Three Takeaways From Utah’s Win Over No. 6 Kentucky

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The University of Utah men’s basketball team received a big win that will help their tournament resume as they took down No. 6 Kentucky 69-66 in Las Vegas.

The game was played at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Here is the Crimson Corner’s “three man weave” from Utah’s win over Kentucky.

Timmy Allen Making Case For Pac-12 POY

Allen has been the most consistent player on the Utah basketball team to this point in the season. He is averaging 20 points per game, which is the second highest average among Pac-12 players.

Against Kentucky, he finished with a game-high 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, while shooting 8-15 from the field and 9-12 from the free throw line and never sat on the bench, playing 40 minutes. He hit a big shot late in the game to give the Utes the lead after the game was tied at 66.

The way that Allen is playing, he is making a strong case for Pac-12 Player of the Year. It looks like he will continue his strong play once the Utes enter Pac-12 action.

Sophomores stepping up for the Runnin' Utes, accounting for all 18 points!!

Gach – 10pts
Allen – 6pts
Battin – 2pts

🔴 18 | 🔵 9#GoUtes🏀🔴 pic.twitter.com/F4FkCmRyuT

— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) December 19, 2019

Rylan Jones In One Tough Freshman

We all know about the clutch play by Rylan Jones over the first 10 games of his career and the game against Kentucky wasn’t any different. He finished with 12 points, 6 assists and 3-4 shooting from beyond the arc.

It was his first game back after missing the last game against Weber State with a rib injury that he suffered against Central Arkansas two weeks ago.

Midway through the second half against Kentucky, Jones had an open lane to the basket when he met Kentucky’s big man at the rim and Jones landed hard on his side. He took some time to get up and had to leave the game but still managed to re-enter the contest and helped seal the win for the Utes.

.@rylanjones15 with ANOTHER 👌👌!!

🔴 45 | 🔵 36#GoUtes🏀🔴 pic.twitter.com/XdMu2N87At

— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) December 19, 2019

Larry Krystkowiak Doing Great Job With Young Team

With 12 new faces and 11 true freshmen on this roster, head coach Larry Krystkowiak has done a tremendous job in teaching this team about playing at the next level and doing it with wins over quality opponents.

Utah has big wins over Minnesota, BYU and now Kentucky. Their only two hiccups in their non-conference slate came at the hands of Coastal Carolina and Tulane in the Myrtle Beach Invitational.

This game against Kentucky was Utah’s first real big test facing a top-10 team at a neutral site and while it wasn’t pretty at times, they made enough plays to get the win.

LOCKER ROOM MOOD‼️🔥💦#GoUtes🏀🔴 pic.twitter.com/GOjWqPfrs4

— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) December 19, 2019

The Utes improved their record to 9-2 on the season. They will finish non-conference play at Staples Center on Saturday against No. 20 San Diego State. The game will tip-off at 4:30 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.