VOD Not Available
This video is not available.
Utah NCAA Tournament Preview, Prediction
The Utah Utes have made it to the NCAA Tournament. Here's a preview of the team and a prediction of how they'll do during March Madness.
March 10, 2016
The Utah Utes have made it to the NCAA Tournament. Here’s a preview of the team and a prediction of how they’ll do during March Madness.
Resume
Team: Utah Utes
Record: 26-8
Conference: Pac-12
Head coach: Larry Krystkowiak
How they got here: At-large bid
The Good
Utah plays with a lot of confidence, and why shouldn’t it? This is a team that has beaten the likes of Arizona, Duke and Oregon, and the Utes’ simply offense hums. Jakob Poeltl is one of the best big men in the college game, and when he sets up shop on the low block, you might as well put the points on the board. He gets support from Kyle Kuzma, a 6-9 bookend who takes pressure off his teammates, and this is a team that can shoot the ball.
The Bad
Utah is strong in the starting lineup, but its bench can be a little inconsistent. Also, the team’s shaky free-throw shooting can be an issue late in close ones. The Utes really rely on Poeltl to be a hub, and if he runs into foul trouble Utah can sometimes take some time to adjust.
Prediction
The presence of Poeltl in the lane makes Utah a threat vs. just about anyone, but the Utes are missing the kind of dominant guard who can provide a rudder when Utah gets in foul trouble. This team won’t be an easy out, but it can run into trouble against teams that are more athletic.
