Will Utah Win a (real) Game?

It’s been six seasons since Larry Krystkowiak last coached an NCAA men’s basketball team. That year his Montana Grizzlies won 24 games and fell just short of the Sweet 16. Now he’s leading the Runnin’ Utes into the Pac-12 and he might not win a single game. Sure, Utah opened the season with a 3-point win over San Diego Christian, but they are an NAIA school. If you want to claim that Utah fans, knock yourselves out. Since then it’s been seven consecutive losses punctuated by Wednesday’s 29-point loss to Cal State Fullertson, a team who’s signature win is Louisiana Lafayette.

The bad season began at the end of last year when star Will Clyburn left the program (ending up at Iowa State). Then, in an exhibition to Division II Adams State (which Utah lost) 7’3 center David Foster broke his foot and will be out until mid-January at least. Then on Monday, Josh Watkins – who used more of his team’s possessions than any other player in the nation – was suspended indefinately for conduct detrimental to the team. So where does this leave them?

The worst Division I team (according to kenpom.com) they’ve played is #252 Montana to which they lost by six. They’ve played four teams ranked between 120-200 and lost those by an average of 24 points. The two teams better than 100 have beaten them by an average of 25. Of the 22 games left on the roster, 13 are against teams currently in the top-100. Eight are against teams in the next 100. And then there’s Idaho State.

The Idaho State Bengals are a bad team. Currently, Pomeroy has them at 301. The statistical categories in which they rank worse than 250th include eFG%, turnovers, 2pt shooting and blocks on offense. On defense add eFG%, OR%, 3pt%, blocks and steals. Their lone Division I win is over North Dakota. In short, if the Utes don’t want their only win to be a squeaker against an NAIA team, then Idaho State needs to be circled on the calendar. The showdown comes on December 16th, and it’s in the friendly confines of the Jon Huntsman Center. I’m guessing tickets are still available.

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