Takeaways: Runnin’ Utes Defend Their Way To 31-Point Win Over Utah Tech
Nov 22, 2024, 6:53 PM | Updated: Nov 25, 2024, 3:17 pm
SALT LAKE CITY—Craig Smith’s Runnin’ Utes program improved to 4-1 on the season after an 84-53 victory over Utah Tech.
Although this wasn’t the best offensive performance, Utah played a very tough defensive game and won comfortably in the end.
Utah had four players in double-figures, and nine players scored at least four points.
Final from the Huntsman!
Thank you to all the fans who came out this Friday afternoon, we will see you again on Tuesday! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/kGkP6pBqq6
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 23, 2024
RELATED: Runnin’ Utes Work To 84-53 Win Over Utah Tech
Here are some takeaways from the game.
Turning Defense To Offense
Coach Smith has talked about wanting to be a strong defensive team and putting the ‘run’ back into Runnin’ Utes. Today wasn’t Utah’s best offensive showing, but they undeniably defended and got out in transition.
The Utes limited the Trailblazers to 30% shooting overall and 30% from 3-point range. They forced 15 turnovers and allowed just 8 Utah Tech assists.
They had nine ‘kills’ (three consecutive defensive stops) throughout the game today, which largely allowed them to build their lead.
The defensive success led to 18 fastbreak points and 18 points off turnovers. Those are both solid numbers, and Utah also missed a handful of scoring opportunities in transition.
Turning defense into offense has been Utah’s consistent theme through five games. This dynamic is proving to be very important to their success.
Just Couldn’t Get Into That Final Gear Offensively
This was a weird game. Outside of a brief 11-10 lead for Utah Tech, the Utes controlled the game from beginning to end.
Utah has overpowered similar opponents offensively but had to play a different brand of ball today and still finished with a 31-point advantage.
Utah was stingy defensively. They effectively contested shots and made scoring easy buckets difficult for the Trailblazers.
Offensively, they were just good enough. They put together several mini-runs but never had that big, dominant run.
Utah’s inefficient shooting played a big role in that. The Utes would get a couple of buckets but couldn’t string together more than a handful at a time.
The Utes finished this game 8-of-29 (29.6%) from 3-point range and 32-of-66 (48.5%) from the field overall. They also turned it over 13 times and just didn’t play a clean game.
It’s an encouraging sign that this team could build a 30-point advantage despite not enjoying their best offensive outing. However, it is also a little worrisome that they did not play better against a lesser opponent.
Utah’s Sophomore Trio
The Utes have three sophomores who are playing a significant role on the squad: Miro Little, Jake Wahlin, and Keanu Dawes.
Little is the starting point guard, Wahlin is a versatile glue-guy type of forward, and Dawes has been a steady source of impact off the bench.
Today wasn’t the cleanest of games, but these three have been fairly consistent this season in terms of production and impact.
- Little finished with 4 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, a block, and a steal.
- Wahlin had 5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a block, and a steal.
- Dawes led the trio with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block.
Coming into the season, these three were viewed as X-factors at varying degrees. So far, these three have produced fairly consistently through five games.
Utah will obviously lean on its veterans, but the more production from these three sophomores, the better for this season and beyond.
Man was all over the floor! Tonight's player of the game, @keanu_28‼️ pic.twitter.com/YyYWexnezl
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 23, 2024
Utah Bigs Getting Close To Return
In his post-game press conference, Craig Smith provided an update on the two bigs that have been absent this season.
Starting center Lawson Lovering was close to returning tonight. However, rest is still the preferred option for him but he is getting close to a return.
As for Zach Keller, Craig Smith provided an update on his Monday Coaches Show that he’d be out until mid-December. However, Keller has apparently had a good week of progress and could be back well before that.
On Utah's bigs- Lawson Lovering and Zach Keller, both are trending positively. After stating Keller wouldn't be back until mid-December on Monday, Keller could be back by the end of the month, he's made big progress this week. Lovering is getting close as well.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 23, 2024
Next Up For Utah
Utah basketball welcomes a pair of teams the following week as part of the Mountain to Sea Showcase.
First up inside the Huntsman Center will be Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, Nov. 26, beginning at 7 p.m. (MST).
Eastern Washington returns to SLC for the second-straight year on Saturday, Nov. 30, for a 3 p.m. (MST) tip-off.
Both games will air on ESPN+ with Drew Goodman and former Utah assistant coach Joe Cravens on the call.
Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.
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