effective field goal percentage and
true shooting percentage, but also
finished eighth in assist percentage,
signaling he may be ready to take
on more responsibilities as point
guard. Next to him, the Utes are
counting on promising 6-foot-2
sophomore Isaiah Wright to ease
some of the playmaking duties.
Senior forwards Jordan
Loveridge and Dakarai Tucker will
be counted on to up their scoring
averages from 10 and 7.2 points
per game, respectively. Both are
good shooters, making at least 40
3-pointers last season, and have
the versatility to contribute all over
the court. Sophomore Brekkott
Chapman is Krystowiak’s top
recruit during his tenure and could
have a breakout year. If Chapman,
isn’t able to take on more
responsibilities, last year’s starting
power forward Chris Reyes will be
ready to step in. Though not nearly
as skilled as Chapman, Reyes gets
by with grit and hustle, doing a lot
of the dirty work for the Utes.
His averages of 9.1 PPG, 6.8
RPG, and 1.9 BPG don’t jump out
at you, but his advanced stats are
impressive. According to KenPom.
com, Poeltl finished 11th in the
nation in offensive rebounding
percentage and 51st in block
percentage. And if he’s able to
increase his usage without greatly
diminishing his 68.3 shooting,
Poeltl will secure a better draft
standing.
“Utah has come a
long way in
four short
seasons.”
Utah has come a long way
in four short seasons. From new
Pac-12 member at the bottom of
the league hierarchy, to rubbing
elbows with big dogs like Arizona
and UCLA, the Utes are primed
for continued success. Their
best player may be gone, but
a deep roster, led by a coach
gaining much deserved national
recognition, should keep the
Utes in the running for a league
title and another NCAA
Tournament berth.
On the perimeter, 5-foot-10
senior guard Brandon Taylor may
have the size of a point guard, but
his best skill is his outside shot. Last
season, Taylor was the Utah leader
in 3-pointers made, shooting 43.6
percent from long range. During
conference pl