The Utah women’s basketball team opens its season Friday night against the defending Summit League conference champion South Dakota.
Although the Utes did not have an ideal season last year, only winning nine games, they hope to start this season on the right foot, starting with the official home opener. The Utes have had success with past home openers, winning five straight season openers and seven of their last eight.
South Dakota will look to enter another season marked by a fundamentally sound defense and an up-tempo offense. South Dakota led the Summit League last year in scoring, and the Coyotes will look to carry over their success from last year. They went 9-6 away from the Dakota Dome last season.
The Utes are primed for the challenge and will look to use the game to make a statement to their competition. Emily Potter, who sat out last season because of an injury, hopes to make an impact against the Coyotes.
“We need to set the tone,” Potter said. “They have to travel to come play us at elevation — we need to set the tone now that you don’t want to come play us here.”
Potter continued to cite transition defense and rebounding as areas of emphasis against the Coyotes.
In many ways tonight’s game is a tale of two teams: one an established squad with championship experience, characterized by fundamentally sound offense and disciplined defense; the other a more raw team, led by first-year coach Lynne Roberts, who is looking to establish a culture and identity in the formidable Pac-12.
Something new Roberts hopes to implement is more three-point shot attempts. Last season, Utah was hitting at 28 percent per game from three-point range. However, since the Utes have been working towards a faster pace with more ball movement and transition scoring, she hope to increase both attempts and makes.
Roberts knows her team is going to have to be focused against the Coyotes, who play a smart game.
“They’re just very disciplined, offensively and defensively,” Roberts said. “They’re the type of team that doesn’t beat themselves. They’re extremely fundamental.”
The game starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Huntsman Center.
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