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SALT LAKE CITY - Each week, ksl.com's Robert Jackson asks Jimmy Soto three questions about the state of the University of Utah basketball program.
Last week, the Utes went on the road to take on two of the top teams in the Pac-12. Utah fought hard, but eventually lost to Stanford 68-65, then got taken to the woodshed in Berkeley, losing to Cal 81-45.
Against the Golden Bears, the Utes shot just 50% from the free throw line and 27% from the three point line. What can the Utes do to "get the ball to go in the hoop"?
Let's ask Jimmy.
1. Last week, the Utes took on two of the top teams in the league, losing a close game at Stanford before getting throttled by Cal in Berkeley. As a former player, which is easier to bounce back from - a close loss, or being completely run out of the gym? What words of encouragement would you like to give this current team?
As a former player both situations are easy to bounce back from. As a competitor you are ready to get back out again after a close loss because you feel like you let one get away and look forward to getting the next one. In a blowout loss the opposite it true - you want to prove that you can perform at a higher level and want to get out as soon as possible to prove it. In the current situation it seems it would be easy for our guys to start pointing fingers and having doubts. I would encourage them to stay together, work together and play together.
2. Offensively, the Utes are struggling from the free throw and the 3-point lines, shooting just 64% from the charity stripe and 28% from beyond the arc. What advice would you give to a struggling shooter?
It can be difficult when you get into a shooting slump. There are nights when you feel like you're shooting it well but nothing goes in and if it continues it can start to hurt your confidence. You can take more shots, which I know they are, but nothing can compensate for a lack of confidence. Our guys need to continue shooting the ball and believe that it's going in every time it goes up, and when it doesn't, take the next one as if it is. Taking high quality shots will also help!
3. Utah returns home this week to play Arizona and Arizona State at the Huntsman Center. What player matchups are you looking forward to keeping an eye on during those games?
I think more than any player matchups this week I am more excited to see our team come back home to play at The Huntsman Center. We had a three game stretch where we were pretty solid, maybe it didn't show in the win column, but I'm interested to see how our guys bounce back after the tough road swing.
The Utes (4-13) are back in action Thursday night to host Arizona in Pac-12 play. The Utes will be without guard Josh "Jiggy" Watkins, who has been dismissed from the Utah Utes basketball team for his second violation of team rules.
If you have questions you would like to ask Jimmy, email Robert at rojackson@ksl.com.
| **Robert Jackson:** | *Email: | *Twitter: [@rojackKSL](http://twitter.com/#!/rojackKSL)* |
