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For those watching Sunday afternoon, it was impossible to get a sense of history.
To see the No. 10 Runnin' Utes bat around UCLA in a 71-39 victory, they certainly didn't look like the struggling team that entered the Pac-12 only four seasons back. And the Bruins never looked like the most title-rich program in the annals of college basketball.
It's a different story this season: UCLA is not good. And Utah, well, it might just be one of the best teams in the Pac-12, if not the country.
That narrative played out at the Huntsman Center matinee, as Utah's defense completely stonewalled UCLA's attack. Utah held a double-digit lead for the final 24 minutes, as Delon Wright led a balanced offense with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The 32-point win was the largest margin of victory over a Pac-12 opponent since Utah joined the conference in 2011.
Even though the Bruins are losers of their last five, a dominating win over one of the most storied programs in the game meant something special to Utah, which got out to its first-ever 2-0 start in league play.
"I have some bragging rights," said Wright, an L.A. Native. "It's a good win for the program. We want to keep rolling."
Utah didn't waste much time giving UCLA the slip. The Runnin' Utes, one of the slower teams statistically on offense, had two 11-0 runs in the first half. The Bruins didn't score after a dunk with 6:16 to go before halftime, winding up in a 17-point hole 20 minutes in.
For the game, UCLA shot under 29 percent. The Utes stymied the backcourt in particular: Bryce Alford, Norman Powell and Isaac Hamilton were a combined 4 for 25.
The long stretches in between baskets siphoned energy away from the visiting Bruins. The effort on the defensive end, coach Larry Krystkowiak said, has helped craft Utah's identity in its rise to national relevance.
"Right now our defense is really providing us a spark," he said. "Everybody's locked in, making very few mistakes."
The Utes struggled in the final 10 minutes of the half with UCLA's zone, but managed to outrun the Bruins on several first-half fast break buckets. Wright started or finished each one, getting two first-half layups and an assist in transition.
Wrapping up a four-game road trip, UCLA looked flat-footed against Utah's speed. Krystkowiak said he called a play when the teams were separated by a point, but between defensive stops and fast breaks, Utah didn't run the play for several minutes.
"We want to run teams that come to our altitude," Wright said. "Running them out of our gym is the main goal, just try to get transition and easy buckets."
Many buckets were easy, as Utah scored 32 in the paint. Even at the line, where Utah has struggled this year, the team was 16 for 19. Wright said after making free throws an emphasis for the last few weeks, the Utes simply didn't focus on it in Saturday's practice to take away some of the anxiety.
In the end, 11 Utah players put up points. Eight players scored at least five.
"It just continues to show how deep our team is," Loveridge said. "We're going to need every single guy to step in. Every guy can bring something different."
The only role player who didn't step in Sunday was Kenneth Ogbe, who missed the game with a groin injury. Krystkowiak said it would be evaluated further on Monday.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Storylines
• Bruins shoot only 28.8 percent from the floor.
• Delon Wright has 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals.
• Eight Utes score at least five points, 11 Utes score points.
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