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SALT LAKE CITY — After back-to-back seasons where Utah was picked to finish near last in the Pac-12 preseason media poll, the Runnin' Utes are projected to improve for the 2023-24 season.
Utah was picked to finish seventh in the preseason Pac-12 media poll, signifying an improved roster in Craig Smith's third season with the Utes. It's a roster that Smith believes is deeper and better as a collective team with the addition of several transfer players.
"We've definitely upgraded our shooting. ... I think we have more depth and more weapons on the offensive end where even if things kind of break down, or whatever, we just have more guys that can make a play," Smith said on the team's first official practice of the season.
"I think you'll see we just look a lot different this year, in every way, shape and form than we did the last two years, and I think that's a real positive."
Though Utah has improved in the preseason projected standings, the Pac-12 remains a top-loaded conference with several teams in contention for an NCAA Tournament berth.
At the top of the preseason poll is two-time reigning champion Arizona with 18 of the 26 possible first-place votes. The Wildcats are in head coach Tommy Lloyd's third season.
USC, which ranks second in the preseason poll, received four first-place votes, as did third-ranked UCLA. No other team in the Pac-12 received any first-place votes. Behind the Bruins is Oregon, Colorado, Arizona State, Utah, Stanford, Washington, Washington State, California and Oregon State.
