Utah Looking To Play More Free-Flowing Style Of Basketball
Nov 5, 2024, 11:04 PM | Updated: 11:04 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – In last night’s 100-59 season-opening win over Alcorn State, Utah provided an idea of what to expect from them this season.
Although it is only one game, and the first game of the season, there were encouraging signs.
This squad pushed the tempo, created individually and for others, and competed with great effort on the defensive end.
Final from the Huntsman Center‼️
See you all back here on November 7th! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/UuYc8DQ0Pe
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 5, 2024
Utah Plays An Entertaining Brand Of Basketball
“Felt good to start off on a good note, I love this team a lot,” senior Gabe Madsen shared. “It’s just fun, the way we play and share the ball. That’s what we’ve been emphasizing all year: just choosing to play together every night, and I think we got a little taste of that tonight.”
The connection between @MiroLittle23 and @ezraausar to get the season going‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/SalAziYQme
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 5, 2024
Madsen led the way with 27 points on 8-of-12 shooting, 6-of-10 from 3-point range. The senior looked confident looking for his opportunities, as did his twin brother Mason, who added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range.
“We are more free-flowing; I feel like we don’t have nearly the number of set plays this year that we had last year,” head coach Craig Smith stated in his post-game press conference. “We had to use a lot of sets, which I’m not a fan of, but we just felt like we had to with last year’s team.”
That one more though @MiroLittle23 🤌
Deep ball by @GabeMadsen53 ‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/ykE2DD9jIl
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 5, 2024
More Well-Rounded Basketball Players
With a near-total roster overhaul, Smith focused on bringing in more complete basketball players. The difference was felt in game one, as Utah moved the ball more effectively and organically.
“I feel like with this year’s team we had a real priority recruiting-wise—this is simple, but just more guys who are complete—guys who can shoot, pass, and make quick decisions,” Smith stated.
There is still a lot to learn about this squad, but it was fairly evident that there is a bit more playmaking ability throughout the roster.
LOOK OUT BELOW‼️@mongolshark ➡️ @ezraausar 🔨#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/6RdlSFZLyw
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 5, 2024
Miro Little led the team with 7 assists, while Mike Sharavjamts finished with 5 of them. What speaks to Smith’s point is that Utah had five players with three or more assists on the night.
“I think we’re a lot more positionless this year; we were kind of more big-oriented last year,” sophomore forward Jake Wahlin said. “I think one through four, every can handle the ball, can shoot the ball, it’s been really fun to play this way.”
That translated to 29 assists, which is impressive considering they made 32 field goal attempts. There was a good mixture of shots, with 38 attempts from 3-point range and 17 dunk or layup attempts.
Throw it DOWN KD🔨
cc: @masmadsen #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/5ILA3OiNPF
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 5, 2024
Last night’s 100-59 victory over Alcorn State was a small step in a long race this season. Still, this squad showed encouraging initial signs, and the focus is on continuing to build as they move forward.
“There’s certainly a long way to grow with this group, but I thought we really settled in,” Smith said of the effort in game one. “When you have nine new guys, it doesn’t always just happen as quick as you want it to happen. But we have a lot of selfless guys and a lot of guys that look to make the right play.”
Utah has a long way to go this season. Strides must be made as they prepare for league play in the toughest conference in the country. Still, some good initial signs for the 2024-25 campaign.
