GOAZCATS.com - Utes fall again

February 4, 2012

Alex Markham
UteZone.com

After delivering a somewhat improved performance on Thursday against the Oregon Ducks the (5-18) University of Utah continued their yo-yo ways on Saturday in a 76 to 58 loss to (15-8) Oregon State.

Chris Hines struggled mightily from the field by following his 20 point performance as he finished with one point going 0-8 from the field, 0-6 from three-point rage.

The Utes got into foul trouble from the very beginning and Head Coach Krystkowiak had to turn to two walk-ons Alex Mortenson and Kyle Perkins early in the game. Starters Kareem Storey and Dijon Farr played 10 and five minutes respectively in the first half due to the foul trouble.

The most painful thing to come out of the loss was that the Utes had more turnovers (22) than shots made (18). The Beavers had 18 more shots than the Utes due in large part to the turnovers.

"I thought the first half, them having 20 more shots than us in a half was unheard of, and 13 turnovers and 13 offensive rebounds (actually 12 all game) they just took it to us. They got a good basketball team. I think they're considerably better than their record," said coach Krystkowiak.

Utah, admittedly by Coach Krystkowiak, was "lucky" to be down by 13 points at halftime despite the 20 extra shots as he called the Oregon State players a bunch of "sharks".

"We just didn't have an answer for their pressure," said coach Krystkowiak.

The Utes were not ready to deal with the toughness of the length and athleticism, of the Beavers and guard Cedric Martin and center Jason Washburn both agreed that that is something difficult to simulate in practice.

"Coach talked about it a lot as we reviewed Oregon State. We knew they'd come with pressure (as they are) top five in the country in steals," said center Jason Washburn. "They got a lot of length and they got a lot of athleticism it's not something that we can simulate too much in practice."

The Utes were visibly tired on the floor as they could not match Oregon State's tempo and aggression. There were numerous times were a Ute was the closest player to a loose ball but failed to come away with it.

"It was like we thought somebody else was gonna get it. No disrespect to our players but I thought we played scared," said coach Krystkowiak.

Despite all of the things that went wrong, Washburn finished the game with 15 points, eght blocked shots (a career high), and six rebounds. Martin led all Utes in scoring with 19 points as he hit four three-pointers.

"When they got around the basket I thought he (Washburn) was presence and had some nice timing," said coach Krystkowiak. "That was a bright spot around the rim."

After the game coach Krystkowiak revealed a quote that is up in the Utes locker room.

"Basketball players have to make basketball plays. Free up your mind and deal with pressure," said coach Krystowiak.

You can count on the coaches drilling that into the players before their next game at Arizona State.

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