This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
San Juan, Puerto Rico • On Sunday night, he was the toast of the evening. But what happened Friday lingered in Jakob Poeltl's mind.
Against Miami, he felt outclassed by the Hurricane's own 7-foot center, Tonye Jekiri, who scored more points and doubled his rebounding total. Poeltl thought it wasn't about ability as much as attitude: He was determined not to let it happen again.
Too bad for Temple — his 32-point, 11-rebound, 3-block night in the 74-68 win came when Poeltl resolved to be the agitator rather than the agitated.
"I really wanted to bounce back from that game," Poeltl said. "I wanted to show everybody that I can play with more energy and better than I did in that Miami game — the whole game for once, and not sit out in foul trouble again."
The only time Poeltl sat out against the Owls was to catch his breath from all the shots he was putting up. There wasn't much Temple could do: The team racked up 27 fouls, most of them while trying to put a wedge between Poeltl and the rim. But even fouling him didn't accomplish that: He was 12 for 14 from the line.
In the sparse stands at Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Temple fans hissed at every whistle, and called Poeltl "the Golden Child." They badgered the officials as Utah shot every one of its 34 free throws.
Poeltl can at least feel for them: Against Miami, he was one of the ones in foul trouble. And Chris Reyes. And Brekkott Chapman. And a whole host of Utes as well, as they drew 21 fouls against the Hurricanes.
Reviewing the game, Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak determined that his team hadn't been aggressive enough on offense. Particularly with renewed emphasis on certain NCAA fouling guidelines, the player willing to seize scoring opportunities (and foul calls) will get them.
"In that Miami game we spent a little bit of the time probably being the reactor, and not the actor," Krystkowiak said. "And usually in the game of basketball, those fouls start accumulating against the reactor."
Utah - Poeltl especially — came out determined not to sit on its heels again. And this time, they were cheering the whistles instead of rolling their eyes at them.
In beating the Owls, the Utes took their season into their own hands instead of waiting to see what unfolds.
"I tried to be aggressive, post up every opportunity I had, go aggressive on the offensive boards," Poeltl said. "I was just feeling it."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Poeltl, Utes stay aggressive
• Utah draws 27 fouls, shoots 34 free throws.
• Utah outscores the Owls in the paint, 26-16.
• Poeltl shoots 12 for 14 at the free throw line.