I think a major turning point was the last possession of the third quarter. We were down 2. We could have held the ball, got the last shot and tied the game or taken the lead. We go too early, Jump misses a three and Pili comes back and nails a three as Jone's doesn't contest at all. Utah lead back to 5 and momentum back on their side again.
They definitely earned the win and hit many open perimeter shots when they mattered most. But, IMO we didn't defend the perimeter well. I thought Lepolo, Jump, and Jones got exposed defensively at times with their lack of closeouts, getting through screens, contesting known shooters, etc.
Utah plays the way, I wish we could play ourselves. If we had many knockdown shooters to put around Brink and Betts, we would be unstoppable with the inside and outside. But, not the case.
Onto the Pac12 tourney where I expect us to redeem ourselves. If we win the Pac12 tourney, I think we keep our #1 seed and likely stay #3 overall behind (likely order SC, Indiana, Stanford, Utah)
They definitely earned the win and hit many open perimeter shots when they mattered most. But, IMO we didn't defend the perimeter well. I thought Lepolo, Jump, and Jones got exposed defensively at times with their lack of closeouts, getting through screens, contesting known shooters, etc.
Utah plays the way, I wish we could play ourselves. If we had many knockdown shooters to put around Brink and Betts, we would be unstoppable with the inside and outside. But, not the case.
Onto the Pac12 tourney where I expect us to redeem ourselves. If we win the Pac12 tourney, I think we keep our #1 seed and likely stay #3 overall behind (likely order SC, Indiana, Stanford, Utah)