After last season surprising run to the Pac-12 semifinals there was optimisim in the air as Utah mens basketball coaches and players met with media Wednesday. This Utah squad will be different in at least one way then the 2012-13 Utes, this team plans to run and run a lot.
“We have talked a lot about running, everyone wants to run,” head coach Larry Krystkowiak said. “Fans want to see, coaches like to be a part of it, players want to be a part of it. But not every body wants to commit to the conditioning it takes. I’m really confident that we are going to be able to pick up the tempo offensively and defensively because of their commitment(to conditioning.)”
Krystkowiak spoke about how each player on the roster was able to complete a 20 and 20 test, a series of 20 line drills in 20 minutes. It is the first time the long time coach has had every member of his team complete the test.
“We’ve been conditioning like crazy,” sophomore guard Brandon Taylor said. “We’re in this high altitude, so lets make it to our advantage. Every team that comes into this gym our thought process and our mentality is we’re going to run you of this gym, we’re going to run and run and run.”
In the first two years under Krystkowiak the Utes have had a slow paced, set structure offense and have mainly relied on their defense to keep them in games. With the personnel this season the coach is willing to give the players more freedom on the offensive end and allow them to make plays.
“When you allow the players more freedom… the million dollar question is going to be if they are going to be able to handle that freedom and make plays without turning the ball over,” Krystkowiak said. “I don’t want to be a coach that is calling a play every a time. I think your going to see some guys make plays and hopefully I can sit on the bench more often and let them make plays.”
The players echoes their coaches thoughts.
“This year we have a lot of people that can make plays for us,” sophomore guard/forward Dakari Tucker said. “We’re going to be able to run a lot.”
Utah is only returning two starters from last years team but players and coaches all feel this team is deeper then the one that made the Pac-12 tournament semifinals last season.
“We have a lot more talent,” sophomore forward Jordan Loveridge said. “We’re a lot deeper this year, so of course I feel like we need to win more games.”
The Utes finished the Pac-12 regular season in 10th place with a 5-13 conference record before their unexpected tournament run.
The team officially opens practice friday, six weeks before their first game, but the players have been working out together since they got back to school.
“The chemistry and the relationship with this team is unbelievable.” Taylor said. “We are of one accord, we are all dedicated and we are looking to do some big things. We know we have the rebuilding process done and now its time to jump out and really attack.”
Utah opens up their season with an exhibition match against Saint Martins Nov. 1st in the Huntsman Center.