The Runnin' Utes passing 'the eye test'

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Runnin’ Utes are still winless on the road this season after falling to No. 1 Arizona, 65-56, Sunday, but the progress they made from season's past is more encouraging. As the season moves forward, the Utes are showing they can contend with the top teams of the Pac-12.

Utah fought hard against the Wildcats and kept it close for most of the game. The Utes even jumped out to a 12-2 start, but they were bested by a top team that was efficient in second-chance points and offensive rebounds, despite relatively low shooting. Arizona had 40 total rebounds (20 each on offense and defense) that made the game difficult for Utah to manage and to remain close.

“To use a football analogy, it’s a team that runs the ball,” Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak told reporters after the game. “They grind on you and grind on you and eventually the defense gets tired of being on the field at the end of the game. There’s a lot to be said for the way they play.”

Ultimately, Arizona was able to closeout the game — something Utah has struggled with all season. In the second half, Arizona outscored Utah, 34-30, with its big push coming late in the game with a 16-4 run after Utah took a two-point lead with 11:05 left.

“Larry Krystkowiak has clearly turned the Utes into a competitive program,” tweeted ESPN’s Andy Katz. “Finishing is what’s left to do (see games vs. Oregon, WSU, ASU).”

And while it’s easy to look on the positive side and say it’s a great thing for Utah basketball to hang with the No. 1 team in the country, the Utes have to find a way to finish the game before they can take the next step from a middle-of-the-pack team in the Pac-12 to a conference threat vying for a conference championship and a berth to the NCAA Tournament.

The Utes are close to blowing the lid off the figurative ceiling. With time — and recruits — the Runnin’ Utes can be a top contender in the Pac-12 and can reclaim their national prominance. However, the path to success lies in the remainder of this season. Can Utah finish strong and show signs of progress or was the weak non-conference schedule an easy way to pad the standings?

Utah passes the eye test. Utes have already beaten UCLA and are battling Arizona in Tucson. Underrated team that's getting better.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 27, 2014

Despite losing its sixth game of the season, the team’s effort did not go unnoticed by national analysts observing the game.

“Utah passes the eye test,” tweeted out Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports analyst. “Utes have already beaten UCLA and are battling Arizona in Tucson. Underrated team that’s getting better.”

“Biggest factor of night: Arizona leads by 13 rebounds,” tweeted Greg Hansen, Arizona beat writer. “Otherwise, Utes get headlines for stunning No. 1.”

Although the Utes shot the ball well for most of the game, the offense needed to move the ball faster, especially against a top-notch defense. Transition buckets have been a great success for the Utes this season, and they were at the beginning of the game against Arizona. But after their early start, the Utes lacked the ability to score transition points and allowed Arizona’s defense to get set.

Utah has lost all of its games of the season by a combined 22 points, with the loss to Arizona being its largest deficit. While the close defeats are difficult for a budding program to take, the Utes are one win away from tying last season’s win total, which is the highest total for the program since the 2008-09 season when Utah made it to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Utah’s future starts now, and the wins have to start coming on the road, with a full, consistent game.