‘I think we can win it all’: Utah men’s basketball aching for chance at NIT title

Deivon Smith worked his way into the paint and pump-faked a layup. Two Virginia Commonwealth defenders bit on the fake, leaving Utah’s Keba Keita wide open.

Instead of laying the ball up himself, Smith gave it to his teammate. “I knew he was going to destroy the rim,” the point guard said.

Keita’s ferocious dunk was an exclamation point to the way the Runnin’ Utes blew out the Rams to advance to the NIT semifinals.

Utah beat VCU, 74-54, on Wednesday at the Huntsman Center. The tournament moves to the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where Utah will face Indiana State on Tuesday at a time to be determined.

But at least one Utah player was already seemingly itching to get to Indianapolis to make a statement.

“Just being on a neutral site, I think we could beat anybody,” Smith said. “I think can win it all, honestly.”

The Runnin’ Utes had the benefit of homecourt advantage for their three wins to reach the tournament’s semifinals. As the Utes prepare for a trip to Indianapolis, head coach Craig Smith spoke on what needs to travel for Utah to continue its run.

“Defense travels,” Craig Smith said. “I think your mindset travels. I think your preparation travels. And being locked in ... like super locked in and dialed in.”

Gabe Madsen said defense and rebounding have to travel to Indianapolis. But in the same breath, he exuded confidence in how the Runnin’ Utes have been playing.

“I feel like everybody talks about defense and rebounding has to travel, and that’s definitely true,” Madsen said. “But I feel like we’re playing our best basketball right now. I think everybody’s just excited to get there. I’m not expecting a dip or anything.”

Smith notched his fifth triple-double of the season with 15 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. That marks the most triple-doubles ever in a Pac-12 season, a record previously held by Jason Kidd.

Madsen scored 18 points for Utah, while Branden Carlson added 17.

Utah exploded out of the gate with an 18-2 run in the first few minutes of the game. But the Rams cut their deficit to 23-20, forcing the Runnin’ Utes to miss eight straight shots.

Three-pointers by Carlson and Madsen brought Utah’s lead back up to nine with 4 minutes left in the first half. Smith’s 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer gave the Runnin’ Utes a 36-26 lead.

Utah started the second half on an 11-2 run and never looked back. Its biggest lead was 29 points.

Indiana State came close to making the NCAA Tournament. Carlson said the Runnin’ Utes have to take that into account on Tuesday.

“They have a chip on their shoulder and we have to come out with a lot of motivation to go for that game,” he said. “We’re excited to play them.”