This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
It may be early December, but this game will be remembered in March.
That's when Utah is sure to receive the school's first NCAA Tournament bid in six years. And whatever seed the Utes earn, they can thank Wichita State for coming to the Huntsman Center.
The Utes lost a seven-point lead in the last 70 seconds of regulation, before Delon Wright's shot in the lane with 13.4 seconds left in overtime gave them a 69-68 victory over the No. 8 Shockers. Regardless of how it happened, the win is a major breakthrough in coach Larry Krystkowiak's fourth season, with the residual effect doing Utah so much good.
Few opponents on Utah's 2014-15 schedule could match the credibility the Shockers provide, as an emerging brand name in college basketball. Wichita State has some good history in Salt Lake City, having won two NCAA games at EnergySolutions Arena on the way to the 2013 Final Four, but Wednesday night was another story.
The Utes broke out gray uniforms for the occasion, hoping the new look would help them break WSU's 35-game regular-season winning streak.
It worked.
In the second half, Utah's Brandon Tucker and Dakarai Tucker kept making 3-point shots every time the Shockers seemed to be on the verge of rallying. The Utes' defense was phenomenal until allowing WSU to make three 3-pointers in the final 1:09 of regulation.
The Utes may have blown the opportunity for a convincing victory, but they can only benefit from playing this kind of non-conference game. Not since Alabama came to town with a No. 1 ranking in December 2002 (and was upset) had the Utes scheduled a visiting team with such cachet, outside of league play. Krystkowiak's 2013-14 schedule was well intended, considering the state of the program when he began booking most of those games.
But there's no doubt his team could have used better preparation for the Pac-12 schedule. Thanks to the visit by the Shockers and some other tough games in December, much less of an adjustment will be required next month when conference play begins.
Fans responded well to the marquee game, even with an inconvenient 9:20 p.m. tipoff. The attendance of 14.319 was not a sellout but was impressive just the same, creating an environment resembling the best of the old days at the Huntsman Center.
Utah battled back from that 10-point deficit, cutting WSU's lead to 33-29 by halftime. Midway through the second half, this game really became fun. Chapman's 3-point shot bounced high off the rim and into the net, giving Utah its first lead (39-36). Ria'n Holland immediately matched that 3-pointer, then the Utes' Tucker came back with another one.
Then came what's sure to stand as one of the season's memorable plays. Chapman stood above the free-throw line and delivered the longest bounce pass you'll ever see to Dallin Bachynski, who was fouled while dunking. His free throw pushed the Utes' lead to 45-40.
The crisp plays and clutch shots just kept coming, from both teams — right down to Wright's game-winner. In the end, Utah had to absorb one last attempt, but Fred Van Vleet's half-court heave sailed over the backboard.
So the Utes are going places, after a victory over a visiting team that once looked right at home in Salt Lake City.
Twitter: @tribkurt