With the University of Utah women’s basketball team continuing to go through the growing pains of a young team, the 2020-21 season continues to dredge on. While their record is not glamorous, it is not time for the Ute faithful to hit the panic button just yet. Taking a more analytical look at what has transpired over the first series of games of the season, there are many things to cheer about. Let’s look at the good, the bad and the ugly of this season’s women’s team.

Brynna Maxwell has Arrived

The sophomore guard coming out of Gig Harbor High School seems to be emerging as a prime scorer for this team. In the victory over Washington earlier this month, Maxwell dropped 24 points on 50% shooting both from the floor and behind the arc. This is only Maxwell’s second highest-scoring game of the season, the first being against Oregon State, where she dropped an impressive 34. Even on the nights when the ball can’t seem to find the bottom of the basket, Maxwell has shown to be a leader and a good team player. At only a sophomore, fans should be excited. With another year of experience under her belt, Maxwell can blossom into this team’s true leader and help to elevate them in the near future. 

The Veterans are Doing their Jobs

Utah is comparatively a young team. With an official roster of 14, eight of the Utes players are underclassmen. With the lack of experience, head coach Lynne Roberts has been looking towards her precious few upperclassmen to teach the younger players the ropes. In an interview before Utah’s matchup with Arizona, coach Roberts talked about juniors Andrea Torres and Dru Gylten, who have proven to be great leaders on the floor and at practice. 

“Today, I felt Andre and Dru set the tone. They were in the huddle and said we need to change things now, and they backed it up. It’s easy to say that when you’re in a circle and another to say it when you’re practicing. They have the experience and maturity. They are our leaders for sure,” Roberts said. 

Torres and Gylten not only have the intangibles but are also critical pieces for the Utes on the floor. Gylten can get hot from range, while Torres is known for having a smooth drive and finish at the basket. While they serve as mentors for the young team, they are just as valuable on game days. 

Don’t Freak Out. It’s the Pac-12

As with any sport, one wants to see their team win and make a run for the championship. While the Utes’ record may not scream “championship contender” at this point, one must remember that Utah is facing more than an uphill battle. The women’s Pac-12 teams are loaded with talent. A quick search on the NCAA website shows that in every single poll, there are at least three Pac-12 teams in the top 25. While Utah can attract talent, especially from overseas, the fact of the matter is that perennial powerhouses such as Oregon and Stanford will always draw the most prominent names first. Due to this, Utah will almost always be the underdog. However, this is not always a bad thing. This constant need to contend in one of the most competitive conferences will only make Utah stronger. And while being forged in fire will make the Utes stronger, a certain level of patience is required. Their conference record isn’t excellent, it does not reflect the actual level of talent the Utes have. 

Where’s the Defense?

While many of Utah’s struggles can be forgiven due to their young age and high octane opponents, they can not be completely absolved. As this season has progressed, Utah has lacked on defense. A glance at the spread of their games shows that the Utes have been allowing their opponents to put up big numbers. Even if the Utes are playing well on offense, their lack of defense has been burying them. However, the numbers seem to indicate that Utah is beginning to buckle down. Towards the latter part of their five-game homestand, Utah’s loss mar2gin continued to shrink until they were able to swing the point spread in their favor. While progress has been made, Utah needs to continue to focus on its defense or continue to struggle. 

It’s Still Early

While the Utes do need to show a sense of urgency, the reality is that the season is still young. Utah will have plenty of opportunities to prove they are better than what they have shown. With the crucible of the Pac-12 still looming in front of them, Utah has the chance to pick up a few quality wins and prove they are a strong Pac-12 opponent.

As coach Roberts stated, “Don’t judge us in December, judge us in March.” 

[email protected]

@CPadilla67