Luke Neville has looked unstoppable in the Runnin’ Utes last three wins over UC Irvine, Gonzaga and Wyoming. It was no different in Tuesday’s game against the LSU Tigers.
With NBA scouts in the house, Neville put up an impressive team-high 23 points, his sixth 20 plus point game this season and second in a row.
“LSU is a good school and this was a big game for both school and I just competed like it was any other night,” Neville said.
Early in the first half Neville scored six unanswered points with a dunk and some hook shots, giving the Utes the confidence boost they needed.
After a season high 29-point game against Wyoming last week Neville and the rest of the Utah team expected to see a double-team from LSU early in game, when the double-team didn’t come Neville took control of the post and scored 17 points in 18 minutes in the first half.
“I’m used to getting double-teamed and getting played two-on-one but no one came, there was no help so I just kept going to work,” he said.
Neville, who leads the team in scoring with 18 points per game and blocks with 8.4 per game, was also big in other areas against LSU as he pulled down six boards, blocked three shots and dished out two assists. It’s efforts like that, that have won him two straight Mountain West Conference Player of the Week awards.
Neville has been a key factor in Utah’s four game winning streak, as he has led the Utes in scoring three of the last four games and has contributed 33 rebounds in the four games.
In addition to scoring big for Utah, Neville also opens up a lot of shots by drawing defenders and opening up shots for other players.
“Luke, for a scorer and a big guy, is a very willing passer and that’s caring for each other, playing for each and wanting other guys to look good and for me that’s what it’s all about,” said head coach Jim Boylen.
Although Neville has been a big factor in Utah’s offensive success thus far this season, when he is having an off night the team finds other ways to win.
“The system that we have if they take Luke away we are going to use him in a different way,” Boylen said. “If they take away this you do this, my guys have bought into and they do it.”
Neville will be looking to continue his hot-streak as the Utes take their winning streak on the road to take on San Diego State and Air Force next week.