Utah Women’s Basketball Focused On Second Round Of Pac-12 Tournament

LAS VEGAS – It’s been a banner week for the Utah women’s basketball team, but they realize the job isn’t done yet. With titles and awards behind them, the Utes are completely focused on getting through the Pac-12 Tournament.

The Utes will take on Washington State Thursday night at 7:00 pm MT after enjoying a BYE the day before as the two seed.

Head coach Lynne Roberts talked about the importance of finding balance- enjoying the victories and recognition, while also maintaining a laser-focus on getting through the conference tournament.

𝐏𝐀𝐂-12 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐒

🆚 WSU
📍 Michelob Ultra Arena
🕑 7MST
📺 Pac-12 Network
💻https://t.co/fb45lkVGdJ
🎙️https://t.co/20bxWc40tZ pic.twitter.com/8KQhocfy7e

— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 2, 2023

Lynne Roberts On Finding Balance

Luckily for the Utes, they are mostly returning the same team who made an incredible run in last year’s Pac-12 Tournament from the six-seed. That experience and knowledge has been helpful according to Roberts, despite the fact Utah is still a very young team.

“I think it will help,” Roberts said. “It’s different because last year when we came down here, we were the sixth seed and we had a pretty good chance of making the [NCAA] tournament regardless, but we knew we didn’t want to put it in the hands of any luck or fate. We knew we wanted to win as many games as we could and making it to the championship game was great.”

Almost time to handle business ⏳🔥 #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/6KkfGqyfm3

— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 1, 2023

“This year we are in the [NCAA] tournament so it’s a little different approach knowing we will make it, but I told the team today we want to make sure we are playing with the same level of intensity and desire to win,” Roberts continued. “We’re not just happy to be here. We aren’t just here going through the motions. There is an intensity, and we want to back up what we did this past weekend.”

Roberts says she isn’t too worried about her team keeping their focus with some of the excitement happening around them, noting they know how to enjoy the rewards of their hard work while still doing what they need to in order to sustain that success.

“The last three days have been fun,” Roberts said. “It’s been a lot, there has been a lot going on, but it’s all good stuff and I’m proud of our players. They have earned this and worked really hard. I want them to enjoy and be confident in the successes they’ve had, but at this point, now, we’ve got to start getting ready. We had a good practice today. They are dialed in. That’s the one thing I’ve been so impressed with this team. They know when to be silly and have fun, enjoy being a college basketball player and they know when to turn it on and be intense and competitive.”

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

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