Usual Strengths Betray U. in Loss
Coach Jim Boylen repeatedly has emphasized the need to limit turnovers, and that was before his Utes committed 18 and forced only nine in the 75-65 loss at UNLV on Saturday to add to their standing as one of the worst teams in the country in turnover margin.
"We had too many turnovers," forward Shaun Green said.
But it was the things at which the Utes are usually good, that really cost them the game.
The Utes entered the game leading the Mountain West Conference in shooting, rebound margin and free-throw shooting -- and they did all three well in building a 12-point lead in the first half at the Thomas & Mack Center.
But after halftime, it all went away.
The Utes actually committed fewer turnovers while losing the lead in the second half than they did while building it in the first, eight compared to 10. But they shot only 34.5 percent in the second half, were outrebounded 19-15 by a smaller lineup, and managed only five free throws, making just three -- far from the nearly 80 percent they had been shooting, on an average of 21 attempts per game.
"We were a little careless, a little soft, with the ball at times," Boylen said. "Eighteen turnovers is too many down here. And I talked about before the game, you have to win the rebound game and the free-throw game down here, and then the three-point game. We won the rebound game, we won the three-point game, we didn't win the free-throw game. They get nine more points than us from the free-throw line, and that's the difference in the game."
The Utes shot 5-for-8 for the game at the line, while the Rebels were 14 for 21.
Overall, the Utes outrebounded the Rebels 32-30, and made 10-of-16 three-pointers, compared to 5-of-9 for UNLV. They also had one more assist than the Rebels, meaning they lost for the first time in 12 games this season when handing out more than an opponent.
Oh, and for the record, the players who have the ball in their hands the most for the Utes -- guard Luka Drca, forward Carlon Brown and center Luke Nevill -- each committed four turnovers. The Utes had not committed to so many turnovers since beating Gonzaga at home nearly a month ago, and had not committed more since racking up a season-high 20 in the season-opening loss to Southwest Baptist.
"We had too many turnovers," forward Shaun Green said.
But it was the things at which the Utes are usually good, that really cost them the game.
The Utes entered the game leading the Mountain West Conference in shooting, rebound margin and free-throw shooting -- and they did all three well in building a 12-point lead in the first half at the Thomas & Mack Center.
But after halftime, it all went away.
The Utes actually committed fewer turnovers while losing the lead in the second half than they did while building it in the first, eight compared to 10. But they shot only 34.5 percent in the second half, were outrebounded 19-15 by a smaller lineup, and managed only five free throws, making just three -- far from the nearly 80 percent they had been shooting, on an average of 21 attempts per game.
"We were a little careless, a little soft, with the ball at times," Boylen said. "Eighteen turnovers is too many down here. And I talked about before the game, you have to win the rebound game and the free-throw game down here, and then the three-point game. We won the rebound game, we won the three-point game, we didn't win the free-throw game. They get nine more points than us from the free-throw line, and that's the difference in the game."
The Utes shot 5-for-8 for the game at the line, while the Rebels were 14 for 21.
Overall, the Utes outrebounded the Rebels 32-30, and made 10-of-16 three-pointers, compared to 5-of-9 for UNLV. They also had one more assist than the Rebels, meaning they lost for the first time in 12 games this season when handing out more than an opponent.
Oh, and for the record, the players who have the ball in their hands the most for the Utes -- guard Luka Drca, forward Carlon Brown and center Luke Nevill -- each committed four turnovers. The Utes had not committed to so many turnovers since beating Gonzaga at home nearly a month ago, and had not committed more since racking up a season-high 20 in the season-opening loss to Southwest Baptist.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 12:49 PM |
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