SALT LAKE CITY — A few years ago, Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak was criticized for an overly easy preseason schedule that was among the worst in the nation with a boatload of teams such as Evergreen State, Savannah State and St. Katherine.
At the time, the Ute coach said he intentionally went "soft" because he had such a young team and needed to build their confidence with some sure victories. But despite winning 21 games that year, the Utes could only get an invitation to the NIT.
Following two trips to the NCAA Tournament, including one to the Sweet 16, the Utes have fallen back with two straight NIT appearances. So this year, in an effort to help build a possible NCAA resume, the Utes upgraded their non-conference schedule.
However, with a young squad that includes nine newcomers — six freshmen and three transfers — the Utes have struggled with a schedule that has included trips to No. 19 Kentucky and games against Big Ten opponents Minnesota (10-2) and Northwestern (8-4). Their toughest game is coming up Saturday when unbeaten, No. 6-ranked Nevada comes to town for a noon game at the Huntsman Center.
Krystkowiak said he has no regrets about scheduling a few tougher opponents this year, even if it has given his team a 6-5 record, that very well could be 6-6 heading into next week's Pac-12 play.
"You do what you think is best for your guys," he said. "We maybe could be 10-2 with an easier schedule but there's a certain percentage of people that aren't going to be happy. Long term I don't believe it's killed our confidence. We've played some good opponents and regardless of what's happened, I'm going to look at the positive aspect in that I think we have some kids that are growing and have been pressed and we should be ready for (Pac-12 play) based on our preseason schedule."
Krystkowiak also doesn't want to use the "young kids" excuse because he points out the Utes have some seniors and juniors in the program. But he does think the tougher games will help his younger players down the road.
"It's important for those young kids because the more you can be put in those environments whether you're playing Kentucky or Minnesota or whoever it is, those things go in your memory bank and at the end of the day make you a better player and a better team."
STAYING POSITIVE: Sedrick Barefield is a senior captain, who started most of last season and is the leading scorer on this year's team at 13.4 ppg. However, he lost his starting position after the Kentucky game and has come off the bench the past two games, both wins over lesser opponents.
Krystkowiak said he has no immediate plans to put Barefield back in the starting lineup or Donnie Tillman, who is also coming off the bench after starting nine games.
"We needed to shake things up," the Ute coach said. "(Barefield) has come in and done a nice job. Parker (Van Dyke) and Both (Gach) are doing a nice job to start the game, they're both efficient, so until we think we need to do another change I'm happy with the way it is."
Barefield is keeping a positive attitude about it.
"I'm approaching every day the same way, and just trying to attack with everything I've got, to be a leader and be an extension of a coach on the floor," he said. "Whether I'm coming off the bench or not really doesn't matter. I'm still going to do what I do and play my game and do whatever I can to help the team and continue to play my role."
UTE NOTES: The Utes open the Pac-12 season Thursday at Arizona State and then will play at Arizona Saturday afternoon. Then they'll come home for three home games, Jan. 10 against Washington, Jan. 12 against Washington State and Jan. 20 against Colorado . . . The Utes have had nine different players start a game this year and no one on the team has started all 11 games . . . Krystkowiak said Thursday that Lahat Thioune, a 6-10 freshman from Senegal, who has been sidelined with an injury all season, is not likely to play this season.
from Deseret News http://bit.ly/2rYcrAT
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