

Good and bad news from Chad Ford just now in his weekly Chat:

Brandon (NC)

"

Since the start of college basketball season. Who's stock has risen and fallen the most?
Chad Ford (1:50 PM)




Chris McCullough of Syracuse and Jakob Poeltl have been our highest risers. Both started the season ranked outside our Top 30 and both look like lottery picks now. Kelly Oubre and Wayne Selden have probably fallen the furthest -- however Oubre finally got some significant playing time last night versus Georgetown. While he wasn't great, he was better. If he keeps getting more time and keeps improving, he'll move right back into the Top 10. Too much talent there to ignore.


Brett (San Antonio )



What are your thoughts on Delon Wright and the Big Austrian in Utah. Pro Potential? How far can they lead the Utes' this year?
Chad Ford (1:52 PM)




Whenever you have an elite PG and an elite big, you're a dangerous team and I think the Utes could end the season ranked in the Top 10. Arizona is the only team in the Pac 10 that I think has a better shot of winning the conference championship. As for draft prospect, Poeltl is a likely lottery pick. He's huge, he's athletic and mobile, he defends and rebounds and has a really nice touch around the basket. That's the recipe for a NBA lottery pick. Wright has been fantastic and his jump shot has shown improvements. We have him in the 20s on our Big Board right now. His age hurts him the most. NBA teams tend to shy away from drafting older players in the lottery."






While it would be a big hit to us to lose Poeltl after one year, the sales pitch in recruiting gets a BIG bump. Being able to look at a kid and say "we just put two guys into teh first round........" that means a lot.

[Applejack]

Chad Ford

I think Poeltl's a goner. It really doesn't matter how well he does (unless he sucks) from here on out. He's big, young, has great hands, is mobile, and has good defensive instincts. That's what the NBA cares about. I doubt he's a lottery pick, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes Top 20.

[Diehard Ute]

I think Poeltl's a goner. It really doesn't matter how well he does (unless he sucks) from here on out. He's big, young, has great hands, is mobile, and has good defensive instincts. That's what the NBA cares about. I doubt he's a lottery pick, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes Top 20.

Reading some interviews I don't think a jump to the pros is an automatic thing for him. Is it a possibility. Sure. But he has other things he and his family would like to accomplish

[U-Ute]

I think Poeltl's a goner. It really doesn't matter how well he does (unless he sucks) from here on out. He's big, young, has great hands, is mobile, and has good defensive instincts. That's what the NBA cares about. I doubt he's a lottery pick, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes Top 20.

Yeah. That's how I feel about it to. That's why I'm spending the rest of the season trying to convince Poeltl via the Internet that he should stay.

[U-Ute]

Reading some interviews I don't think a jump to the pros is an automatic thing for him. Is it a possibility. Sure. But he has other things he and his family would like to accomplish

That one Yahoo article did really seem to imply that his family life is pretty secure and so he'd like to have the college experience and an education before going pro. Fear of injury is the big wildcard in all of that.

[Diehard Ute]

That one Yahoo article did really seem to imply that his family life is pretty secure and so he'd like to have the college experience and an education before going pro. Fear of injury is the big wildcard in all of that.

Yeah that's always a fear. It's also a bit premature to go all in because Chad Ford says something.

[justaute]

I think a scout, who watched the Shockers game, said something to the effect of Poeltl needs to get stronger and he wants to see how Poeltl does against other quality big men.

[Diehard Ute]

I think a scout, who watched the Shockers game, said something to the effect of Poeltl needs to get stronger and he wants to see how Poeltl does against other quality big men.

Yeah. He was very open in telling press row he has things he needs to work on..

Poeltl has a ton of upside and potential but he's by no means a sure bet.

[LA Ute]

Regarding the noise in the Huntsman Center, which everyone says was awesome for the Wichita State game: Way, way back in the day I remember Jerry Pimm complaining (mildly) about the acoustics in the Huntsman (then the SEC). I remember reading or being told that the place was designed to allow good sound for concerts, but that design tended to deaden crowd noise at basketball games. Ironically, as sound technology evolved the arena's design ended up being wrong for musical concerts because there was no way for bands and to hang the sound equipment. The new railings fix that problem. I wonder if the removal of the cloud and the addition of those black baffles to the ceiling have made the place louder for sports? I hope so.

[Diehard Ute]

Regarding the noise in the Huntsman Center, which everyone says was awesome for the Wichita State game: Way, way back in the day I remember Jerry Pimm complaining (mildly) about the acoustics in the Huntsman (then the SEC). I remember reading or being told that the place was designed to allow good sound for concerts, but that design tended to deaden crowd noise at basketball games. Ironically, as sound technology evolved the arena's design ended up being wrong for musical concerts because there was no way for bands and to hang the sound equipment. The new railings fix that problem. I wonder if the removal of the cloud and the addition of those black baffles to the ceiling have made the place louder for sports? I hope so.

It certainly changes it. The baffles keep the sound from getting lost it the dome

It's funny when it comes to acoustics. Energy Solutions Arena was supposed to have amazing acoustics. The design called for sound at concerts to be close to what you would find in a symphony concert hall, at least in terms of reverb. When it was built the roof was not constructed to design leaving it with reverb several times worse than the design. It was supposed to be fixed after the first season but Larry Miller loved how loud it was for jazz games and thus cancelled any repairs.

[Diehard Ute]

Fun to watch the tweets from Dorrell Wright. Supportive of both Delon and the team in general.

After Delon's poster dunk today he tweeted "Plz watch your head"

It's pretty obvious Dorrell has been won over by the coaches and players. He's not just a fan of his brother.

[justaute]

Very nice.

I really hope our perimeter guys can step-up in big games. We need more than Poeltl. Last year, even though our outside shooting % was ok, when one looks deeper, there was a pretty big discrepancy between % against quality opponents and % against inferior opponents. Taylor/Tucker/Jlove/Ogbe need to shoot better % in big/conference games.


Fun to watch the tweets from Dorrell Wright. Supportive of both Delon and the team in general.

After Delon's poster dunk today he tweeted "Plz watch your head"

It's pretty obvious Dorrell has been won over by the coaches and players. He's not just a fan of his brother.

[UBlender]

I feel like Utah's not getting enough minutes/shots for Ogbe, especially during these droughts where Taylor and Tucker are struggling. He's a guy that can knock down a shot but also has the ability to get into the paint to score, something the other shooters aren't as good at. In fact, my recipe for fixing Utah's offense during these droughts would be as follows:

1. Get Loveridge back 100% (this one is a no-brainer).
2. Get/keep Ogbe more involved (he also needs to calm down a little bit, he tends to seem antsy against quality opponents).
3. Make a more concerted effort on getting the ball into the post (Utah has good size in there and getting it into Poeltl will create opportunities but I also think that Reyes has some nice moves and ability to finish on the block and Dallin is money at the line so they should both be options as well).

Utah doesn't need huge scoring outbursts, just a few baskets here and there, particularly during these long droughts that are becoming all too common in big (road) games.

[justaute]

Agreed. I'm hopeful Loveridge will come back with a renewed sense of urgency. He pulled quite a few "disappearing acts" last year in big games and was IMO subpar in blocking-out for rebounding.


I feel like Utah's not getting enough minutes/shots for Ogbe, especially during these droughts where Taylor and Tucker are struggling. He's a guy that can knock down a shot but also has the ability to get into the paint to score, something the other shooters aren't as good at. In fact, my recipe for fixing Utah's offense during these droughts would be as follows:

1. Get Loveridge back 100% (this one is a no-brainer).
2. Get/keep Ogbe more involved (he also needs to calm down a little bit, he tends to seem antsy against quality opponents).
3. Make a more concerted effort on getting the ball into the post (Utah has good size in there and getting it into Poeltl will create opportunities but I also think that Reyes has some nice moves and ability to finish on the block and Dallin is money at the line so they should both be options as well).

Utah doesn't need huge scoring outbursts, just a few baskets here and there, particularly during these long droughts that are becoming all too common in big (road) games.

[sancho]

Taylor/Tucker/Jlove/Ogbe need to shoot better % in big/conference games.

I don't think we're nervous or anything against the good teams. We just have a hard time getting open 3's vs quality defenses (or lousy defenses that are playing with energy).

[Diehard Ute]

Utes only dropped one spot in the AP, but Doug Doughty of a Virginia newspaper dropped the Utes completely off his ballot.

[U-Ute]

Our friend at PacHoops puts Utah at #2 in his PAC-12 power rankings.

You should click the link just to see Delon dunk the ball. Plus a butt play. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen this successfully executed.

http://pachoops.com/2014/12/pachoops-power-rankings-the-newsroom-is-gone/

[DrumNFeather]

Utah #11 in ESPN's Basketball Power Index. Arizona #10.

[justaute]

Wichita State is in trouble at home, down 40-48 to Alabama with ~5 minutes left in the game.

[hostile]

Wichita State is in trouble at home, down 40-48 to Alabama with ~5 minutes left in the game.
Cut it to 2. 1:48 left with the ball.

[justaute]

Tied up, less than a minute to go.


Cut it to 2. 1:48 left with the ball.

[justaute]

1.2 second remaining, Shockers up 1. Bama has the ball in the front court.


Tied up, less than a minute to go.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Shockers win but they sure have been playing some pretty close games. They struggled with Detroit the game before Alabama.

[LA Ute]

Shockers win but they sure have been playing some pretty close games. They struggled with Detroit the game before Alabama.

They are still suffering a hangover from our win over them. ;)

[SoCalPat]

Utes only dropped one spot in the AP, but Doug Doughty of a Virginia newspaper dropped the Utes completely off his ballot.

I sent him a Tweet asking for a justification, especially after Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com called him out in a column for doing so, but have not gotten a response. Dozens of other Utes fans did as well. He's a coward. Even admitting to just forgetting about Utah (it happens, trust me) and saying they'll be back in the next poll would be a valid explanation.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

I sent him a Tweet asking for a justification, especially after Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com called him out in a column for doing so, but have not gotten a response. Dozens of other Utes fans did as well. He's a coward. Even admitting to just forgetting about Utah (it happens, trust me) and saying they'll be back in the next poll would be a valid explanation.

He turned the game off at half time.

[sancho]

Shockers win but they sure have been playing some pretty close games. They struggled with Detroit the game before Alabama.

I'm not sure they are a great team, but it doesn't matter. They will win 25 games just because of their schedule, and they will look like a quality win on our resume regardless of their actual quality.

[UtahsMrSports]

Chad Ford is out with his latest Big Board and our two boys are on the up and up..

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/mock/?season=2015&version=4&source=Chad-Ford-Big-Board&ex_cid=InsiderTwitter_ford_bigboard4

(Jakob is at 13, Delon is at 17)

[UtahsMrSports]

Also, Chad had this to say in his weekly chat.........

Shane (SLC)

Poetl is shooting up mock drafts, is there any chance he comes back for a sophomore year?
Chad Ford (1:45 PM)


Sure. But he ticks a lot of boxes for NBA scouts. He has NBA size and athleticism for his position. He's already an elite offensive rebounder and shot blocker. He plays really hard. His offensive game, especially on the block, is a work in progress, but so is Willie Cauley-Stein's and he's two years older. Size rises as we get closer to the draft and Poeltl looks to be a very solid late lottery to mid first round type of prospect.

[U-Ute]

Sports Illustrated puts the Utes at #12 in their current power rankings (http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2014/12/18/power-rankings-kentucky-duke-arizona-louisville).

1. Kentucky
2. Duke
3. Arizona
4. Wisconsin
5. Louisville
6. Gonzaga
7. Virginia
8. Villanova
9. Kansas
10. Iowa State
11. Texas
12. Utah
13. Wichita State
14. Oklahoma
15. Washington


Has the Utes' defense, which ranks 31st in adjusted efficiency, been unlucky? They've excelled at the aspect of defense teams have the most control over, ranking sixth nationally in two-point FG percentage allowed, at 36.8. But they've been sub-par at defending the three, which tends to involve more luck than close-range defense, ranking 230th in 3PFG% allowed; and they've been killed at the free-throw line, which they can't control at all, ranking 311th in FT% allowed. When Kansas faced Utah on Saturday, the Jayhawks made 21 of 23 free throws ... and won by three points.

[LA Ute]

OK, we have a hard time pronouncing Poeltl's name because the sound needed to say it doesn't really exist in English. Well, there are sounds in English that don't exist in German:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejuK8_12Fmg

[U-Ute]

ok, we have a hard time pronouncing poeltl's name because the sound needed to say it doesn't really exist in english. Well, there are sounds in english that don't exist in german:

:rofl:

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

OK, we have a hard time pronouncing Poeltl's name because the sound needed to say it doesn't really exist in English. Well, there are sounds in English that don't exist in German:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejuK8_12Fmg

I assume that the laughing was the sound German's have trouble with.

[Utebiquitous]

I watched Noah Togai play tonight - Hunter @ Skyline. It's one game but what a game. I sure hope Utah really finds a way to bring this young man into the fold. I have not seen a more physically gifted player who combines strength and speed with finesse in many years at the high school level. In fact, I can't think of anyone - I'm sure there are examples.

Anyway, he had 33 points and had to be near double digits in rebounds with seven or eight assists. What's more, he played with real class. The kid has a football body but rises and shoots with finesse. I actually think his outside shooting game looked a little better than his finishes around the basket. Really impressive.

I hope we know what we're doing. If I'm Larry I don't want to lose him to anyone - including the football program.

[SeattleUte]

I watched Noah Togai play tonight - Hunter @ Skyline. It's one game but what a game. I sure hope Utah really finds a way to bring this young man into the fold. I have not seen a more physically gifted player who combines strength and speed with finesse in many years at the high school level. In fact, I can't think of anyone - I'm sure there are examples.

Anyway, he had 33 points and had to be near double digits in rebounds with seven or eight assists. What's more, he played with real class. The kid has a football body but rises and shoots with finesse. I actually think his outside shooting game looked a little better than his finishes around the basket. Really impressive.

I hope we know what we're doing. If I'm Larry I don't want to lose him to anyone - including the football program.

He should play college basketball then NFL. That used to be more common than it is now.

[SeattleUte]

I watched Noah Togai play tonight - Hunter @ Skyline. It's one game but what a game. I sure hope Utah really finds a way to bring this young man into the fold. I have not seen a more physically gifted player who combines strength and speed with finesse in many years at the high school level. In fact, I can't think of anyone - I'm sure there are examples.

Anyway, he had 33 points and had to be near double digits in rebounds with seven or eight assists. What's more, he played with real class. The kid has a football body but rises and shoots with finesse. I actually think his outside shooting game looked a little better than his finishes around the basket. Really impressive.

I hope we know what we're doing. If I'm Larry I don't want to lose him to anyone - including the football program.

I don't see that ESPN or Rivals even have a football profile for him. Each have basketball only. He's only rated a 75 in basketball by ESPN. it's crazy how competitive it's gotten now we're in the Pac 12. And it's nice to see both football and basketball responding.

[311ute]

I watched Noah Togai play tonight - Hunter @ Skyline. It's one game but what a game. I sure hope Utah really finds a way to bring this young man into the fold. I have not seen a more physically gifted player who combines strength and speed with finesse in many years at the high school level. In fact, I can't think of anyone - I'm sure there are examples.

Anyway, he had 33 points and had to be near double digits in rebounds with seven or eight assists. What's more, he played with real class. The kid has a football body but rises and shoots with finesse. I actually think his outside shooting game looked a little better than his finishes around the basket. Really impressive.

I hope we know what we're doing. If I'm Larry I don't want to lose him to anyone - including the football program.

I'm confused, I thought he broke his fibula...

[sancho]

I watched Noah Togai play tonight - Hunter @ Skyline. It's one game but what a game. I sure hope Utah really finds a way to bring this young man into the fold. I have not seen a more physically gifted player who combines strength and speed with finesse in many years at the high school level. In fact, I can't think of anyone - I'm sure there are examples.



Thanks for the scouting report. I still think we go two sport with him. It just makes too much sense. Save a bball scholarship, have the first real two sport star in a decade. It makes our teams better, and it makes them more visible.

[UtahsMrSports]

I don't see that ESPN or Rivals even have a football profile for him. Each have basketball only. He's only rated a 75 in basketball by ESPN. it's crazy how competitive it's gotten now we're in the Pac 12. And it's nice to see both football and basketball responding.

Have any of the recruiting guys said anything about him lately? I couldnt find anything. I wonder what way he is leaning right now.

[chrisrenrut]

Utah's RPI is currently 13, and SOS is 30. I know it doesn't mean much this early, but it's remakable how differ t it is from this time last year.

[DrumNFeather]

Utah's RPI is currently 13, and SOS is 30. I know it doesn't mean much this early, but it's remakable how differ t it is from this time last year.

Just two days later, RPI sits at 22 and SOS at 52, and for what it's worth, the ESPN BPI has them at #7.

[SeattleUte]

Just two days later, RPI sits at 22 and SOS at 52, and for what it's worth, the ESPN BPI has them at #7.

Wichita lost. Maybe if BYU beats Gonzaga we'll make up that ground. Go cougs!

[Old Standing ute]

Enough with the FB rumours--back to the sport that matters.

CBS Sports first mock draft has Delon at 19 & Poeltl at 22. And they discussed him as an "if" he comes out. Good news as he could make that kind of $ in Germany next year--

[SeattleUte]

Enough with the FB rumours--back to the sport that matters.

CBS Sports first mock draft has Delon at 19 & Poeltl at 22. And they discussed him as an "if" he comes out. Good news as he could make that kind of $ in Germany next year--

It's interesting how for many of us Utes basketball is our first love.

[Old Standing ute]

It's interesting how for many of us Utes basketball is our first love.

From watching Rick Majerus vs. Jim 'the duck" Fassel

[LA Ute]

It's interesting how for many of us Utes basketball is our first love.

It started for me when I was 11.

[SeattleUte]

It started for me when I was 11.

For some of us it started some years before Majerus.

[LA Ute]

For some of us it started some years before Majerus.

Jerry Chambers. Merv Jackson. Lindon McKay. Leonard Black. DeWitt Menyard. Jeff Ockel. I'll never forget them.

Now put down that appletini. You've had enough.

[OrangeUte]

My first memories involved judkins and Jonas, followed by chambers and vranes. Pace mannnion, Clyde rivers, Albert springs. Man I grew up at the special event center, upper bowl through portal 15. So many amazing memories of my dad taking me to gsmes. I loved Utah football too but have to admit that Utah basketball was my first addiction.

[hostile]

For some of us it started some years before Majerus.
For me it started with my dad, who played under Jack Gardner in the 60's. My younger brother played a year as a walk on under Majerus. I've been following them for as long as I can remember.

[hostile]

Jerry Chambers. Merv Jackson. Lindon McKay. Leonard Black. DeWitt Menyard. Jeff Ockel. I'll never forget them.

Now put down that appletini. You've had enough.

I was in school with Leonard Black's son. He didn't inherit any of his father's height.

[#1 Utefan]

[QUOTE=hostile;48324]I was in school with Leonard Black's son. He didn't inherit any of his father's height.[/QUOTE

Utah hoops has always come first for me. My parents have had season tix since the Hunty opened and I have been going to the games since I was 5. My best memories of course we're the mid-90's and the Majerus years. I was too young to remember the Vranes and Chambers years.

[SeattleUte]

Jerry Chambers. Merv Jackson. Lindon McKay. Leonard Black. DeWitt Menyard. Jeff Ockel. I'll never forget them.



Way before my time.

[Solon]

Way before my time.

Right?
Were you there, LA Ute, on the day when they finally cut the bottoms out of the peach-baskets?

[LA Ute]

Right?
Were you there, LA Ute, on the day when they finally cut the bottoms out of the peach-baskets?

I was 11 years old when that team went to the Final 4. It was a very big deal in Utah. Once Lindon MacKay spoke in our ward sacrament meeting. Afterwards the kids lined up to get his autograph.

The peach baskets had ended by then, but canvas Converse All-Stars were THE basketball shoes of choice.

Seattle is lying about his age.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Old Standing ute]

[QUOTE=hostile;48324]I was in school with Leonard Black's son. He didn't inherit any of his father's height.[/QUOTE

Utah hoops has always come first for me. My parents have had season tix since the Hunty opened and I have been going to the games since I was 5. My best memories of course we're the mid-90's and the Majerus years. I was too young to remember the Vranes and Chambers years.

Vranes, Chambers & Karl Bankowski----who was open all day against NoCar, but couldn't hit a thing & ---then Phil Ford dribbling forever in the middle of the court in a 4 corners offense before the shot clock.
Great game even though we lost.

Plus-----who shot Paul Afeaki??????????

[FountainOfUte]

It's interesting how for many of us Utes basketball is our first love.

Count me as one of these. I love how far football has come, but Ute hoops is home base for me.

[OrangeUte]

Who shot Paul afeaki! Awesome!

[NorthwestUteFan]

Paul Afeaki! Every game that team was on TV some announcer would mention that Paul Afeaki 'didn't wear shoes until he was 18'. (Grew up in Samoa)

Fun fact: he was actually American of Lebanese descent.

[sancho]

Count me as one of these. I love how far football has come, but Ute hoops is home base for me.

I love hoops. Josh Grant over Steve Smith is one of my early favorite sports memories.

But football is #1 by quite a bit. Basketball just has too many flaws as a sport.

[justaute]

Utes checked in at #10 on AP poll...wow! It's a little high to me, but I'll take it. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/1

p.s. At this point, I couldn't care any less about the soap-opera that is Utah football. Although the SLC media may have blown things out of proportion, I'm still tired of Whit's management of the offensive coaching carousel. I guess a dysfunctional family is still a family.

[Old Standing ute]

Utes checked in at #10 on AP poll...wow! It's a little high to me, but I'll take it. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/1

p.s. At this point, I couldn't care any less about the soap-opera that is Utah football. Although the SLC media may have blew things out of proportion, I'm still tired of Whit's management of the offensive coaching carousel. I guess a dysfunctional family is still a family.

wow is right.
And Jordan Loveridge has not played for a month.

[Diehard Ute]

Gabe Bealer has enrolled at Utah. Injured knee so he couldn't play at his JC, came to get a head start on academics. That's who was on the bench in sweats last night.

[LA Ute]

Utes checked in at #10 on AP poll...wow! It's a little high to me, but I'll take it. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/1

p.s. At this point, I couldn't care any less about the soap-opera that is Utah football. Although the SLC media may have blown things out of proportion, I'm still tired of Whit's management of the offensive coaching carousel. I guess a dysfunctional family is still a family.

Yep. I'm losing interest myself.

[Old Standing ute]

Gabe Bealer has enrolled at Utah. Injured knee so he couldn't play at his JC, came to get a head start on academics. That's who was on the bench in sweats last night.

Will he have 2 or 3 years left to play?

[Diehard Ute]

Will he have 2 or 3 years left to play?

Goon says he'll be a sophomore next year.

[LA Ute]

Goon says he'll be a sophomore next year.

Goon's story:

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2008825-155/utah-basketball-notes-gabe-bealer-joins

[justaute]

USC -- first P12 game of the year. 8 pm MST on ESPNU. Go Utes!

[chrisrenrut]

Utah # 9 in AP, 11 in USA Today. ESPN RPI has us at 17.

It is freakin' AWESOME to have a team this good, that is legitimately making national news. They are a ton of fun to watch, and seem to be built for future success as well. I love being excited to go to the Huntsman center on snowy or cold winters nights.

I think we may be a bit overrated, and we may see some struggles with shooting and scoring when we hit the road. But we have a real shot to start out 5-0 in the PAC-12 with a home win over Arizona.

[Old Standing ute]

Utah # 9 in AP, 11 in USA Today. ESPN RPI has us at 17.

It is freakin' AWESOME to have a team this good, that is legitimately making national news. They are a ton of fun to watch, and seem to be built for future success as well. I love being excited to go to the Huntsman center on snowy or cold winters nights.

I think we may be a bit overrated, and we may see some struggles with shooting and scoring when we hit the road. But we have a real shot to start out 5-0 in the PAC-12 with a home win over Arizona.

AZ & ASU are road games this month---they come here last weekend of the season. 4-1?

[concerned]

AZ & ASU are road games this month---they come here last weekend of the season. 4-1?

IIRC, our last weekend is in Seattle and Spokane. Az and ASU come the week before

[chrisrenrut]

AZ & ASU are road games this month---they come here last weekend of the season. 4-1?

Oops, my bad. For some reason I had in my mind that we played our first 5 PAC-12 games at home. We are at ASU and Arizona after Colorado.

[LA Ute]

1340

[SeattleUte]

IIRC, our last weekend is in Seattle and Spokane. Az and ASU come the week before

I will watch the Utes clinch their first Pac 12 title. I'll send a full report and pics.

[LA Ute]

I will watch the Utes clinch their first Pac 12 title. I'll send a full report and pics.

Isn't Spokane kind of a long drive for you?

[DrumNFeather]

Up to #8

[jrj84105]

This week looks like a P5 conference championship preview:
Utah vs Arizona
Duke vs Louisville
Kansas vs ISU
Kentucky vs unranked SEC team
Wisconsin vs unranked B1G team

[NorthwestUteFan]

Isn't Spokane kind of a long drive for you?

Is Gonzaga on the schedule?

[LA Ute]

Is Gonzaga on the schedule?

Duh. I meant to say Pullman. 1346

[U-Ute]

Football ended just in time for the showdown this weekend.

I hope our boys are ready for the spotlight.

[SeattleUte]

Football ended just in time for the showdown this weekend.

I hope our boys are ready for the spotlight.

Here's how I honestly feel about this. I would be fine with a split. It's not that I'm satisfied with mediocrity. I have no illusions that it's even now going to be easy for the Utes to win on the road in the Pac 12. Tempe is a tough venue. The students are animals. Hell, Arizona just lost at Oregon State. If we win at Tempe and lose at Arizona and live to beat the cats another day, I can live with that. So I'm glad we're not playing ASU on the second game of a road trip, probably having lost and maybe tired. I'm hoping they get the ASU win and then they'll be playing with house money in Tucson.

[LA Ute]

Here's how I honestly feel about this. I would be fine with a split. It's not that I'm satisfied with mediocrity. I have no illusions that it's even now going to be easy for the Utes to win on the road in the Pac 12. Tempe is a tough venue. The students are animals. Hell, Arizona just lost at Oregon State. If we win at Tempe and lose at Arizona and live to beat the cats another day, I can live with that. So I'm glad we're not playing ASU on the second game of a road trip, probably having lost and maybe tired. I'm hoping they get the ASU win and then they'll be playing with house money in Tucson.

Yep.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Yep.


http://youtu.be/sL4k5DBMvGk

[FountainOfUte]

Here's how I honestly feel about this. I would be fine with a split. It's not that I'm satisfied with mediocrity. I have no illusions that it's even now going to be easy for the Utes to win on the road in the Pac 12. Tempe is a tough venue. The students are animals. Hell, Arizona just lost at Oregon State. If we win at Tempe and lose at Arizona and live to beat the cats another day, I can live with that. So I'm glad we're not playing ASU on the second game of a road trip, probably having lost and maybe tired. I'm hoping they get the ASU win and then they'll be playing with house money in Tucson.

Yep.

[LA Ute]

http://youtu.be/sL4k5DBMvGk

Those guys say it so much better than I ever could.

[UtahsMrSports]

Up to 5 in todays kenpom.com rankings.

[U-Ute]

Those guys say it so much better than I ever could.

Definitely.

[DrumNFeather]

I missed the fact that Wyoming is now #25...isn't that who we beat by a million in one of those secret games?

[LA Ute]

Some insight in this 2011 article into how Krysko might connect well with many of the young men he recruits.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/utes/51767144-89/larry-krystkowiak-coach-montana.html.csp

[DrumNFeather]

Good tweet from Fran Fraschilla: "Tried to put brakes on Utes' Jakob Poeltl lottery talk but everyone wants to be "first to discover guys." Let him mature under a good coach."

[LA Ute]

I thought we might be good this year, but I never dreamed we'd be as good as it looks like we are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[U-Ute]

I thought we might be good this year, but I never dreamed we'd be as good as it looks like we are.

This team is in a groove. Since the start of conference play, they remind me of the 98 team when they hit the NCAA's: they were good before, but they have inexplicably found a new gear.

[Applejack]

I thought we might be good this year, but I never dreamed we'd be as good as it looks like we are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed. So far, so amazing.

The biggest surprises, in order:

1. Poeltl
2. Brekkott
3. Delon's improvement (didn't think he could get better)
4. Dakarai's steadiness
5. Really sound defensive gameplans

[FountainOfUte]

I like that list. For myself, I'd add:
6. Loveridge's outside shot.
7. Taylor's leadership and offensive game

[311ute]

Let’s talk expectations for the rest of the year. What does everyone expect our conference record to be after 18 conf games? What seed in the tourney are we expecting/realistically wanting?

Here are mine…

14-4 conference record should be considered “par” for this team, IMO. These are my expectations:

· Undefeated at home (yes, I expect us to beat UofA)
· Win 2 of 3 during the UCLA/USC/CU road trip
· Split Oregon schools
· Split Washington schools
· Win two games in Vegas

If we finish 14-4 (24-6 overall), and then win two in Vegas (presumably losing to Zona in the championship), I think that would give us a 3 seed. Slight chance at a 2 seed depending on how well Arizona and the rest of the conference does (particularly Stanford, UCLA, Washington).

Two of my favorite sites that deal with projections are “team rankings”, and “rpi forecast”:

http://www.rpiforecast.com/teams/Utah.html

http://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/team/utah-utes/projections

Both sites have us as favored in every remaining (scheduled) game. RPI forecast has us going 15-3 (8.5 RPI) in conference, Team Rankings has us 14.6-3.4. Most likely NCAA seed according to them is 3 seed (26.2%), followed by 2 seed (22.3%) and 4 seed (19.3%). RPI forecast is nice because it gives a projected final RPI rank depending on record. We’re in good shape as far as RPI goes, even with the conference being down this year.


Thoughts?

[chrisrenrut]

Sounds about right to me.

[Mormon Red Death]

Does anyone know when Ogbe is back? Looking at this year so far we have to be the most injured team in the conference maybe even the country.

We went several games without Tucker (Plays 15-23 minutes a game)
We went a month and half without Loveridge (Starter)
Bachinsky sat for game
Reyes has played most of the year with a bandage on his hand
Poetl has now sat for a conference game.
Ogbe has not played in 2+weeks now.
Even I. Wright sat for a couple of games

This team is deep.

[Diehard Ute]

Does anyone know when Ogbe is back? Looking at this year so far we have to be the most injured team in the conference maybe even the country.

We went several games without Tucker (Plays 15-23 minutes a game)
We went a month and half without Loveridge (Starter)
Bachinsky sat for game
Reyes has played most of the year with a bandage on his hand
Poetl has now sat for a conference game.
Ogbe has not played in 2+weeks now.
Even I. Wright sat for a couple of games

This team is deep.

Ogbe is sorta just waiting. It's s groin injury so they're being extra cautious. Basically said he won't be back until all the pain is gone.

[Diehard Ute]

Great article on Larry from USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/pac12/2015/01/22/college-basketball-utah-utes-coach-larry-krystkowiak/22156099/

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Great article on Larry from USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/pac12/2015/01/22/college-basketball-utah-utes-coach-larry-krystkowiak/22156099/

Larry is easily the best coach in college basketball with a losing record. (This joke expires in three more days.)

[Scratch]

Larry is easily the best coach in college basketball with a losing record. (This joke expires in three more days.)

Except he's 20 games over .500. You'd have to modify the statement to be "the best coach in college basketball with a losing record at his current school."

[LA Ute]

From PAC-12 Hoops today (http://pachoops.com/2015/01/pachoops-power-rankings-good-weather/):


Last week we asked how this team would react to their first big loss of the season. They walked into McKale and had their lunch handed to them. Mark Titus questioned their toughness (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ncaa-rankings-college-basketball-utah-utes-louisville-cardinals-notre-dame-fighting-irish-villanova-wildcats-iowa-state-cyclones-maryland-terrapins-dick-vitale-duke-blue-devils-arizona-wildcats-gonzag/):


Utah was as soft as it has been all season. Arizona hit one 3, Utah hit nine, and the Utes lost by 18? How is that possible? Why didn’t anybody on Utah get pissed off over giving up so many offensive rebounds?



He had a point and what I questioned here was how would they respond? Well the Utes promptly swept the Washingtons in blowout fashion, staying the course of their season and not doing things like throwing gimmicky zones. This was something K2 instituted against Arizona which – to me – suggested to his team that they’d already lost. Getting back to the Hunt and their style of play was big for Utah. Things are fine.

[justaute]

Good article on Delon from LA Times.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-utah-delon-wright-20150128-story.html

[justaute]

...and an article on Utah basketball from SBNation.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2015/1/27/7904369/utah-basketball-delon-wright-pac-12

[Applejack]

Thanks, justa. That article about delon made it seem like he and Dorrell are not that close. They are such different players and maybe they are really different people as well.

[Diehard Ute]

Thanks, justa. That article about delon made it seem like he and Dorrell are not that close. They are such different players and maybe they are really different people as well.

They're actually pretty close.

Delon went to Portland for Christmas break

Dorrell watches every Ute game he can, he usually tweets during games. And not just about Delon. He calls the team his "young Utes".

[U-Ute]

Good article on Delon from LA Times.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-utah-delon-wright-20150128-story.html


"I had a basketball video game once and Dorell broke it. … I walked into the room and he was acting like he was playing the game. I thought he had fixed it. That dude always made me cry," Delon said.

:rofl:

That's awesome.

[LA Ute]

Interesting charts and number-crunching by the guys at Light the U:

http://lighttheu.com/2015/01/deeper-look-runnin-utes-3-point-shooting/

The remarkable improvement in 3-point shooting over last season is graphically displayed. Good stuff.

[DrumNFeather]

The 1/29/15 Bracketology had us as a 3 Seed (Gonzaga, Duke, Us, Iowa St).

It'll be interesting to see if we can stay on that top 4 line the rest of the season.

[sancho]

The 1/29/15 Bracketology had us as a 3 Seed (Gonzaga, Duke, Us, Iowa St).

It'll be interesting to see if we can stay on that top 4 line the rest of the season.

Fox has us down to a 4:

http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/ncaa-tournament-bracket-march-madness-projection-duke-blue-devils-kentucky-wildcats-013015

[Applejack]

Fox has us down to a 4:
J
http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/ncaa-tournament-bracket-march-madness-projection-duke-blue-devils-kentucky-wildcats-013015

Frankly, this team feels like a four seed. WE only have one quality win (Wichita) and one semi bad loss (ucla). Everything else has been as predicted. The top three seeds usually have a bunch of good wins.

We still have Arizona and the Pac tourney to change things, but right now we are a 4/5.

[concerned]

Frankly, this team feels like a four seed. WE only have one quality win (Wichita) and one semi bad loss (ucla). Everything else has been as predicted. The top three seeds usually have a bunch of good wins.

We still have Arizona and the Pac tourney to change things, but right now we are a 4/5.

the important question: which 4 seed ends up in Kentucky's bracket. I assume it is 16, not 13-15. That is what we have to avoid. (I realize this is not set in stone due to geographical considerations, etc.)

[Applejack]

the important question: which 4 seed ends up in Kentucky's bracket. I assume it is 16, not 13-15. That is what we have to avoid. (I realize this is not set in stone due to geographical considerations, etc.)

Let me save you the heartache - we will be Kentucky's 5 seed, 4 seed, or 3 seed. It is written in the stars. That's why it's so important to get a 3 seed; we potentially avoid them for one more game.