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It's short, as far as Christmas wish lists go: fewer turnovers, better execution. Converting some more free throws also would be nice.
But Larry Krystkowiak didn't wax on about what's wrong with his No. 14-ranked Utah team. Even the coach who is always looking to sand down the rough patches looked as pleased as ever after an 80-66 win over South Dakota State. As the Runnin' Utes go their separate ways during the holidays, there's a lot to be happy about, he said.
"I've asked our guys to take a good look at what they're doing, and [the coaching staff will] do the same," he said. "But I've been pleased with our preparation, where we are nationally in a couple categories and the way we've played. There's far more good things than bad things. But we'll keep sharpening the saw."
That should be a scary thought for Pac-12 opponents with the start of conference play just around the corner.
A third of the way through the season, Utah has proved itself just about worthy of the preseason hype that made it the No. 2 projected team in the Pac-12. With a 9-2 record against a slate that included wins over Wichita State and BYU, the respect isn't just hypothetical any longer.
The Utes lead the Pac-12 in scoring margin and rebounding margin, and they are among the conference's top three in scoring defense, shooting percentage, shooting percentage defense, 3-point shooting percentage, and defensive rebounds. They have a legitimate star in Delon Wright, who is on track for an All-America-caliber season. They have leaders and veterans in Dallin Bachynski and Brandon Taylor, but also early contributors in freshmen Jakob Poeltl and Brekkott Chapman.
They also have focus. Krystkowiak acknowledged he worried about South Dakota State being a potential trap game, but Utah led by double digits before the end of the first half. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, No. 3 Arizona — the predicted conference champ — fell to the UNLV team that the Utes just beat by 13.
While there's so much left to do, Utah is drawing attention for the right reasons with Pac-12 play just about to begin. Jordan Loveridge, on the mend, should add to the team's growing arsenal of threats.
There's not yet a sign of complacency among the Utes. Delon Wright seemed nonplussed when he realized he was four rebounds away from a triple-double against the Jackrabbits. He then made a comment about trying to rebound better in the future.
Asked what Utah would focus on improving for the Pac-12 schedule, Wright didn't single out any one element.
"Everything," he said. "Not just one thing. Playing a total game. That's what we need to work on."
There's no doubt that Utah has weaknesses. Offensively, the Utes have hit some stagnant patches. They're not nearly as good a defense in transition. Shield your eyes from their free-throw shooting.
But the total game — that takes some time to develop. And all signs so far point to Utah being on that track.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Utah by the numbers
• Leads the Pac-12 in average scoring margin (plus-17.6)
• No. 6 in 2-point percentage defense (37.2 percent)*
• No. 15 in 2-point shooting percentage (55.2 percent)*
• No. 23 in defensive rebounding percentage (73.9 percent)*
• No. 13 in effective field goal percentage defense (41.5 percent)*
*Statistics from KenPom.com —
Carroll at No. 14 Utah
P Monday, 7:30 p.m.
TV • Pac-12 Network