Three Takeaways From Runnin’ Utes Road Win Over Wolfpack

RENO, Nev. – The University of Utah men’s basketball passed their first hurdle with a 79-74 win on the road over Nevada.

The 12 new faces had to overcome a hostile environment in Reno, Nevada, where the Wolfpack had an 18-game home winning streak that the Utes snapped.

Here is the Crimson Corner’s “three-man-weave” from the win on Tuesday night.

.@UtahMBB trailed by 2 in Reno when Both Gach and Timmy Allen led a 13-2 run and the Runnin' Utes end Nevada's 18-game home win streak. #utes #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/30wAbi1HsK

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) November 6, 2019

Utah Needs Gach, Allen To Be Consistent

With so many new faces on the team, Larry Krystkowiak and the Utes will rely heavily on returning starters Timmy Allen and Both Gach. The duo combined for 45 points in the win over Nevada, Allen had 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Gach chipped in 22 points.

They were the backbone of Utah’s critical 13-2 run that put them ahead for good after trailing by two points with seven minutes left when the run started. Allen was very physical and was patient with his looks. He shot 8-of-16 from the field, but will need to improve his free-throw shooting, finishing 7-for-14 from the charity stripe in 38 minutes.

Gach was very attack-minded, while mixing in some perimeter shots. The sophomore went 8-for-15 from the field, 3-of-8 from downtown and 3-for-5 from the foul line in 30 minutes of play.

Utah will go as Allen and Gach go for the most part. The young players will need to learn on the fly and pick things up quickly to help the duo when Pac-12 play begins.

Rylan Jones Did His Part

The light wasn’t too bright for Rylan Jones in his college debut. He did a great job of running the offense and getting his teammates involved. Jones recorded 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, while shooting 2-of-8 from the field and 1-of-7 from deep. The two-time “Mr. Basketball” ran into foul trouble in the second half and was forced to sit until late in the game.

His defense stood out, closing out on perimeter shooters, taking charges and getting into the paint to fight for rebounds. Jones is that throwback point guard that has gone away from college basketball as he is a pass-first point guard and is the floor general.

Eight-Man Rotation Revealed

Before the season, coach Krystkowiak said that he wanted to have a rotation that was eight players deep. The five players that started the game included Allen, Gach, Battin, Jones and freshman Branden Carlson. Rather than playing eight players, Krystkowiak turned to four players off the bench. Freshmen Mikael Jantunen, Jaxson Brenchley and Lahat Thioune had good moments throughout the game off the bench, along with junior college transfer Alfonso Plummer.

Jantunen had 1 point and 6 rebounds, Plummer recorded 4 points, Thioune added 1 point, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Brenchley had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.

The Utes will be back at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Friday against Mississippi Valley State. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.

The Crimson Corner podcast is the one-stop for all things University of Utah Athletics hosted by Utah insider Trevor Allen. Ute fans will find interviews with current players, coaches and staff alongside expert analysis of every game, story and angle coming out of the University of Utah.

You can download and listen to the podcast, here.