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Maybe Larry Krystkowiak just gives a heck of a halftime speech.
Maybe it's some great adjustments. Maybe Utah is deeper than the teams it plays, and stays fresher for longer.
Any explanation seems feasible when it comes to explaining the No. 14 Runnin' Utes' great divide between first and second half performances — one of the biggest issues coaches are tackling this week.
Utah (8-2) plays host to South Dakota State (9-3) at the Huntsman Center on Tuesday, the last test in a stretch of difficult non-conference games. One of the defining attributes of going 3-1 in the last four: The Utes simply play better in the final 20 minutes.
It's as vexing to Utah's head coach as it is to everyone else.
"If it were that easy to answer, I probably would've figured it out," Krystkowiak said. "It's still a little bit of a quandary."
The numbers, Krystkowiak suggested Monday morning, are heavily skewed. And he's right.
In the last four games, Utah has averaged nine more points in the second half (26 to 35), and its shooting percentage increases from 37 percent to 47 percent. The defense is also better: Opponents average five fewer points and see shooting percentages dip from 43 percent in the first half to 32 percent in the second.
It has made for some dramatic finishes: Utah trailed against both Wichita State and BYU before coming back to win it. The Utes made Kansas sweat out a second half in which they made twice as many field goals as the Jayhawks and had the lead with minutes to go. At UNLV, Utah took a 1-point halftime lead and stretched it out to a comfortable win at the MGM Grand.
There are two ways to look at it: The Utes are either strong finishers or poor starters. Krystkowiak said he sees the good side, but would like to get out to early leads as well rather than have to make late runs.
"We gotta fix what's broken," he said. "The fact that we came back in those games is a positive thing, but my focus is on those 10-0 spurts that Wichita State starts with and finishes the game with, and the Kansas first half. That's what we have to figure out. We haven't been a great first-half team."
In South Dakota State, Utah will have a team on a recent hot run. The Jackrabbits have won their last seven games — including a most recent overtime win over Utah State in Logan. It's a tight turnaround for both teams, but the Utes hope South Dakota is worn down from playing three games in three nights during the last weekend.
Still, Krystkowiak said, Utah considers the Jackrabbits a tough opponent along the lines of the last four it has faced. South Dakota State is among the top 20 in free throws attempted and made, as well as No. 17 in total blocks. Opponents are shooting only 43.9 percent against them on two-point attempts.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
South Dakota State at Utah
At the Huntsman Center
Tipoff • Tuesday, 7 p.m.
TV • Pac-12 Networks
Radio • ESPN 700 AM
Records • Utah (8-2); SDS (9-3)
Series history • Utah leads, 1-0
Last meeting • Dec. 13, 1962 at Utah; Utah 78, SDS 64
About the Utes • Jakob Poeltl is the No. 2 offensive rebounder in the country by percentage (19.6 percent). ... Delon Wright is No. 40 in the nation in steals with 2.2 per game, and has 10 in his last 3 games. ... The Utes lead the Pac-12 in scoring margin, leading opponents by 18 points on average.
About the Jackrabbits • South Dakota State has won seven straight games, including three in three nights last week at Utah State's holiday tournament in Logan. ... The Jackrabbits are No. 17 in total blocks, led by Connor Devine (1.8 bpg). ... SDSU is top 18 in both free throws made (202) and attempted (292). —
Tale of two halves
Utah has been much more efficient on both sides of the ball in the second half during its last four games:
Utah in first halves last 4 games: 26 ppg; 37 percent
Utah in second halves last 4 games: 35 ppg; 47.4 percent
Opponents in first halve last 4 games: 31.5 ppg; 43.4 percent
Opponents in second halves last 4 games: 26 ppg; 31.8 percent