This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
No one's longing for the days of Grand Canyon, Lamar and Savannah State.
But when Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak looks at his upcoming schedule, featuring five games in nine nights against competitive teams to begin the season, he sometimes questions his judgment.
"You don't really look at some of that timing until your schedule in front of you," he said. "It's like, 'Whoa, what were we thinking?'"
Krystkowiak called it a "gantlet." It isn't the most challenging part of No. 16 Utah's schedule, but it will be the most packed segment until March: Starting the season against Southern Utah on Friday night, the Utes turn around quickly for a Monday game against San Diego State, then they fly to Puerto Rico on Tuesday for games on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. After facing Texas Tech to open the tournament, Utah's schedule could include games against Mississippi State and Butler, pending results.
It's almost impossible to recite the schedule in one breath. What was Krystkowiak thinking?
"When those television opportunities present themselves," he said, "it's really hard to say no."
At least two of Utah's early games will be on ESPN2, and possibly three if Utah can make the Tip-Off championship on Nov. 22. The season opener against SUU will be on Pac-12 Networks, and the second round of the Tip-Off will be on ESPNU.
Whether Utah struggles or soars in the early season, it'll be on TV.
"Why not?" Brandon Taylor said. "We've been conditioning, we've been practicing, so why not?"
The Utes are looking forward to the Division I competition after romping on DII Cal State Monterey Bay last week. The 124-70 result was in line with a team some basketball analysts are expecting to duplicate or even build on its Sweet 16 results last season.
The schedule tests Utah's ability to play a tournament-style format, preparing on short notice and dealing with travel. Utah also gets another shot at the Aztecs next week, after falling to them last season in San Diego.
But make no mistake: That doesn't take the Utes' focus off their initial in-state opponent.
"You never disrespect the game, and you never overlook the opponent," Taylor said. "Southern Utah has our attention and nobody else."
The Thunderbirds were 10-19 last year, and coaches picked them to finish fifth in the Big Sky. While the Utes will have size and athletic advantages over SUU, they'll have to figure out how to deal with players like A.J. Hess, a 6-foot-6 wing who can score in a variety of ways.
There's some familiarity here as well: SUU features a few Utah natives. Utah's Jordan Loveridge played on a team with SUU forward Casey Oliverson, SUU's leading returning rebounder.
But the beginning of Utah's campaign has more pressing story lines: How are the Utes going to play with less size? Are they truly turning up the tempo? Which newcomer will make an early impact?
All in good time — the answers start coming on Friday night. And with five games in nine nights, they'll come quickly.
"We try to look at it from game to game to game, like try to knock the first one out and then go on to the next one so it doesn't seem as much as it is," Jakob Poeltl said. "Because five games in nine days is tough. But that's how we try to look at it, take it one game at a time. Then we'll see where we end up at the end."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Southern Utah at No. 16 Utah
P At the Huntsman Center, Friday, 8:30 p.m.
TV • Pac-12 Networks
Radio • 700 AM
Records • Season opener
Series history • Utah leads, 8-2
Last meeting • Nov. 10, 2006, at Utah; SUU 76, Utah 73
About the Thunderbirds • SUU has three Utah natives on the roster, including junior guard Race Parsons, senior forward Casey Oliverson and freshman forward Joel Swallow. … The T-birds have 11 upperclassmen on the roster. … Senior A.J. Hess is SUU's leading returning scorer, averaging 11.7 points per game.
About the Utes • The Utes are 81-26 in season-opening games, and 4-0 under Larry Krystkowiak. … The Utes return 72 percent of their scoring production, 76 percent of their rebounding and 62 percent of their assists from last year's team. … The game is Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night, and the first 1,000 fans to the game will get a voucher for free popcorn.