Assertiveness Is The Key For Mike Sharavjamts, Utah Basketball

SALT LAKE CITY – In last night’s 96-65 over the Queens Royals, Craig Smith and the Runnin’ Utes fans got a better idea of what Mike Sharavjamts is capable of.

There have been encouraging signs through three games. Utah’s taken care of business with 41, 35, and 31-point victories.

Last night’s game had a different feel and flow but provided more indications of the team’s capabilities.

Mike Sharavjamts continues to impress as he leads Utah to a 96-65 win over the Queens Royals. #GoUtes https://t.co/Uv7lKjXXrP

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 13, 2024

After simply overpowering the first two opponents with their shooting, Utah had to grind it out for most of the game. Queens had athleticism, size, and shooting the previous two opponents did not, which required more attention to detail on Utah’s part.

That was, of course, until Utah finally started to knock down shots more consistently midway through the second half.

Mike Sharavjamts’ assertiveness is an X-factor for Utah Basketball

Sharavjamts has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his two-year collegiate career. Those moments have been accompanied by unremarkable stretches as well.

That is not unique to Sharavjamts, seemingly every collegiate athlete experiences that. It seems assertiveness will be key to him taking that next step as player and Tuesday night’s performance showcased what that can look like when he is.

Hoop and Harm from the arc, @mongolshark connects‼️🎯 pic.twitter.com/9G866qvIJR

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 13, 2024

“It’s funny you said that word because that was the word I always used with him this summer and fall,” Craig Smith said of Sharavjamts assertiveness against Queens. “Every day, when we were stretching or doing warmups, I’d just walk up to him and say, ‘Be assertive,’ which was always the word with him.”

Sharavjamts contributed to 19 of Utah’s 41 first-half points through 11 of his own and 8 more by way of his 3 assists. He’s showcased good vision and feel for teammates and impressive passing ability.

oof… the ankle breaker and “shooting practice” for @mongolshark 🔎 pic.twitter.com/JGEGXeanlX

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 13, 2024

“You know, the other night he had a really good game as well but he was 3-of-10 from the field and we don’t even worry about it,” Smith said. “He can really get it going and tonight he was 8-of-11, but more than that, he just rarely makes a wrong play.”

His assertiveness against Queens led to a new career high of 19 points. He also finished with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal.

Make that a new CAREER-HIGH for @mongolshark with this triple‼️🎯

19 and counting💪#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/XFHpxvKqlM

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 13, 2024

Utah Getting Dunks, Layups, and 3-pointers

Continuing the “Math Ball” theme highlighted after Utah’s last win over Central Arkansas, the Runnin’ Utes have emphasized getting 3-point shots, layups, and dunks to increase their effective field goal percentage. Utah finished the game 14-of-30 from 3-point range, 8-of-22 on layups (shots around the rim), and 4-of-4 on dunks.

From the top rope, @ezraausar with 2 slams, feed from @mongolshark, and FLYING in for the put-back‼️🔨#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/9EBGzPuBoA

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 13, 2024

“We have cerebral guys and we have guys that can really shoot it,” Smith said. “So, the ability to play off of your shot, to drive off closeouts, drive and kick it, the ability to look below the defense that can lead to a dunk or layup. We did a way better job of that in the second half.”

Utah’s ability to hit shots from deep at a high rate has done a lot for their offense. It’s created space and lanes for guys to get into the paint, which creates more opportunities to shoot it outside.

Finding the open man, @mongolshark with the dime to @masmadsen in the corner‼️🎯#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/F9DJJYQHyC

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 13, 2024

“All three teams we’ve played all play different types of defenses, and that’s been good for us,” Smith stated. “We always tell our guys, it doesn’t matter what teams do, you just gotta be players; if they’re going to do this, then we’re going to counter with that. It’s what great teams do and I feel we’ve done a good job of that.”

There were back-to-back possessions that highlighted that point.

Goodness that’s deadly, @GabeMadsen53 😮‍💨#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/DPWS3PHHqa

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 13, 2024

The first possession (above), Gabe has the ball on the right wing. Keanu Dawes runs by him and his defender sticks with him. That led to Gabe taking a dribble and then knocking down a three.

On the second possession (below), Dawes’s defender came to double Gabe. That led him to make a pass to Dawes at the top, who then proceeded to drive the lane and throw down an emphatic dunk.

LOOK OUT BELOW‼️

May we introduce, Keanu Dawes🔨#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/gei1oYKQDk

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) November 13, 2024

On the season, Utah is 37-of-58 on shots within 4.5 feet of the rim and 52-of-118 from 3-point range. As impactful as it can be to hoist and knockdown shots from deep, Utah getting and converting shots at the rim is just as important. They did a much better job of getting those shots against Queen but need to be better converting them.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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