What Utah men’s basketball team said on Pac-12 media day

Craig Smith didn’t shy away from the struggles of his first season at the helm of the University of Utah men’s basketball team.

“It’s not always cookies and cream,” Smith said during Pac-12 media day. “Last year was a tough year.”

And Runnin’ Utes guard Marco Anthony shed some light on a potential reason why the team finished 11-20 overall — just 4-16 in the Pac-12 — and dealt with a situation more akin to liver and onions.

“You could kind of see last year, behind the scenes, it kind of looked like people were walking around like they were privileged or something like that,” Anthony said. “Like they were going to be able to play.”

But not this year, Anthony vowed. This year, Utah has been more competitive in practice with guys diving on the floor for loose balls. “It looks like we’re going to war every day,” he said.

And that’s exactly what has Smith optimistic after enduring his worst record just a year removed from taking the Utah State Aggies to three consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.

“I love the group that’s returning,” Smith said. “Those guys have a lot of game experience. They’re great kids and they’re good players. And I love the guys that have that are joining us. We look like a totally different team and I’m really excited to get this thing rolling.”

Utah has eight new players for the 2022-23 season, and will rely on veterans like Anthony and Branden Carlson to lead the way. It is also battling a perception problem after being picked to finish 10th in the conference.

Carlson, who averaged a team-high 13.6 points per game last season, said he’s been focusing on using his voice in order to become a better leader on the court.

But that’s not the only way Carlson is trying to get better.

“Sometimes I put the ball down and when I start dribbling, I try and just kind of go and score,” Carlson said. “I feel like I’ve been able to work a lot just creating plays for my teammates as well.”

The Utes open the season Nov. 7 when they host the Long Island University Sharks at the Huntsman Center.