2012-13 Hoops Year in Review

[SoCalPat]

High moment: The four-game winning streak prior to the Oregon loss that ended our season. This gives us momentum to build on for next season. That's the long-term view. Wins against Boise State and Colorado came when we honored Majerus and were significant as well, with both coming against NCAA Tournament teams.

Low moment: No debate over this one -- the 32-point home loss to Stanford. Where to begin? That it tied last year's loss to Cal State Fullerton as the worst in home history? That it brought up memories of last year's unit? If this year's team was more talented than last year's, then what does it say about Larry? Fortunately, we were able to beat Colorado in our next game, and most of our games after that did a lot to prove that this game was a fluke.

Biggest surprise: Brandon Taylor. You could make a case for him being team MVP. Which also begs the question, what took so long for Larry to hand him starter's minutes? He was a DNP-CD against Cal State Sacramento, BYU and UCLA -- three losses by a combined 10 points. He got 3 minutes vs. Cal State-Northridge, 4 minutes in the SMU road loss and a total of 14 in the league-opening roadie at ASU and 'Zona. I feel safe in saying if he was even a double-digit minute guy at this point in the season that we get at least four more wins.

Starting with the WSU roadie, Taylor was a dependable fixture in the lineup. He never played fewer than 26 minutes, scored in double figures nine times (as opposed to once prior to that) and had four or more assists four times (he had five assists TOTAL prior to the WSU game). He does not get to the line a lot and seems reluctant to attack the basket (more than half of his shots came from 3). But we could be far worse off at the position, and if Taylor's our starter next year, we're in good hands. We'll be even better if we can have some size in the backcourt to help cover up the shortcomings his size presents.

Biggest disappointment: For as much improvement as the team made, there are a lot of candidates to fill this dubious role. Aaron Dotson's injury prevented him from showing off his form. Glen Dean was an all-Big Sky player who got beaten out by a true 15 games and one redshirt season into his career at Utah. Dallin Bachynski went from starter's minutes to end of the bench at the sight of his first mediocre D-1 competition. Those two guys had some high moments. What about Renan Lenz? On a team that lacked rebounding and interior size, Lenz couldn't find a consistent role past benchwarmer. That his most productive game (eight points, eight rebounds) came in the Stanford loss says a lot, as well as his zero FTAs in that game and 9 total.

Given his JUCO competition and that he excelled at that level, it wasn't unreasonable to expect 7 PPG and 3 RPG out of Lenz, with hope he could be a 10 and 5 guy as a senior. He'll only hit those averages on a per-month basis. As it was, much like Dean, he was beaten out in midseason by a true (Olsen) with nowhere near the experience heading into this season.

Best wins (RPI): Colorado (38), Oregon (42), Boise State (44), Cal (53), Washington (88). ASU was also 89th.

Worst losses (RPI): Sacramento State (283), Cal-State Northridge (239), SMU-A (219), Washington State (189), Oregon State (180). We're in the postseason if not for the three losses to sub-200 RPI teams. Going forward, it's inexcusable to lose to such dreck, especially at home.

Offseason wish list: A glass-eating 4 or shot-blocking 5 to transfer into the program. Two non-conference games scheduled vs. power conference schools. Taylor developing a sense of fearlessness in attacking the basket.

Collateral damage: I would be surprised if we didn't see at least one forced departure and one willing departure this offseason. In fact, I would consider it a great sign that Larry is rounding out into a recruiter if we do. It should not be difficult to find a better 4 out there than Lenz -- the catch is convincing that player to come to SLC. It's also not difficult to see the writing on the wall with regard to minutes at the 2-3. Justin Seymour might not wait around to see if Dotson is cleared for a medical redshirt. He can quickly transfer back home to a smaller-profile program and be an immediate impact player after his redshirt year.

Looking ahead: Again, the four straight wins showed how far we've come and what we can become. The Oregon loss showed we're far from being a threat for an at-large bid into the NCAAs, much less being a top 4 team in this league. But for the first time under Larry, I truly believe we're not that far from being better than average -- dare I say good? At the same time, if we don't get the sizable leap next year in W-L, there had better be some studs on the shoreline (Brekkot Chapman? Another Rivals 150 kid) that had better be available for the big jump in Year 4.

[U-Ute]

I can agree with most of this. I could possibly quibble with a couple of points, but it is purely subjective.

High Moment: Can't argue with that.

Worst loss: I'd say the Northridge game. The size of the collapse coupled with the competition makes that pretty bad.

Biggest surprise: I agree. I wrote Taylor of after a couple of appearances in the pre-season. He wasn't ready. Give himself credit for working hard and making himself ready.

Biggest disappointment: If we're counting injuries as disappointments, I'd have to say Foster over Dotson. He's the shot blocking 5 you want. Outside of injuries, the disappearance act of Dean in conference play was my biggest disappointment.

I agree with the rest.

U-Ute

[LA Ute]

Good review, SCP. FWIW, people who watched early practices say Taylor looked a little lost an that it took some time for the "light" to come on. If so, that would explain the delay in getting him into the starting lineup.

[concerned]

At this point, even if Dotson gets a medical redshirt, I don't see much reason to keep him over Seymour as a sophomore who can give u three more years. You would think Dotson would have to be substantially better, and if Wright is going to get most of those minutes anyway, probably makes more sense to keep Seymour for potential backup at least for several years, esp. after Van Dyke leaves.

Anybody have any idea what potential 5's or glass-eating 4's are out there that we are pursuing?

[SoCalPat]

Good review, SCP. FWIW, people who watched early practices say Taylor looked a little lost an that it took some time for the "light" to come on. If so, that would explain the delay in getting him into the starting lineup.

A legitimate explanation, but let's not forget Larry's short history with PGs here at Utah: He dismissed Jiggy, showed very quickly that he didn't have the confidence in Storey going forward and immediately reduced Dean's role after the USC game. If there's a position in which Larry has shown to have a quick trigger, it's at the PG spot. Point is, if Dean does as expected, we might not know about Taylor's ability.

[SeattleUte]

Good anaysis. Washburn was second biggest surprise of the year. Give coaches credit for that. In retrospect, yes, too bad Taylor didn't start vs. BYU etc. Just imagine, we had Dean not Tayor as our PG in those games. As for Taylor's willingness to attack the basket, maybe that will come with time. Presumably he will get a lot better. Andre Miller had his stats as a freshman. We win with four and five year guys, not so much four and five stars. Also, Taylor could add another ten pounds of the right kind of weight.

[Rocker Ute]

A legitimate explanation, but let's not forget Larry's short history with PGs here at Utah: He dismissed Jiggy, showed very quickly that he didn't have the confidence in Storey going forward and immediately reduced Dean's role after the USC game. If there's a position in which Larry has shown to have a quick trigger, it's at the PG spot. Point is, if Dean does as expected, we might not know about Taylor's ability.

The story of Jiggy was hardly one of a quick trigger. In fact, it is one of extreme patience until Jiggy finally backed himself into a corner.

[Mormon Red Death]

Good anaysis. Washburn was second biggest surprise of the year. Give coaches credit for that. In retrospect, yes, too bad Taylor didn't start vs. BYU etc. Just imagine, we had Dean not Tayor as our PG in those games. As for Taylor's willingness to attack the basket, maybe that will come with time. Presumably he will get a lot better. Andre Miller had his stats as a freshman. We win with four and five year guys, not so much four and five stars. Also, Taylor could add another ten pounds of the right kind of weight.

How about if we had Taylor shooting at the end UCLA and Arizona games.

[SoCalPat]

At this point, even if Dotson gets a medical redshirt, I don't see much reason to keep him over Seymour as a sophomore who can give u three more years. You would think Dotson would have to be substantially better, and if Wright is going to get most of those minutes anyway, probably makes more sense to keep Seymour for potential backup at least for several years, esp. after Van Dyke leaves.

Anybody have any idea what potential 5's or glass-eating 4's are out there that we are pursuing?

The problem is, it's not just Dotson. It's Wright, Fields, Tucker and Van Dyke. Seymour isn't going take minutes at the 1 from Taylor and he's definitely too small to get solid minutes at the 3. He also didn't come along as quickly as the coaching staff thought. Carrying five-tweener backcourt types isn't a luxury a 15-win team can afford.

[SoCalPat]

The story of Jiggy was hardly one of a quick trigger. In fact, it is one of extreme patience until Jiggy finally backed himself into a corner.

My point is, you had better be toeing the line if you're a PG under Larry.

[U-Ute]

My point is, you had better be toeing the line if you're a PG under Larry.

With it being, arguably, the most important position on the floor, I can understand Larry's position on this.

[SoCalPat]

With it being, arguably, the most important position on the floor, I can understand Larry's position on this.

Exactly. It certainly wasn't my point to make this an argument about whether Larry should or shouldn't have gotten rid of him. It was only made with the entire picture in mind -- he won't tolerate any on- or off-court shenanigans from whomever is manning the position.

[U-Ute]

Exactly. It certainly wasn't my point to make this an argument about whether Larry should or shouldn't have gotten rid of him. It was only made with the entire picture in mind -- he won't tolerate any on- or off-court shenanigans from whomever is manning the position.

Agreed.

[Two Utes]

High moment: The four-game winning streak prior to the Oregon loss that ended our season. This gives us momentum to build on for next season. That's the long-term view. Wins against Boise State and Colorado came when we honored Majerus and were significant as well, with both coming against NCAA Tournament teams.

Low moment: No debate over this one -- the 32-point home loss to Stanford. Where to begin? That it tied last year's loss to Cal State Fullerton as the worst in home history? That it brought up memories of last year's unit? If this year's team was more talented than last year's, then what does it say about Larry? Fortunately, we were able to beat Colorado in our next game, and most of our games after that did a lot to prove that this game was a fluke.

Biggest surprise: Brandon Taylor. You could make a case for him being team MVP. Which also begs the question, what took so long for Larry to hand him starter's minutes? He was a DNP-CD against Cal State Sacramento, BYU and UCLA -- three losses by a combined 10 points. He got 3 minutes vs. Cal State-Northridge, 4 minutes in the SMU road loss and a total of 14 in the league-opening roadie at ASU and 'Zona. I feel safe in saying if he was even a double-digit minute guy at this point in the season that we get at least four more wins.

Starting with the WSU roadie, Taylor was a dependable fixture in the lineup. He never played fewer than 26 minutes, scored in double figures nine times (as opposed to once prior to that) and had four or more assists four times (he had five assists TOTAL prior to the WSU game). He does not get to the line a lot and seems reluctant to attack the basket (more than half of his shots came from 3). But we could be far worse off at the position, and if Taylor's our starter next year, we're in good hands. We'll be even better if we can have some size in the backcourt to help cover up the shortcomings his size presents.

Biggest disappointment: For as much improvement as the team made, there are a lot of candidates to fill this dubious role. Aaron Dotson's injury prevented him from showing off his form. Glen Dean was an all-Big Sky player who got beaten out by a true 15 games and one redshirt season into his career at Utah. Dallin Bachynski went from starter's minutes to end of the bench at the sight of his first mediocre D-1 competition. Those two guys had some high moments. What about Renan Lenz? On a team that lacked rebounding and interior size, Lenz couldn't find a consistent role past benchwarmer. That his most productive game (eight points, eight rebounds) came in the Stanford loss says a lot, as well as his zero FTAs in that game and 9 total.

Given his JUCO competition and that he excelled at that level, it wasn't unreasonable to expect 7 PPG and 3 RPG out of Lenz, with hope he could be a 10 and 5 guy as a senior. He'll only hit those averages on a per-month basis. As it was, much like Dean, he was beaten out in midseason by a true (Olsen) with nowhere near the experience heading into this season.

Best wins (RPI): Colorado (38), Oregon (42), Boise State (44), Cal (53), Washington (88). ASU was also 89th.

Worst losses (RPI): Sacramento State (283), Cal-State Northridge (239), SMU-A (219), Washington State (189), Oregon State (180). We're in the postseason if not for the three losses to sub-200 RPI teams. Going forward, it's inexcusable to lose to such dreck, especially at home.

Offseason wish list: A glass-eating 4 or shot-blocking 5 to transfer into the program. Two non-conference games scheduled vs. power conference schools. Taylor developing a sense of fearlessness in attacking the basket.

Collateral damage: I would be surprised if we didn't see at least one forced departure and one willing departure this offseason. In fact, I would consider it a great sign that Larry is rounding out into a recruiter if we do. It should not be difficult to find a better 4 out there than Lenz -- the catch is convincing that player to come to SLC. It's also not difficult to see the writing on the wall with regard to minutes at the 2-3. Justin Seymour might not wait around to see if Dotson is cleared for a medical redshirt. He can quickly transfer back home to a smaller-profile program and be an immediate impact player after his redshirt year.

Looking ahead: Again, the four straight wins showed how far we've come and what we can become. The Oregon loss showed we're far from being a threat for an at-large bid into the NCAAs, much less being a top 4 team in this league. But for the first time under Larry, I truly believe we're not that far from being better than average -- dare I say good? At the same time, if we don't get the sizable leap next year in W-L, there had better be some studs on the shoreline (Brekkot Chapman? Another Rivals 150 kid) that had better be available for the big jump in Year 4.

Pretty good analysis. My only beef is you tend to be overly critical of players. I have been on other websites and the fans tend to be less critical of their players. Players and family read these websites.

As an example while Lenz didn't have a particularly great season, you have already placed a ceiling on him and strongly suggest he should go. I think that is way too harsh.

[SoCalPat]

Agree. One of the forgotten plays in the Cal game was Taylor's and-one. We were down 8 and hadn't scored in forever. He attacked on the fast break, finished, and drew the foul to make it a 5 point game. Big moment.

Something to add to the wish list: we figure out a solution to the long scoring droughts.

I would love to land a rebounding specialist. I think Lenz should be asked to leave, and I hope that Seymour stays.

You want a solution to the long scoring droughts? Get to the line more often. While Utah led the P-12 in FT percentage, we only had four more makes than the worst team in the league in ASU, which shot just 63 percent to Utah's 76, but made 409 FTs to Utah's 413. And all told, Utah was tied for last in FTAs with USC.

FTs aren't sexy, but is a very solid indicator of offensive strength. In Larry's first year, we didn't have a single player get over 100 FTAs (EDIT: In fact, it was the first time in at least 60 years that Utah did not have a single player shoot over 100 FTAs for a season). This year, we had two (Dubois and Loveridge). Our last tournament team had only one, but it was a 200-plus FTA guy in Nevill, and we had four guys at 80-plus, with three of them being reliable 3-point shooters. Our last Sweet 16 team had FOUR players with over 100 FTAs, including a 200-plus player in Bogut. That Utah team had more FT makes (550) than this year's team had total attempts (547).

And all that stat geek stuff doesn't even touch on what fouls do to the opposing team. It gets good players to sit out and puts more marginal players on the floor.

[SoCalPat]

Pretty good analysis. My only beef is you tend to be overly critical of players. I have been on other websites and the fans tend to be less critical of their players. Players and family read these websites.

As an example while Lenz didn't have a particularly great season, you have already placed a ceiling on him and strongly suggest he should go. I think that is way too harsh.

They shouldn't be. Just like coaches have the wisdom to keep practices closed, so should parents and athletes in not being on message boards. They're the realm of the fans, and I'm not going to paint a picture that isn't there to protect their feelings.

[concerned]

The problem is, it's not just Dotson. It's Wright, Fields, Tucker and Van Dyke. Seymour isn't going take minutes at the 1 from Taylor and he's definitely too small to get solid minutes at the 3. He also didn't come along as quickly as the coaching staff thought. Carrying five-tweener backcourt types isn't a luxury a 15-win team can afford.

then there probably isn't any reason to keep Dotson or Seymour next year. Maybe pt would open up for Seymour the following year, maybe not. But there cant be much reason to give pt to a 5th year senior over all the others you identify unless he is much better than he showed this year.

[Two Utes]

They shouldn't be. Just like coaches have the wisdom to keep practices closed, so should parents and athletes in not being on message boards. They're the realm of the fans, and I'm not going to paint a picture that isn't there to protect their feelings.

Here's my take on Lenz. I think he does have a nice offensive game. I think he struggled on the defensive end and that is where he lost minutes. Plus he was backing up Loveridge and it was very difficult to keep Loveridge on the bench. He was just too valuable of a player.

[SoCalPat]

Here's my take on Lenz. I think he does have a nice offensive game. I think he struggled on the defensive end and that is where he lost minutes. Plus he was backing up Loveridge and it was very difficult to keep Loveridge on the bench. He was just too valuable of a player.

I can buy that. Where Lenz was a disappointment in my eyes falls in line with what I expect out of JUCO players. Not all of them can be Brandon Jessie. I was hoping Lenz could be close to a Jay Watkins type, with not nearly the rebound strength, but could stretch the floor better from the perimeter. Not really close, and you can't have non-productive JUCOs coming into your program.

[SoCalPat]

Andre Miller had his stats as a freshman.

Miller: 8.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, 53% FG, 69% FT

Taylor: 6.9 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 43% FG, 72% FT

Draw your own conclusions ...

Going back to the importance of FTs, Andre went to the line 113 times as a frosh. Taylor just 43. I like Taylor's game from 15 feet out. Andre was pretty damn good from 15 feet in from Day 1, and worked hard to develop an outside threat, going from 19 3PA as a freshman to 83 as a senior (side note -- Dre was barely passable as 3-point shooter). The flip side to Taylor is that he doesn't need to be like Allen Iverson in getting his shot off -- he just needs to find ways to get to the line. It will be much easier for him to develop that part of his game than it was for Andre to become a marksman from the perimeter.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Miller: 8.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, 53% FG, 69% FT

Taylor: 6.9 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 43% FG, 72% FT

Draw your own conclusions ...

Going back to the importance of FTs, Andre went to the line 113 times as a frosh. Taylor just 43. I like Taylor's game from 15 feet out. Andre was pretty damn good from 15 feet in from Day 1, and worked hard to develop an outside threat, going from 19 3PA as a freshman to 83 as a senior (side note -- Dre was barely passable as 3-point shooter). The flip side to Taylor is that he doesn't need to be like Allen Iverson in getting his shot off -- he just needs to find ways to get to the line. It will be much easier for him to develop that part of his game than it was for Andre to become a marksman from the perimeter.

I know they don't compile stats this way, but i wonder what Taylor looks like if you pull the dnp's from the preseason out of his denominator.

[SoCalPat]

I know they don't compile stats this way, but i wonder what Taylor looks like if you pull the dnp's from the preseason out of his denominator.

The DNP's don't factor into his stats. The games in which he played less than 5 minutes do, and there are several of them. Taylor is the rare freshman where his conference-only stats are a more fair comparison than his season stats. (EDIT: Taylor averaged 7.95 PPG in conference play, definitely favorable to Andre's PPG as a true.)

[SeattleUte]

It's highly unlikely Taylor will have a basketball career comparable to Miller's. Who does? My point is that he can get a lot better, including his penetration game. Still, I wonder if Miller played against competition comparable to what Tayor generated those 7.95 ppg against.

[LA Ute]

I recall the freshman Andre's motor. He would simply run away from defenders on breakaways because of his raw speed and acceleration. We haven't seen that from Taylor. I still think he's more like Jimmy Soto than Andre. It is no slam to be considered a potential Soto, with career numbers like this:

20th, career scoring
10th, assists
5th, 3-point FG made, attempted, and percentage
7th, steals
7th, FT percentage
6th, assists

http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/061200aac.html

[concerned]

I recall the freshman Andre's motor. He would simply run away from defenders on breakaways because of his raw speed and acceleration. We haven't seen that from Taylor. I still think he's more like Jimmy Soto than Andre. It is no slam to be considered a potential Soto, with career numbers like this:

20th, career scoring
10th, assists
5th, 3-point FG made, attempted, and percentage
7th, steals
7th, FT percentage
6th, assists

http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/061200aac.html

or more like Marrc Jackson (hopefully). We forget how big and broad shouldered Andre is; he gets to the rim because he plays like a linebacker, not because he was lightening fast. Who was the pg from Canada he played behind for a large chuck of his freshman year?

[Scratch]

or more like Marrc Jackson. We forget how big and broad shouldered Andre is; he gets to the rim because he plays like a linebacker, not because he was lightening fast. Who was the pg from Canada he played behind for a large chuck of his freshman year?

Jordie McTavish.

[U-Ute]

Jordie McTavish.

No. He was behind Terry Preston.

Yeah, I can remember that, but forget to stop on my way home to get the milk. I'm so proud.

[concerned]

Jordie McTavish.

the Glen Dean of his time.

[Jarid in Cedar]

or more like Marrc Jackson. We forget how big and broad shouldered Andre is; he gets to the rim because he plays like a linebacker, not because he was lightening fast. Who was the pg from Canada he played behind for a large chuck of his freshman year?

Terry Preston. If Preston didn't leave before the '96-97 season. He would have backed up miller. And when Miller broke his hand against Kentucky, we would have had senior playing against Turner instead of a freshman (Jordie). The two possessions following Andre's injury sealed that game.

[SeattleUte]

McTavish backed up Miller in 1997-98. Here was the 1995-96 roster:

http://www.totalbasketballstats.com/Team_College.asp?id=209&Season=1995-96

[U-Ute]

I recall the freshman Andre's motor. He would simply run away from defenders on breakaways because of his raw speed and acceleration. We haven't seen that from Taylor. I still think he's more like Jimmy Soto than Andre.

As the season went on, this was the comparison I was going to myself.

I certainly hope his career mirrors Soto's. That would not suck.

[concerned]

Terry Preston. If Preston didn't leave before the '96-97 season. He would have backed up miller. And when Miller broke his hand against Kentucky, we would have had senior playing against Turner instead of a freshman (Jordie). The two possessions following Andre's injury sealed that game.

yep, you're right. I guess that era had two Glen Deans.

[U-Ute]

yep, you're right. I guess that era had two Glen Deans.

I think Preston ended up going to law school and marrying a gymnast. So, if I'm Dean, that isn't necessarily a horrible way to go. :)

In a related note, what is with the long history of the basketball team and the gymnastics team? It always struck me as kind of odd that the shortest girls on campus would go for the tallest guys. There must be something with that "opposites attract" thing.

[Scratch]

Thanks for the correction. Man, how many back-up Canadian point guards did we need?

[SeattleUte]

Thanks for the correction. Man, how many back-up Canadian point guards did we need?

The Majerus years make sweet memories. But people forget that there wasn't much margin for error. It took a while to develop Miller, and Doleac. There was a big drop off when the reserves came in. We had to luck out with Miller being as good as he was, and so forth. Majerus had to scrape and claw for recruits, and even then coach them way up. He went through a lot of turnover, but when he got guys who would be his core they stuck and got a lot better. If Tayor, Loveridge, Tucker, and Olsen stay, this staff will be doing it Majerus style.

[LA Ute]

Here's the video of Krysko's presser this morning:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvjJDZJ5AJc&feature=player_embedded

[LA Ute]

Yes, he played big. He also played smart. Did he ever make the wrong decision on a break? You felt sure at the end of any close game that he would make things happen.

Some guys just have an amazing basketball IQ.

[Two Utes]

Thanks for the correction. Man, how many back-up Canadian point guards did we need?

I think Terry Preston was from Wisconsin. Leave it to me to remember completely random BS.

[LA Ute]

I think Terry Preston was from Wisconsin. Leave it to me to remember completely random BS.

He was. He had a short stint as the director of the Crimson Club too.

[U-Ute]

I think Terry Preston was from Wisconsin. Leave it to me to remember completely random BS.

Most Americans probably think Wisconsin is part of Canada.

[LA Ute]

Here's a long (15+ minutes) Bill Riley interview with Krysko (http://espn.kall700sports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Larry-Krystkowiak-3-20-13.mp3), reflecting on the season.

[OrangeUte]

Here's a long (15+ minutes) Bill Riley interview with Krysko (http://espn.kall700sports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Larry-Krystkowiak-3-20-13.mp3), reflecting on the season.

I like LK. He's on his way to success on the Hill, I believe.