A couple of Runnin’ Utes glad to have the Utah football team in San Antonio

San Antonio Spurs’ Jakob Poeltl (25) shoots next toDetroit Pistons’ Blake Griffin during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 136-109. | Darren Abate, AP

Poeltl, Cullen now work for the Spurs

SAN ANTONIO — There were some familiar faces around when the Utah football team attended Saturday night’s San Antonio Spurs game against the Detroit Pistons for an Alamo Bowl activity.

Former Runnin’ Ute Jakob Poeltl had nine rebounds and four points for the Spurs in their 136-109 victory. Poeltl said he’s excited to have the Utes in town.

“I was hoping they would make it to the playoffs but I’ll take it,” he said. “Having them in San Antonio is pretty fun.”

Poeltl feels like he’s in a good spot with the Spurs and enjoyed his time in Toronto before that with former Utah teammate Delon Wright. To a certain extent, he said he keeps in touch with head coach Larry Krystkowiak and the Runnin’ Utes.

“Every time I’m in Utah I try to come in and say hi, seeing how everybody is doing,” Poeltl said. “Honestly that’s about the extent of it. We’re so busy during the season. But, like I said, when I’m in Utah during the summer or when I’m in Utah when we play there and I have time I like to stop by and say hi.”

Poeltl still follows the Utes, mainly over social media.

“I see they’ve been doing well. They’ve had some big wins,” Poeltl said. “So I think if they can keep up going into conference play it should be a fun season. It’s starting for real now. I remember that from college. As soon as New Year’s hits you are going for real.”

Another former Runnin’ Ute, Phil Cullen, is San Antonio’s director of basketball operations and innovation.

“It’s always fun to see some familiar faces. San Antonio is always near and dear to everybody’s hearts. I can remember in high school watching the Final Four and making that run back in ’98,” Cullen said. “So it’s definitely a place that I think Utah still holds as a second home.”

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2rHAiIA