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Palo Alto, Calif. • On a four-game winning streak that includes a win over nationally-ranked Duke, the Utes are feeling confident as conference play begins.
Just in time to draw a bullseye on their backs.
For the first time in the Pac-12 era, the Runnin' Utes (11-2) enter the league schedule not as a team hoping for success, but one that has experienced it. The winners of 26 games and a Sweet 16 group last season returning four starters, most expect Utah to be one of the top teams in the conference — and certainly on the short list of Pac-12 title contenders.
But it will take more than the sometimes inconsistent effort Utah has shown in the non-conference schedule, which included double-digit losses to Miami and Wichita State. The Utes hope the side they've shown lately is the one that continues to show up as they start conference play with three straight road games.
"There's still a lot of work we have to get done," senior Dakarai Tucker said. "We've got to keep the focus on defense. Just do the simple things, have the road mentality we had against Duke."
In Utah's favor is the machine-like efficiency on offense: Spurred on by sophomore Jakob Poeltl, whose 71.2 field goal percentage leads the nation, Utah leads the Pac-12 in a number of key stats, including shooting percentage (50.9), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.34), and points per possession (1.146). Poeltl has started the year making a strong All-American case, but he's been augmented by senior wing Jordan Loveridge, sophomore forward Kyle Kuzma and junior guard Lorenzo Bonam to help the offense generate a conference-leading 84.8 points per game.
But Utah still has question marks galore. In losses to the 'Canes and Shockers, the Utes didn't have a clear leader at point guard. Brandon Taylor and Tucker started the year with their statistics dipping from their career averages. Turnovers have been painful, and the coaching staff has resorted to quick substitutions for turnover-prone players. Utah still isn't defending the 3-point line well, allowing opponents to shoot 39 percent from deep (No. 328 nationally).
While Utah has looked more solid in some areas recently, the Pac-12 competition level will test their status as a conference front-runner. Seven of the conference's 12 teams have double-digit wins already.
"This is that time of year when you wipe the slate clean," coach Larry Krystkowiak said.
Utah has played pretty cleanly lately, sharing the basketball well and getting efforts out of a variety of scorers. While the Utes haven't played as well on the road in recent seasons as at home, Krystkowiak said Utah will look at the positives: Starting out at Stanford, Cal and Colorado, the Utes will eventually have more home games in front of a packed student section.
That trip could be tricky. While the Utes were 2-0 against the Cardinal last year, it's an opponent that has frustrated them in the past at Maples Pavilion. Stanford has the fewest wins of any Pac-12 team at 7-4, but has a big roster that could push the Utes physically.
Utah knows the drill at this point: They'll have to be ready for everyone's best shot.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
No. 21 Utah at Stanford
P Maples Pavilion, Palo Alto, Calif.
Tipoff • 7 p.m. MST
TV • ESPNU
Radio • ESPN 700 AM
Records • Utah 11-2, Stanford 7-4
Series history • Utah leads 17-11
Last meeting • March 12, 2015 at Pac-12 Tournament; Utah 80, Stanford 56
About the Cardinal • Stanford has won five of its past six games, with its only loss a 75-73 defeat to Texas. … The Cardinal won the postseason NIT last season, but graduated several seniors from the title-winning team including all-time leading scorer Chasson Randle. … Stanford leads the conference with fewest turnovers with 141, ranking No. 18 in the country.
About the Utes • Jakob Poeltl leads the nation with a 71.2 field goal percentage. … With only 15.6 fouls per game, the Utes have the lowest average in the conference and rank No. 7 nationally. … Senior Jordan Loveridge leads the Pac-12 with 2.54 3-pointers per game, and is shooting 44.6 percent beyond the arc.