The Runnin’ Utes are looking to get back-to-back wins in Pac-12 play for the first time this season starting when they host the Oregon Ducks Thursday night in the Huntsman Center.
Since the team was on the road for its opening three games, the players are happy to be back home and eager to play in front of their own fans. Although the Utes will have the crowd’s support for the first time in a while, head coach Larry Krystkowiak does not think home-court advantage is that big a factor this year.
“It’s important, but there’s no magic in playing at home in our league,” Krystkowiak said. “There’s a lot of teams beating up on each other, and you got to bring your ‘A’ game each and every night, regardless of the enthusiasm.”
This week in practice, Krystkowiak has been making sure his team is working on transition defense in preparation for an Oregon team that he thinks is at its best when it’s running up and down the court at a pace the Ducks want.
“Our key in the next few days is to figure out what makes them tick,” Krystkowiak said. “It’s been a long time since we beat Oregon. They’ve got great balance with their team and they’re truly one of the teams that comes in here that isn’t slowed up by the altitude or the home court advantage.”
The team is also focusing on how to stop Oregon’s Chris Boucher, who has recorded 53 blocks so far this season. Utah will need Jakob Poeltl to get back on track after a subpar performance in Boulder.
Poeltl scored six points against Colorado last Friday night, all in the second half. Krystkowiak is sure this poor performance will motivate Poeltl to do better. Aside from his offensive struggles, however, he had a nice defensive game against the Buffs. When the game came down to the wire, he was able to protect the basket for the Utes, which he will surely need to do again on Thursday night.
As for Lorenzo Bonam, he’ll be going into this game with a higher level of confidence after scoring 17 points against the Buffs, including the game-winning shot.
“I’m one of the only drivers on the team, and I’m a good playmaker,” Bonam said.
Krystkowiak has noticed the entire team step up their efforts on the defensive end of the court in practice, and although they have plenty more to work on, he is positive his team will get to where he wants them to be.
“Our defense has much improved, and we got to continue to do that,” Krystkowiak said. “We need some improvements in some offensive areas and be a little crisper.”
As the team is working hard to get another win, the Utes have completely pushed past the two losses against Stanford and Cal during last weekend’s road trip.
Utah is taking it one game at a time and cannot dwell on any mistakes that happened in those two games. The players and coaches are looking at what they can fix in future games rather than dwelling on the past.
“It’s about a survival mode for ourselves and figuring out the next opponent,” Krystkowiak said. “Everybody needs to survive their own 18 games.”
Looking at the conference as a whole, this year is up for grabs, and everyone has a shot at the title, according to Krystkowiak. He also believes that a lot of things will be decided in the Pac-12 Tournament at the end of the season, but his team is going to have to do its best to get a decent placing.
“We’re all probably going to look Sunday night or Monday morning, whenever it is, who it is we’re going to play in the tournament,” Krystkowiak said. “I really do think it can be that kind of year where it’s a little bit of pounding each other.”
Thursday night’s contest is sure to not only be one of those games that can determine future seeding, but also a game where players on both sides give it their all. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. MST.
@kbrenneisen