This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

On an evening when the Utes pounded a hapless Division III squad, the highest drama came at the very beginning.

A prerecorded clip of Brandon Taylor appeared on the video board. He clapped his hands, telling the crowd gathered in the overhauled arena, "We're doing things a little bit differently this year."

Lights out. Music up. Glowsticks on.

Basketball season has arrived.

From the new spotlight intros to the one-sided 98-38 final score, the No. 25-ranked Utes put on a show with a clear message: Things are changing for the program. It's true of their slick new maple floor, their new LED lighting system, and the cloud-less ceiling above the scoreboard.

It's also true of the way Utah plays. With Delon Wright slashing, Jordan Loveridge firing 3-pointers or newcomers Jakob Poeltl and Brekkott Chapman locking down the paint, this is the most talented squad Larry Krystkowiak has coached at Utah.

The first game Krystkowiak ever coached was also an exhibition, a 61-60 loss to Adams State. The Utes have climbed a long way from those days, indeed.

"I give a lot of credit to our guys, and I've got a lot of confidence we can do it," he said. "But it's just kind of this internal deal. We've got a long checklist of things we've got to do, and it's like, 'Wait, we've got a week.' But we'll be all right."

If there's one thing expected from an exhibition, it's domination. Utah provided that Thursday night.

It was in the score, of course. It was in the 51-27 rebounding margin. It was evident in how the Utes shot 52.2 percent from the floor, and Pacific shot 22.6 percent. The length and quickness of the Utes, improved from last year, was greatly exaggerated by playing the undersized and outmanned Boxers, and they only gave up 4 turnovers to Pacific's 17.

But individuals also stood out: Loveridge was a perfect 4-for-4 from long range with a game-high 20 points. He split the floor on a drive inside for an easy layup that spoke to his tough offseason regimen.

Austrian center Jakob Poeltl swept the boards clean all evening and patrolled the paint with his shot-swatting arms, while fellow freshman Brekkott Chapman showed promise with a stat-stuffing 14-point, 5-rebound, 2-block night.

Even in the times when Utah didn't look great — Delon Wright's dunk attempts were thwarted by the rim a few times — there was a palpable sense of ease. It won't happen every night.

"With the effort, wanting to play another team and having it count, I think we're ready," Loveridge said.

It was also in a new-look arena that's been cleaned up and re-lit. The Utes honored the staff who were a part of renovating the 15,000-seat venue that include better lighting, the new black-boarded floor and a new sound system.

But even the new-look Huntsman didn't keep folks around. It was early in the second half, as freshman Kyle Kuzma cruised in for a sky-scraping dunk, that fans started streaming out of the seats.

In this case, it was a good thing for Utah. Thursday nights exhibition was an appetizer. The best basketball is yet to come.

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon —

No. 25 Utah 98, Pacific 38

O Jordan Loveridge leads with 20 points including four 3-pointers

Freshman Brekkott Chapman is 6-of-8 for 14 points

Utah shoots 52.2 percent from the floor and holds Pacific to 22.6 percent