Estimated read time: 10-11 minutes
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It was not Utah's night as Gonzaga took a dominant halftime lead and added to it by beating the Utes by 23 to advance to the Sweet 16. Gonzaga finished the night shooting 56 percent from the field and 47 percent from behind the arc in the dominant win. Gonzaga had four players in double figures: McClellon (22), Domantas Sabonis (19), Kyle Wiltjer (17) and Josh Perkins (10).
Utah finished the night shooting 42 percent from the field, with Kyle Kuzma and Lorenzo Bonam leading the way with 15 points and 12 points, respectively.
Utah looked outmatched and couldn't contain the hot-handed Zags. It's an unfortunate end to the season for Utah, but the team accomplished a lot in the year. Utah ended the season with a 27-9 record.
It could be much better for Utah after that first half of basketball. The best thing that happened for Utah was a hot-handed start for Kyle Kuzma and one of his blocks.
Kyle Kuzma's like...#goutes#SwatLakeCitypic.twitter.com/kcCIT7RQ0h — Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) March 20, 2016
But beyond that, it's been all Gonzaga from the beginning. The Zags are 67 percent from behind the arc and have three players in double figures, including Domantas Sabonis and Kyle Wiltjer.
Utah has turned the ball over nine times and have given up 15 points as a result, which is the exact deficit of the game. Seems to be a common thread this season.
Jakob Poeltl played 9 minutes that half, only scoring 5 points and grabbing 2 rebounds. The seniors are a combined 1-of-6 from the field.
Larry Krystkowiak has the @Runnin_Utes playing their best ball in March. And they're having fun while doing it. https://t.co/tm7RzBHeGg — March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) March 19, 2016
According to Las Vegas, the Utes are a 1.5-point underdog to the lower seeded Gonzaga in tonight's matchup. The winner of this game should have a decent shot of at least making it to the Elite 8 with Michigan State out of the picture.
> It's GAMEDAY!! > > 🏀Utah vs. Gonzaga > ⏰6:40pm MT > 📺TNT orOnce again, it wasn’t a pretty half for the Utes, but they managed to pull away for the 80-69 victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Utah’s lead of 15 points was erased with about just over 9 minutes left to play to give the Bulldogs a 1-point lead. Utah, though, remained composed and went on a 19-2 run.
Jakob Poeltl finished the game with 16 points and 18 rebounds, which is his career best in rebounds. Utah had four players in double figures: Lorenzo Bonam (17), Poeltl (16), Brandon Taylor (16), and Jordan Loveridge (16).
THE BIG MAN JAKOB WITH THE DUNK!!! 😱 #GoUtes#BeatFresnoSt#Utes 44, Dogs 33 | 13:20 | 2H pic.twitter.com/9fkit0cLY3 — Utah Basketball (@Runnin_Utes) March 18, 2016
> [@Runnin\_Utes](https://twitter.com/Runnin_Utes) have won a NCAA game in back-to-back seasons. Let’s not overlook what a significant turnaround by K & accomplishment that is. > > — J.B. Long (@JB\_Long) [March 18, 2016](https://twitter.com/JB_Long/status/710651299558068227)
Utah will play the winner of the Seton Hall-Gonzaga game Saturday night.
Utah is easily the more dominant team in its matchup against Fresno State. Jordan Loveridge started the game out with a couple of quick 3-pointers to give Utah the early hot hand and lead.
J-Love hot from downtown! #goutes#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/Kx0DVHjbXH — Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) March 18, 2016
But the turnovers bug reared its head again on sloppy, careless play that came in bunches. Utah finished the half with 10 turnovers. The Bulldogs scored 8 points off of Utah’s turnovers.
Although the turnovers are keeping Utah from blowing the game wide open, the Utes are out-rebounding the Bulldogs 26-8. Jakob Poeltl, alone, has 10 rebounds. Lorenzo Bonam currently leads the team with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.
Utah is 22-1 when leading at halftime and looks to be headed toward another win should they keep the turnovers down. However, Fresno State has won eight games this season when trailing at halftime.
The arena was empty for much of the first half because fans weren’t able to get in the building.
With 8:00 left in first half, hundreds (thousands?) still stranded outside @Pepsi_Center. Paid ticketholders, @ncaa. pic.twitter.com/nNm5qmF5jr — Mile High Brendan (@MileHighBrendan) March 18, 2016
Although stats don't tell the full story of a game, they serve as a resource to explain how a team was successful in winning or losing a game. The following are some stats that could be a strong indicator of how either team could do today.
Fresno State:
- Ranked 5th nationally in turnover margin (+4.3)
- Ranked 16th nationally in steals (8.2 avg.)
- Have won eight games when trailing at halftime this season
- 6-0 in games decided by single possession (3 points or less)
- 2-5 all-time in NCAA Tournament (one vacated in 2000) — wins in 2001 (Cal, 82-70), 1982 (West Virginia, 50-46)
Utah:
- Ranked 9th nationally in field goal percentage (48.9 percent)
- 10-0 when allowing 64 points or less
- 22-2 when outrebounding opponent
- 22-2 when recording more assists than opponent
- 22-1 when leading at halftime
- 19-2 when three or more players score 10+, 15-0 when four or more players score 10+
- 6-2 all-time record as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament
- 37-31 all-time in NCAA Tournament (2-1 last season)
Utah arrived at the Pepsi Center Wednesday to address the media and to get in a short practice before a handful of fans in attendance.
LIVE on #Periscope: A little @Runnin_Utes practice ahead of the NCAA Tournament. https://t.co/EV8NY6okMJ — Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) March 16, 2016
Utah didn’t, obviously, divulge any of its game plan in practice, but worked on various shooting and passing drills. Larry Krystkowiak even got in some push-ups mid-court to get the juices flowing.
Larry Krystkowiak getting some push-ups in at mid-court. pic.twitter.com/HzQVpEx2lo — Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) March 16, 2016
The players said they hope to take the experience of last year’s tournament and come into this year with more maturity and an understanding of what is expected.
“I think just having the experience, you know, of getting to the Sweet 16 last year, I think we got a taste of what it’s like to survive and advance, no matter what it might be,” Brandon Taylor said.
“I think last year’s experience can definitely help us out as a team, like knowing how playing basketball in the tournament feels, knowing how the whole process works,” Jakob Poeltl added.
