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Deseret Duel on Deck for Utah Men's Basketball
12/8/2014 12:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2014
Live Stats | Live Radio | Twitter | Facebook | Game Notes
Game Information
No. 13 Utah Utes vs.
BYU Cougars
Date: Wednesday, December 10
Tipoff: 7 p.m. MT
Location: Provo, Utah
Arena: Marriott Center
TV: ESPNU
Radio: ESPN 700
Utah Fast Breaks
• Utah has not been ranked this high in the Associated Press Top 25 since the 2004-05 season
• The Utes have dropped the last seven games to the Cougars in Provo, dating back to Jan. 31, 2005 (72-58).
• Utah has been ranked for a total of 234 weeks in program history, amassing a record of 298-91 (.767)
• Delon Wright ranks among the Top 10 in the Pac-12 in scoring, assists, field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage and steals.
• Over the last two weeks, the Wooden Award candidate is averaging 18.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 71 percent from the floor.
• Over the past four contests, freshman Jakob Poeltl is averaging a double-double (13.8 ppg/10.3 rpg) to go along with 3.0 blocks per game and a field goal percentage of 84.6 (22-of-26).
• Over the last four games, guards Brandon Taylor and Dakarai Tucker are shooting 50 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from 3-point range
• This year's Deseret First Duel is tied at 3 with the Utes capturing the all-sport trophy the last two years.
The Deseret First Duel
In 2007, BYU, the University of Utah, and Deseret First Credit Union partnered to create the Deseret First Duel, a celebration of one of the nation's oldest and most spirited college rivalries.
Previously there had been no established series to recognize the athletic supremacy of the Cougars or Utes. The university that wins the Deseret First Duel each year has its name permanently engraved on large granite monuments located at both schools and holds bragging rights for the following year and beyond.
A team trophy is also presented to the winner in each sport. BYU won the inaugural Deseret First Duel in 2008 and again in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Utah claimed the title in 2009, 2013, and 2014.
Last Time Out
After weathering a late comeback by Wichita State, the Utah Utes recovered just in time to earn their biggest win in 15 years - against a team that's not accustomed to losing.
Delon Wright hit a go-ahead jumper with 14 seconds left in overtime to boost No. 25 Utah over the eighth-ranked Shockers 69-68 on Wednesday night, snapping their regular-season winning streak at 35 games.
The do-everything senior guard played all 45 minutes and scored five of his 13 points in the extra period as Utah (6-1) withstood a late Shockers rally and three missed free throws in the final 3.2 seconds.
Brandon Taylor had 17 points and Dakarai Tucker scored 13 for the Utes, who hadn't hosted such a highly ranked team since toppling No. 1 Alabama 51-49 on Dec. 30, 1999.
Clamping Down on "D"
A big reason for Utah's improvement last season was the defensive effort. The Utes ranked second among Pac-12 teams in defensive points per possession. Utah also excelled in guarding the 3-point line, limiting opponents to a league low 30.8 percent from beyond the arc.
This year, the Utes currently top the Pac-12 in scoring defense (56.9 ppg) and ranks in the top 20 nationally in field-goal percentage defense (35.6%). Rebounding has been another key defensively with the team leading the Pac-12 in total margin (+10.3).
Offensive Efficiency
Utah was one of the most efficient teams offensively last season, converting 48.8 percent of its field-goal tries. The Utes won 15 games by double figures and finished the season ranked 15th in scoring margin, beating opponents by an average of 10.8 points.
This season, they are excelling once more in scoring margin, sitting sixth nationally (+23.7). Utah is also currently shooting 52.4 percent from the field and 44.3 from 3-point range, both marks lead the Pac-12.
Multi-Dimensional Delon
Delon Wright was Utah's first All-Pac-12 performer after a breakthrough campaign. The guard was also named to the All-Defensive Team after finishing 10th in the nation in steals per game.
His 82 steals were second only to Andre Miller's single-season mark of 84 and also had one of the best single-season assist marks with 174 (5.3 per game).
Wright led the league in minutes played (36.4 per game) and ranked among the Pac-12's top 15 in field goal percentage (3rd), assist/turnover ratio (5th), blocks (6th), scoring (10th), rebounding (12th) and free-throw percentage (13th).
In the off-season, Wright was one of 30 collegiate players nationwide invited to take part in the LeBron James Skills Academy. He was also named the 2014 Collegiate Athlete of the Year for the state of Utah.
Wright Racking Up Award Nominations
Wright was recently named to the preseason watch list for the John Wooden Award. He has also been selected to the Lute Olsen and the Bob Cousy Award Watch Lists.
The Wooden and Olsen awards are given to the player deemed the top collegiate player in the nation. The Cousy award is given to the top collegiate point guard.
Poeltl Putting Up Big Numbers
Jakob Poeltl has burst on to the scene this season for the Utes, leading the Pac-12 by shooting 75 percent from the floor.
Defensively, he is also having an impact, ranking second in the conference in rebounding and third in blocks. The Utah freshman records for field goal percentage (58.8) and blocks (44) are each well within the 7-footer's reach.
Back in his native Austria, Poeltl captained the U-18 national team at the European Championships
Loveridge Making Leap
Jordan Loveridge became the first player in program history to earn a weekly honor from the conference, another accolade for this local player who helped changed the program's culture.
Loveridge is currently 22nd all-time in scoring average at Utah (13.4 ppg). He only needs 82 points to become the 37th player in team history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark.
Last season, Loveridge ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in rebounding (7.0) and 12th in scoring (14.7), while racking up six double-doubles.
Taylor Trending Upward
Brandon Taylor now ranks 10th all-time at Utah with 111 3-pointers during his career. His accuracy also has him among the Utah greats as he is 10th all-time with a 40.5 3-point percentage.
Taylor is also an astute point guard, finishing sixth in the conference in assist/turnover ratio last season. This year he is third in the league at the charity stripe, shooting 95 percent and also ranks 11th in 3-pointers made and 14th in assists.
Ogbe On The Rise
While some players were relaxing this off-season, Kenneth Ogbe suited up for the U-20 German National Team.
This year, the freshman earned his first collegiate start and responded by scoring a career-high 19 points vs. Alabama State
Last season, he shot 47 percent on 3-pointers, the best mark for a Utah freshman in program history.
He currently ranks fifth in the Pac-12, shooting 47.4 percent from 3-point range.
Balanced Ute Attack
One of the goals of the early season for Coach Krystkowiak was to get more playing time for some of his younger players. So far, this plan seems to be working.
The Utes are 6-1 with the best scoring margin in the league despite only having one player among the top 25 in scoring. Also, after seeing his starters rack up a ton of time on the court last season, Utah has no players among the top 10 in minutes played.
Bachynski Bringing It
The Canadian big man had one of the most effective scoring seasons in Utah history. Dallin Bachynski shot 62 percent from the floor, the 4th-highest total ever by a Ute.
Striving for Success in the Classroom
Head coach Larry Krystkowiak has put an emphasis on excellence on the court and in the classroom during his tenure. Last year, four players were named to the Dean's List (3.5), eight to the Honor Roll (3.0) and 14 players achieved a GPA above a 2.7 mark
Jeremy Olsen and Brandon Taylor were each named to the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team and a record five Utes earned accolades (Lenz, Tucker, Bachynski). Three players were named to the NABC Honors Court, one of only three Pac-12 schools to be recognized and Taylor was selected to the Capital One Academic All-District squad.
MUSSter Up
This off-season, the team also took part in a Navy SEAL program to help build mental and physical toughness. This unique team-building experience benefitted the coaches and student-athletes involved by preparing them for the rigors of the upcoming season.
In 2007, BYU, the University of Utah, and Deseret First Credit Union partnered to create the Deseret First Duel, a celebration of one of the nation's oldest and most spirited college rivalries.
Previously there had been no established series to recognize the athletic supremacy of the Cougars or Utes. The university that wins the Deseret First Duel each year has its name permanently engraved on large granite monuments located at both schools and holds bragging rights for the following year and beyond.
A team trophy is also presented to the winner in each sport. BYU won the inaugural Deseret First Duel in 2008 and again in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Utah claimed the title in 2009, 2013, and 2014.
Last Time Out
After weathering a late comeback by Wichita State, the Utah Utes recovered just in time to earn their biggest win in 15 years - against a team that's not accustomed to losing.
Delon Wright hit a go-ahead jumper with 14 seconds left in overtime to boost No. 25 Utah over the eighth-ranked Shockers 69-68 on Wednesday night, snapping their regular-season winning streak at 35 games.
The do-everything senior guard played all 45 minutes and scored five of his 13 points in the extra period as Utah (6-1) withstood a late Shockers rally and three missed free throws in the final 3.2 seconds.
Brandon Taylor had 17 points and Dakarai Tucker scored 13 for the Utes, who hadn't hosted such a highly ranked team since toppling No. 1 Alabama 51-49 on Dec. 30, 1999.
Clamping Down on "D"
A big reason for Utah's improvement last season was the defensive effort. The Utes ranked second among Pac-12 teams in defensive points per possession. Utah also excelled in guarding the 3-point line, limiting opponents to a league low 30.8 percent from beyond the arc.
This year, the Utes currently top the Pac-12 in scoring defense (56.9 ppg) and ranks in the top 20 nationally in field-goal percentage defense (35.6%). Rebounding has been another key defensively with the team leading the Pac-12 in total margin (+10.3).
Offensive Efficiency
Utah was one of the most efficient teams offensively last season, converting 48.8 percent of its field-goal tries. The Utes won 15 games by double figures and finished the season ranked 15th in scoring margin, beating opponents by an average of 10.8 points.
This season, they are excelling once more in scoring margin, sitting sixth nationally (+23.7). Utah is also currently shooting 52.4 percent from the field and 44.3 from 3-point range, both marks lead the Pac-12.
Multi-Dimensional Delon
Delon Wright was Utah's first All-Pac-12 performer after a breakthrough campaign. The guard was also named to the All-Defensive Team after finishing 10th in the nation in steals per game.
His 82 steals were second only to Andre Miller's single-season mark of 84 and also had one of the best single-season assist marks with 174 (5.3 per game).
Wright led the league in minutes played (36.4 per game) and ranked among the Pac-12's top 15 in field goal percentage (3rd), assist/turnover ratio (5th), blocks (6th), scoring (10th), rebounding (12th) and free-throw percentage (13th).
In the off-season, Wright was one of 30 collegiate players nationwide invited to take part in the LeBron James Skills Academy. He was also named the 2014 Collegiate Athlete of the Year for the state of Utah.
Wright Racking Up Award Nominations
Wright was recently named to the preseason watch list for the John Wooden Award. He has also been selected to the Lute Olsen and the Bob Cousy Award Watch Lists.
The Wooden and Olsen awards are given to the player deemed the top collegiate player in the nation. The Cousy award is given to the top collegiate point guard.
Poeltl Putting Up Big Numbers
Jakob Poeltl has burst on to the scene this season for the Utes, leading the Pac-12 by shooting 75 percent from the floor.
Defensively, he is also having an impact, ranking second in the conference in rebounding and third in blocks. The Utah freshman records for field goal percentage (58.8) and blocks (44) are each well within the 7-footer's reach.
Back in his native Austria, Poeltl captained the U-18 national team at the European Championships
Loveridge Making Leap
Jordan Loveridge became the first player in program history to earn a weekly honor from the conference, another accolade for this local player who helped changed the program's culture.
Loveridge is currently 22nd all-time in scoring average at Utah (13.4 ppg). He only needs 82 points to become the 37th player in team history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark.
Last season, Loveridge ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in rebounding (7.0) and 12th in scoring (14.7), while racking up six double-doubles.
Taylor Trending Upward
Brandon Taylor now ranks 10th all-time at Utah with 111 3-pointers during his career. His accuracy also has him among the Utah greats as he is 10th all-time with a 40.5 3-point percentage.
Taylor is also an astute point guard, finishing sixth in the conference in assist/turnover ratio last season. This year he is third in the league at the charity stripe, shooting 95 percent and also ranks 11th in 3-pointers made and 14th in assists.
Ogbe On The Rise
While some players were relaxing this off-season, Kenneth Ogbe suited up for the U-20 German National Team.
This year, the freshman earned his first collegiate start and responded by scoring a career-high 19 points vs. Alabama State
Last season, he shot 47 percent on 3-pointers, the best mark for a Utah freshman in program history.
He currently ranks fifth in the Pac-12, shooting 47.4 percent from 3-point range.
Balanced Ute Attack
One of the goals of the early season for Coach Krystkowiak was to get more playing time for some of his younger players. So far, this plan seems to be working.
The Utes are 6-1 with the best scoring margin in the league despite only having one player among the top 25 in scoring. Also, after seeing his starters rack up a ton of time on the court last season, Utah has no players among the top 10 in minutes played.
Bachynski Bringing It
The Canadian big man had one of the most effective scoring seasons in Utah history. Dallin Bachynski shot 62 percent from the floor, the 4th-highest total ever by a Ute.
Striving for Success in the Classroom
Head coach Larry Krystkowiak has put an emphasis on excellence on the court and in the classroom during his tenure. Last year, four players were named to the Dean's List (3.5), eight to the Honor Roll (3.0) and 14 players achieved a GPA above a 2.7 mark
Jeremy Olsen and Brandon Taylor were each named to the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team and a record five Utes earned accolades (Lenz, Tucker, Bachynski). Three players were named to the NABC Honors Court, one of only three Pac-12 schools to be recognized and Taylor was selected to the Capital One Academic All-District squad.
MUSSter Up
This off-season, the team also took part in a Navy SEAL program to help build mental and physical toughness. This unique team-building experience benefitted the coaches and student-athletes involved by preparing them for the rigors of the upcoming season.
Players Mentioned
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