This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
So often, players talk about how the game slows down with experience.
Very few talk about the other part of it: slowing down themselves.
Watching footage of Jakob Poeltl in last year's games, coach Larry Krystkowiak saw that his 7-foot center was often in a hurry. He was so eager to get the ball in the net, so determined to beat opponents with quickness — and so motivated to avoid the free-throw line — that he often sped through moves too quickly when he should've taken his time.
"He would often try to out-quick people — he'd have that little herky-jerky, get-it-to-the-rim-as-fast-as-I-can," Krystkowiak said. "The result was sometimes he'd miss it, and he wouldn't get in the rebound because he wasn't in position."
Utah has asked Poeltl, and several other second-year players, to find a sweet spot when it comes to tempo. Don't play slow, but don't hurry yourself into making a bad play either.
Poeltl is the most prominent of these players after his promising freshman season and bypassing the NBA Draft. The Utes feel confident in the Austrian, who gained 30 pounds and got national team experience while seasoning up his post moves.
But that also applies to a number of second-year players as well: Brekkott Chapman, Isaiah Wright, Kyle Kuzma and Chris Reyes are also expected to take steps forward this year. And to do it, they'll need to flush some of the anxiety and nerves that hindered them last season.
"That's definitely a big difference from last year to this year," Chapman said. "As a freshman, you're just so excited, so ready to start your college experience. After a year of experience, it kind of calms your nerves, and you're more mentally ready and prepared."
Utah has several exciting newcomers, but Krystkowiak expects the team to be bolstered by experience. He doesn't expect the veterans to have to make many adjustments schematically. Seniors such as Jordan Loveridge and Brandon Taylor have been stalwarts for years now — it's taken for granted that they'll be major players.
But take a player like Wright, who last year averaged 12.6 minutes per game. With Delon Wright graduated, he'll be one of the players expected to fill the void.
"He's a hard-nosed guard, and does a nice job defensively," Krystkowiak said. "You'd like to think he's a stabilizing force out there. … And the last two weeks, he's been a guy who's bringing it in terms of intensity and some leadership."
Krystkowiak shot down the idea that any player yet has a defined role: He thinks about 20 practices into Utah's 30 preseason sessions, some of that will start to crystallize.
The Utes will scrimmage Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Huntsman Center, bringing in a crowd for the first time. The coaching staff will evaluate that like any other practice, but it's a first glance for the team at how some players will react to bright lights and rowdy fans — and if the butterflies really are gone.
"It's no secret there's guys that's going to make a play a little bit better when the popcorn's popping and the lights are on and they're being scrutinized a little more," Krystkowiak said. "There's a lot of energy that's burned just from having those fans. You try to simulate it as best you can in practice. I think it will be real healthy for everybody."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Night with the Runnin' Utes
Utah will host its first intra-squad scrimmage Wednesday night at the Huntsman Center:
• Doors open at 5 p.m., game starts at 6 p.m.
• Season ticket holders will be entitled to a free gift with a voucher.
• New Huntsman Basketball Facility will be open for season ticket holder tours at 5 p.m.
• Utah women's team will meet with fans starting at 5 p.m.
• Utes will be available for postgame autographs.