University of
Utah (18)
by Jeff Feyerer
Projected Starters
G
6-2
PT%
29.71
G
PTE
1.3
5-10
PT%
75.43
F
PT%
52.50
PT%
39.21
F
7-0
PT%
56.57
HS100 AC/AA
2-AC
Jordan Loveridge
PTE
13.74
6-7
HS100 AC/AA
Brandon Taylor
PTE
24.31
6-6
F
Isaiah Wright
HS100 AC/AA
98
Chris Reyes
PTE
6.74
HS100 AC/AA
PTE
20.39
HS100 AC/AA
Jakob Poeltl
SO
NBA
SR
NBA
SR
NBA
JR
NBA
SO
NBA
10
Bench Rotation
G-F
6-5
PT%
44.79
F
PTE
11.34
6-8
PT%
37.50
F
G
HS100 AC/AA
Brekkott Chapman
PTE
9.77
6-9
PT%
18.00
Dakarai Tucker
HS100 AC/AA
57
Kyle Kuzma
PTE
4.51
HS100 AC/AA
6-6 Kenneth Ogbe
PT%
20.57
PTE
3.30
HS100 AC/AA
SR
NBA
SO
NBA
SO
NBA
JR
NBA
The year before Larry
Krystowiak’s arrival to Utah in
2011, the Utes finished 13-18
and 6-10 in the Mountain West
Conference. They had only one
NCAA Tournament appearance
in six seasons, an unfamiliar trend
for Utah fans accustomed to the
success sustained from 1994-2005,
when they missed the tournament
only once, reached the Sweet 16
four times, and had one National
Title game appearance.
Not only was Krystowiak
tasked with rebuilding Utah’s fine
tradition, he was being asked to
do it as the team transitioned to a
“power” conference in the Pac-12.
In Krystowiak’s four years at
the helm, the Utes have increased
their winning percentage each
season, culminating in last
year’s fifth seed in the NCAA
Tournament. The Utes are back,
and though they lose their best
player, Toronto Raptors first round
pick Delon Wright, the cupboard
is far from bare—returning six
players who saw at least 35 percent
of the team’s minutes.
A big reason for optimism
in Salt Lake City is the return of
sophomore center Jakob Poeltl.
After putting together a promising,
if uneven, season—where he
displayed impressive athleticism
for a player his size, soft hands, and
tough defense—it appeared Poeltl
would be a sure-fire first round
NBA draft pick.
Though astute observers of Pac12 basketball were already familiar
with Poeltl’s developing skills,
his first foray into the national
spotlight came in Utah’s matchup
with eventual National Champion
Duke in the Sweet 16. Poeltl held
First-Team All-American and ACC
Player of the Year Jahlil Okafor to
six points, his lowest output of the
season, keeping the eventual lottery
pick completely off the offensive
glass.
Despite the passed over
guaranteed money, it was a smart
decision for Poeltl; and a joyous
one for the Utes. For all of his
physical tools, the areas he’s
lacking—footwork, conditioning
(played 30 minutes in only four of
33 games), and strength—are better
served being worked on in the
college environment.
BBALLBREAKDOWN | 38