It was nice to see Utah get a win in their final home game of the season after having such a rough year. The Utes knocked off a Stanford team that has won 19 games this year.
I remember when I was watching Utah get pounded by Boise State at the start of the season, analyst Joe Cravens remarked that when he used to coach against Larry Krystkowiak in the Big Sky that Krystkowiak's teams always seemed to be getting better. Cravens also said that there was no doubt in his mind that Krystkowiak was the right guy for the job at Utah.
I remember having my doubts at the time because the Runnin' Utes looked really bad that night in Boise. However, I will say that despite the lack of talent on this year's team, Utah has gotten better throughout the season. Also, they have been playing hard the last several games despite the numerous losses.
It seems that the future is probably bright for the Utes under Larry Krystkowiak. I'm excited for next season and for the end of this season. Utah is at Oregon State tomorrow night at 8 p.m. MT.
Showing posts with label Larry Krystkowiak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Larry Krystkowiak. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Runnin' Utes update
The Utah Runnin' Utes got swept by the Oregon schools this weekend. The Runnin' Utes hung with Oregon and actually had led by 8 and still had the lead with 6 minutes to go, but it appeared the Utes just ran out of steam. The Ducks looked much deeper and were able to keep pressure applied to Utah, who was going with a short rotation.
Today against Oregon State, the Beavers jumped out to a double digit lead in the first half. It looked like the Utes weren't playing with enough defensive intensity and were certainly hurt by starters Kareem Storey and Dijon Farr being in foul trouble and having to sit out much of the half. The Utes were able to play with the Beavers in the second half, but just got into too big of a hole.
I think Utah could still win a couple more games this year, but they will have to play hard for 40 minutes and stay out of foul trouble. I've heard coach Larry Krystkowiak has a solid recruiting class coming in and that couple with a few key cogs returning should help the Utes be deeper and more competitive next year. Unfortunately, it's been a painful rebuilding season for Utah. The Runnin' Utes visit Arizona State next Thursday night and Arizona next Saturday.
Today against Oregon State, the Beavers jumped out to a double digit lead in the first half. It looked like the Utes weren't playing with enough defensive intensity and were certainly hurt by starters Kareem Storey and Dijon Farr being in foul trouble and having to sit out much of the half. The Utes were able to play with the Beavers in the second half, but just got into too big of a hole.
I think Utah could still win a couple more games this year, but they will have to play hard for 40 minutes and stay out of foul trouble. I've heard coach Larry Krystkowiak has a solid recruiting class coming in and that couple with a few key cogs returning should help the Utes be deeper and more competitive next year. Unfortunately, it's been a painful rebuilding season for Utah. The Runnin' Utes visit Arizona State next Thursday night and Arizona next Saturday.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Jiggy Watkins dismissed from Runnin' Utes
Utah point guard Jiggy Watkins has been dismissed from the team. Watkins was clearly Utah's best player throughout the season on what is a struggling team. I don't imagine things will get much better for the Runnin' Utes the rest of the year. However, without knowing all the facts, it appears to speak highly of coach Larry Krystkowiak that he would be willing to stand up to his best player even when he has to know it could mean substantially more struggles the rest of the year.
It appears that Watkins repeatedly broke team rules. It's important for any coach to establish discipline on his team. I'm hoping the Utes do make some strides the rest of this year and have a better season next year. Utah (4-13, 1-4 Pac-12) hosts Arizona (12-6, 3-2 Pac-12) tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. MT. The game is not available on TV in Salt Lake City, although it will be televised on Fox Sports Arizona.
It appears that Watkins repeatedly broke team rules. It's important for any coach to establish discipline on his team. I'm hoping the Utes do make some strides the rest of this year and have a better season next year. Utah (4-13, 1-4 Pac-12) hosts Arizona (12-6, 3-2 Pac-12) tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. MT. The game is not available on TV in Salt Lake City, although it will be televised on Fox Sports Arizona.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Jiggy Watkins suspended
Pictured: Jiggy Watkins, who has been suspended by Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak.Utah (1-6) guard Jiggy Watkins has been suspended for a violation of team rules. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Watkins was late to practice on Monday and that his breaking of team rules had become a recurring problem. Watkins was leading the Runnin' Utes with 17.7 points per game and 4.9 assists per game.
It was already looking like a long season for Utah, but now that the Runnin' Utes have lost far and away their best player for an indefinite amount of time, well it could be even worse that what I was bracing for, if that is even possible. Watkins provided a lot for the team, especially on the offensive end of the floor. He was the only player who had been a consistent force throughout the season.
On the other hand, players have to keep team rules. I don't know too many of the details, but if we are to believe what he said at his coaches' show tonight, coach Larry Krystkowiak didn't have much of a choice. It's too bad. I understand that discipline and rules are among the most important things in sports and in life for that matter. So, hopefully Watkins can straighten things out and return to the court this season. We all know that the Utes need him.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Runnin' Utes blown out by Boise State
Utah (1-1) lost tonight at Boise State (2-0) by a score of 80-59. This win comes on the heels of the Runnin' Utes topping San Diego Christian College, an NAIA school, on Monday night by a score of 58-55.
I have not been impressed at all with the Utes so far this year. Honestly, they don't look like they know what they're doing out there. I know it's early, but this year's Utah team looks like the least talented Utes team I have ever seen -- not a good thing when entering the first year in the Pac-12. The team looks like it's playing pretty hard out there, they just don't look like they have a lot of talent.
Jiggy Watkins led the Utes with 19 points. Watkins so far has looked like by far the best Utah player. However, he can't do everything by himself. I expect more production from center Jason Washburn, who had 5 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes tonight. Sometimes I feel like Washburn just needs to play smarter. He's got talent, but he needs to keep his head in the game.
Look, I'm sure Utah will play better as the season goes on and the team gets more time to mesh and gel. So, we'll see if I'm overreacting. Maybe Boise State will turn out to be a better team than I'm expecting, but I still see tonight as an embarrassing loss. Larry Krystkowiak hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his first two games as head coach, but I'm willing to give him some time. I don't think the talent is all that great this year, as I alluded to. I think this team will get better, but this looks to have all the makings of a long year.
The Runnin' Utes host Montana State (1-1) on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. There is no television for the game, but you can watch a live stream of the game via utahutes.com
I have not been impressed at all with the Utes so far this year. Honestly, they don't look like they know what they're doing out there. I know it's early, but this year's Utah team looks like the least talented Utes team I have ever seen -- not a good thing when entering the first year in the Pac-12. The team looks like it's playing pretty hard out there, they just don't look like they have a lot of talent.
Jiggy Watkins led the Utes with 19 points. Watkins so far has looked like by far the best Utah player. However, he can't do everything by himself. I expect more production from center Jason Washburn, who had 5 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes tonight. Sometimes I feel like Washburn just needs to play smarter. He's got talent, but he needs to keep his head in the game.
Look, I'm sure Utah will play better as the season goes on and the team gets more time to mesh and gel. So, we'll see if I'm overreacting. Maybe Boise State will turn out to be a better team than I'm expecting, but I still see tonight as an embarrassing loss. Larry Krystkowiak hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his first two games as head coach, but I'm willing to give him some time. I don't think the talent is all that great this year, as I alluded to. I think this team will get better, but this looks to have all the makings of a long year.
The Runnin' Utes host Montana State (1-1) on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. There is no television for the game, but you can watch a live stream of the game via utahutes.com
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Runnin' Utes drop exhibition to DII Adams State
The Utah Runnin' Utes (0-0) basketball team lost an exhibition game to Division II school Adams State (0-0) 61-60 last night at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. Freshman Kareem Story called a time-out that the Runnin' Utes didn't have with about 11 seconds left in a tie game and Adams State cashed in on one of the two resulting technical free throws. It leaves me with a sickening feeling to lose to a Division II school. On the bright side of things, the game was just an exhibition and therefore does not count against the team's record.
It makes me feel a little better that Butler, West Virginia and Arizona also lost exhibition games at home to similar type schools this preseason. However, it just isn't good form to lose to a DII school, even in a game that doesn't count. But, I'm going to try not to read too much into it for now. Coach Larry Krystkowiak said after the game that the phantom time-out was on the coaches; it sounded like it hadn't been discussed by the team. That shouldn't happen, the coaches should make sure the team knows there are no more time-outs, though the players should know this, too.
Utah opens up the regular season on Monday, November 14th against San Diego Christian College (0-0), an NAIA school. Adams State actually takes on Utah State (0-0) in Logan at 4 p.m. MT today in another exhibition game.
It makes me feel a little better that Butler, West Virginia and Arizona also lost exhibition games at home to similar type schools this preseason. However, it just isn't good form to lose to a DII school, even in a game that doesn't count. But, I'm going to try not to read too much into it for now. Coach Larry Krystkowiak said after the game that the phantom time-out was on the coaches; it sounded like it hadn't been discussed by the team. That shouldn't happen, the coaches should make sure the team knows there are no more time-outs, though the players should know this, too.
Utah opens up the regular season on Monday, November 14th against San Diego Christian College (0-0), an NAIA school. Adams State actually takes on Utah State (0-0) in Logan at 4 p.m. MT today in another exhibition game.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
