Krystkowiak looking for more from his bigs


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SALT LAKE CITY — Coming into the 2014-15 season, Utah improved its roster with several talented players to occupy the post. Freshman Jakob Poeltl, alone, brought to the roster a much-needed big with the ability to shot block, rebound, clog the lanes and force teams to shoot more perimeter shots.

The Utes have improved this year, as compared to years past, but Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak said he wants more from these players, particularly if the team hopes to compete with the elite teams in the ensuing tournaments.

“We’ve got to do a better job of protecting the rim,” he said.

Krystkowiak said the team’s goal coming into each season has always been to win the Pac-12 tournament. To accomplish that goal each season, he said the bigs have to have more of an impact on the game.

“We don’t have a chance of accomplishing our goals if our bigs don’t really step it up and bring something to the table,” he said. “We’ve been floundering a little bit.”

Utah is one of the best teams in the country defensively and has been all season. Utah ranks in the top 10 nationally in points allowed (55.8 - 7th), points allowed per possession (0.86 - tied for 3rd), opponent field goal percentage (37.4% - 5th), and opponent effective field goal percentage (37.4% - 5th). But there is one area where Utah struggles the most despite its size and depth.


We don't have a chance of accomplishing our goals if our bigs don't really step it up and bring something to the table. We've been floundering a little bit.

–Larry Krystkowiak


Rebounding.

Utah is tied for 101 in the nation and eighth in the Pac-12, averaging 32.5 rebounds per game. That number has been one of the biggest concerns for Krystkowiak all season, particularly against teams like Arizona, who have outrebounded Utah by a combined 33 rebounds in the two games this season.

Poeltl does lead the Pac-12 in rebounding rate — a percentage of opponents’ missed shots that were rebounded successfully — in conference play, pulling down 14.52 percent of all rebounds. But is ranked 151st in the nation and ninth in the Pac-12 with an average of 7.1 rebounds per game.

Utah has, however, outrebounded teams in 22 of 28 games this season. But Krystkowiak is looking for just a little more physicality and presence from Poeltl, Chris Reyes, Dallin Bachynski, Brekkott Chapman and Kyle Kuzma in the coming weeks of games. He added that the screening on offense needs to tighten up to maximize the potential on offense.

“It doesn’t matter what play you’re running, if you don’t go and set a physical screen with a sense of urgency and a sprint over there and try to get a teammate open, you can flounder, like we did a number of times Saturday night,” he said. “Forget the fancy play, let’s just get back to some of the basics.”

The increased attention on physicality and effort may be a cause for a lineup change or extended minutes for some bench players, Krystkowiak said, including Bachynski possibly seeing more time on the court with Poeltl.

“There are no little things this time of year and that’s what we’re trying to polish,” Krystkowiak said. “Let’s keep it pretty simple here and make some plays so you’re not the guy on the highlight on the blooper.”

Krystkowiak said he does have to remind himself sometimes that the team has done several things well and that it’s easy to always dwell upon how the team can improve instead of praising the successes.

“I’ve got to remind myself that we are doing some good things. It’s certainly never going to be perfect, and Saturday was far from what we needed in order to beat that top team. But we do have a good team and the guys are figuring some things out.”

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