The Utah basketball program discovered a troublesome lesson in its first-ever Massive 12 recreation. Profitable — particularly on the highway — will not be going to return straightforward on this convention.
“It is actually laborious to win on the highway. It is simply actually laborious,” Utah coach Craig Smith mentioned following the Utes’ 81-56 loss at No. 25 Baylor on New Yr’s Eve. “You have to play superb, tough-minded basketball, and we weren’t ok.”
Utah’s starters might want to rebound from their tough begin if the Utes (8-4, 0-1 Massive 12) hope to bounce again on Saturday once they host Texas Tech (9-3, 0-1).
The Utes’ main scorer, Gabe Madsen, who was averaging 18.8 factors, was restricted to 3 factors on 1-of-7 taking pictures Tuesday. Starters Ezra Ausar (1-for-8 taking pictures) and Lawson Lovering (just one shot) additionally had simply three factors every, whereas Miro Little went scoreless after lacking all 9 of his field-goal makes an attempt.
Mason Madsen, Gabe’s twin, hit 4 of 12 photographs for 10 factors and was solely one in every of two Utes in double figures. Reserve Hunter Erickson topped the group with 13 factors.
Utah can have its arms full in opposition to equally motivated Texas Tech, which stumbled to an 87-83 defeat at residence in opposition to UCF on Tuesday. That was an eye-opener for the Pink Raiders, who’re specializing in shoring up their protection.
“To start out Massive 12 play with this lack of physicality defensively and to let a group come into our place and rating 87 factors, it is ridiculous,” coach Grant McCasland mentioned.
“I instructed our group there’s loads of enchancment we are able to make. I really like our group. I believe our group identifies with the very fact we are able to play good offense and we are able to rating, however, man, do we’ve got loads of rising as much as do and expertise that is wanted to return in a short time to ensure that us to be a group that is a respectable contender on this league,” he added.
McCasland favored that his group rallied after trailing by 18 factors with 10 minutes left. Falling behind massive has been a pattern in Texas Tech’s three losses, so he hopes to rectify that starting with the upcoming two-game highway journey in Utah, which additionally features a matchup in opposition to BYU on Tuesday.
–Area Stage Media
