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With its final two home games coming up, Utah has not scheduled a host of one-on-one meetings, as Larry Krystkowiak suggested Monday.
But there is a message: Finish plays.
If it sounds a bit generic, that's because the advice is applicable to a lot of things the No. 13 Runnin' Utes do. The bottom line is the coaching staff would like to see more hustle.
"If that's rebounding, diving for it, taking a charge, we're not doing a good job," Delon Wright said. "We've just got to finish plays."
It was something Krystkowiak harped on after Utah's 69-58 loss to Oregon on Sunday. He was disappointed in the lack of effort and toughness in areas the Utes often win games.
He declined to call any individual out, but said such hustle plays need to come from somewhere.
"The players have to be asking themselves, 'What am I doing to help our team?'" he said. "Who is going to get 50-50 ball? Who's going to make a big play and step up to take a shot?"
The "finishing plays" theme also extends to the team's shooting around the rim. Jakob Poeltl said the coaching staff has told the team — the big men in particular — that they aren't playing physically enough in the post. Film clips have shown that potentially easy shots were passed up in favor of tougher ones away from contact.
"We gotta toughen up around the rim," Poeltl said. "We've got to finish our chances. We're not supposed to go away from contact. It cost us."
Rock against the roll
In Utah's earlier matchup with Arizona State, the pick-and-roll was an early problem: The Sun Devils ran virtually the same play several consecutive times to load up on points in the paint against the Utes.
Eventually, Utah pulled away for the 76-59 win, but that series stuck with them. They revisited ASU's pick-and-roll sets in film this week for a better understanding of how to stop the play.
"We went through it against them," Wright said. "We saw what we did wrong, so we're able to capitalize on our mistakes."
Olsen on fire?
If you had to pick Utah's hottest shooter, you might have to consider Jeremy Olsen.
The junior center has seen his minutes dwindle this year behind Poeltl and Dallin Bachynski. But even though Olsen hasn't played at all in three of Utah's past seven games, he's making the most of the minutes he gets. He's made his last six shots since February began. Olsen has scored a combined 13 points and 6 rebounds in 36 minutes.
Back in black
Utah has picked Thursday night for its annual blackout promotion. Fans flocking to Huntsman Center are asked to wear black to match Utah's jerseys against Arizona State. Superstitious fans might balk at such a proposition: The Utes wore black in losses at Arizona and UCLA this year.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Arizona State at No. 13 Utah
O Thursday, 8:30 p.m.
TV • FS1