FYI, I plan on putting my 2020 Efficiency stats over here this year, as well as UB5.
Anything you’d like to see this year please let me know and I’ll try to work it into my reports.
For those unfamiliar, efficiency is (PTS+REB+AST+STL+BLK) minus (MISSED SHOTS + TURNOVERS)
UTAH VS NEVADA
Utah 88-80 efficiency (79-70 win)
Not a lot to compare to yet but Utah had season highs and season lows in everything.
Some key stats to look at, Utah took 9 less shots but teams were equal in makes.
Utah was +7 on turnovers and -6 on assists
2.83 assist to turnover by Nevada blew away Utah 0.85 ast/to (11 ast – 13 TO). That must improve
If Utah cleans up the turnovers 1/6 possessions was a turnover
Lucky for them, Nevada only shot 41% from the field.
Next up Mississippi Valley State. I predict a 40+ blowout
Utah 216 Mississippi Valley State 22 (Utah 143-49)
Uh…what?
I’m contemplating not even including these stats into the season averages just because of how skewed it all was
Nobody played over 25 minutes, the two guys who played 23+ minutes got triple doubles.
There were some negatives in this game. Mississippi Valley State had 8 offensive rebounds, 9 steals, 6 blocks and only 16 fouls. They also had 93 possessions.
170 combined shots and 238 combined efficiency might blow the doors off the record books.
The best stat of the day? Timmy Allen 8/8 from the free throw line. He was 7/14 vs Nevada. Brings his average up to 68.2%
Not much else to say except Utah covered.
Minnesota next Friday. Current numbers say Utah +8 in that game, maybe that win over Nevada will help. Minnesota plays Oklahoma today and at Butler on Tuesday. They might be tired going into JHMC.
When the opposition rolls over and quits at the tip-off, the stats mean nothing. Those ware nothing but an outlier for the history books. The next game will be the tell.
Utah 88 Minnesota 74 (Utah won 73-69)
FYI, the far left column is the season ranking
Oturo had a great game and really did everything he could to help Minnesota get back in the game.
Honestly, every stat said Minnesota was poised to win this game except two categories, points and shooting %
Utah shot 53.2% vs Minnesota 35.1%
18.1% better from the field is usually good enough for a 20 point win, Utah won by 4
Minnesota took 27 more shots than Utah did…27!
Unfortunately for them they only made 1 more.
Utah was +11 FTM / +12 FTA and one stat to note early in the season. Utah doesn’t foul.
Utah has committed less fouls in every game
Nevada +13
MSVST +2
Minnesota +5
This translates to more free throws and Utah.
Utah opponents average 5 FTM and 9 FTA per game
Utah free throw average 16.7 FTM and 24.0 FTA (Nevada was a huge discrepancy)
Minnesota shot and kept shooting, they were +12 on the offensive boards which is the one reason they kept this close. Minnesota collected 35.4% of all offensive rebound opportunities. That’s way too high.
Minnesota was -11 on turnovers, which was due to being +9 on steals. Offensive boards, and steals kept Minnesota in the game. After the 16-0 start we all thought it was over, but not Minnesota.
This was the slowest game of the season, only 136 possessions (185 in the MSVST game). 142 combined points was a season low, ahem Utah scored more 143 in their previous game.
The only season high Utah garnered was 6 block shots. 3 by Carlson, 2 by Allen and 1 Gach.
Utah was a bit lucky to pull this game out but the huge positive is this young team found a way to dig deep and fight out a win. That experience goes a long ways.
Next up… the Myrtle Beach Invitational
Coastal Carolina 93 Utah 50 (CCU won 79-57)
Gach did not have a good game. 2/11 and 0/5 from three puts him at a -3 efficiency
Nobody really had a good game…unless you’re a Chanticleer fan.
#3, #4 and #5 performances against Utah all came in tonight’s game. Those 3 players Dibba, Jones and Brewton beat the entire Utah team. Brewton went 6/9 from deep.
Utah allowed 29 made shots (avg 26.0 allowed). 10/16 from the free throw line were both season highs for Utah opponent. 29 defensive boards and 41 total rebounds, also season highs. Utah gave up 6 blocks, 45.3% from the field and 45.8% from deep. All season highs. One good thing is Coastal Carolina had a season low 41.4% assists per shot, that just means guys were creating and scoring, winning one on ones.
Utah had a season low 19 shots made (57 made shots vs MSVST) and only 5 made three point shots. Utah had a season low of 28 defensive rebounds and only 9 assists. Avg 39 defensive rebounds and 18.3 assists. Only 1 block (season low), 57 points (season low 88.0 avg) 50 efficiency (season low 110.5 avg). 33.3% shooting (season low), 17.9% from deep (season low) 56% free throws (season low) and only 67 possessions (season low). Needless to say, this game was a season low.
Utah was +4 on offensive boards and +3 total rebounds but that’s mostly because they were -12% shooting (season low). CCU was +28% better from deep. That’s huge. +6 from three pointers made is 18 points. Couple that with -3 possessions and +4 turnovers and Utah just lost this game all over the place. I blame this on a long road trip and a very young team.
The teams did combine for a season high 28 offensive rebounds (season high). Everything else was pretty slow. 136 points, 121 shots, 21 assists, and 39.7% combined shooting were all season lows.
Not much else to say other than Utah showed their inexperience. Hopefully this game sticks in their memory of how not to play going ahead.
Next up…Ohio. The Bobcats have lost 2 in a row vs ranked teams and they weren’t even close. They are 3-2 overall with 3 snooze games to open the season. Utah should be favored in the -10 to -14 range.
Utah 88 Ohio 60 (Utah won 80-66)
Utah was back to form vs Ohio
Held the Bobcats to 28 rebounds and only 10 offensive boards. 18 defensive rebounds was a season low for Utah opponent. 9 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks…also season lows for Utah opponent.
Utah’s free throw defense was at its worst though 12/15 80% (season high). 67 possessions tied the season low for a Utah opponent.
As for Utah, 96.4% from the line 27/28. Makes and % both season highs. This was a slow game so Utah’s attempts and rebounds were low but the big difference was rebounding. Utah was -8 on fouls and +15/+13 from the stripe. Difference of the game.
The teams combined for 39 made free throws (season high) and 90.7% from the line. Other than that everything else was season lows due to the slow pace of play.
Utah will face Tulane tomorrow morning. Early 8:30 am tipoff in Utah. I have Utah by 21 in that game for the 5th place game. Utah should go 2-1 in the tournament, not the 2-1 everybody expected but 2-1 nonetheless.
Tulane 68 Utah 66 (Tulane won 65-61)
This was a slow, ugly 8:30am game. 64 possessions was a season low.
Utah held Tulane to only 21 three point attempts (season low), they only picked up 17 defensive boards and 25 total rebounds (both season lows) and only 1 block (another season low) but Utah allowed 45.6% from the field (season high) and 85.7% from the line (also a season high)
Utah on the other hand had season lows in free throws 8/11, defensive boards 23 and a season high in turnovers (20). 13 fouls was a season low and ended up costing them at the end of the game when they had to foul 4 times just to stop the clock.
Nothing really stands out in this game except the 25 fouls combined (12 under the season average)
Both teams shot a combined 46.7% which was a season high. The 128 possessions was 20 under the season average for a Utah game.
NOTE : In both losses, Both Gach scored a -3 PER. In the one win, +16. He literally can make or break this team.
Below are the season totals 1/5 of the season in.
Timmy and Both can not combine for 12 turnovers… ever.
Utah 95 UC Davis 73 (Utah won 77-73)
Pretty slow game overall. UC Davis only had 54 shot attempts (-10 Utah opponent avg)
17 three point attempts was also a season low.
UC Davis only had 24 rebounds (season low) and didn’t get their first rebound until 11 minute mark
3 steals was a season low.
Although, Utah allowed 48.1% shooting, season high and 52.9% 9/17 from deep.
Utah on the other hand had a season low 62 possessions (71 is avg)
Season low in shots (45), offensive boards (4), rebounds (29) and offensive rebound opportunities (21.1%) - 30% is the goal, season average is 33.5%
Teams combined for 52.5% shooting 52/99 and 50% from deep 19/38, although many of those came in the last couple minutes by the Aggies.
Rylan Jones season assist to turnover is 2.5 ast per TO, leads the team.
Jones is 20/22 on the season from the line, 90.9% (leads team)
Timmy Allen leads the team in 10/22 categories. (Mins, FGM, FGA, FTM, FTA, DefR, Rebs, Pts, PER and Pts/Min)
Brenchley is 11/22 on the season from deep. 50% leads the team.
Next up…Them.
Utah 111 BYU 96 (Utah won 102-95 OT)
Toolson and Childs played an awesome game. The reason Utah won this game wasn’t because of the refs (sorry Zoobs) it wasn’t because of Childs’ conditioning…it was because of Utah’s depth. BYU came out blazing with Childs dropping threes and being the aggressor. Eventually, that wore off. Between Toolson and Childs they had 30% of the minutes and 67% of their efficiency. Haws was miserable. 2/7 shooting and 5 turnovers plus he fouled out.
Haws -2
Jones +28
Ballgame!
Despite all the complaining about fouls, BYU put up a season high in free throws made and attempted for a Utah opponnent. 13/17 (season avg 8.5/12.1). BYU did have a season high 20 turnovers, that’s not the refs. 2:9 possessions was a turnover for BYU (season high). 29 personal fouls tied the season high for a Utah opponent (Nevada).
Utah on the other hand only shot 24/31 from the line, not even close to their season high but above their average (17.3/23.3 avg). Utah had a season low 11 turnovers and high 10 steals (again…not the refs fault). Utah failed miserably on the offensive rebounding opportunities. Only 14.8% were obtained 4 offensive boards out of 27 opportunities (season low). Utah also had a season low of assist per shot at 40.5%. BYU did a good job of being the aggressor on defense, the downside to that is they were penalized with fouls. Utah became the aggressor on offense late in the second half about the same time as BYU’s lack of depth began to show. Utah was -9 on turnovers (season high) and +6 for steals (season high).
The teams combined for 48 free throws (12 of which came in overtime) and 197 points (both season highs for a Utah game) but they also combined for 55.8% shooting 72/129.
Changing point in the game was at the 0:31 mark…the missed lay-up from Jones. Utah was ready to go up 85-84 and had all the momentum. Jones fell to the ground in a move that I can only assume was to summon all the strength of Majerus and Misaka to finish the game in Utah folklore forever.
After that point, Rylan Jones nailed a 26’ three to tie the game at 86 and picked up the rebound to end regulation. A crazy shot at 3:22 in overtime put Utah up 90-88, then a great pass and assist to Allen to put Utah up 92-88, another jumper by Jones at 1:53 to put Utah up 94-88. Jantunen then got an assist from Jones at 1:16 to go up 96-90. Jones then fouled the worst free throw shooter I’ve ever seen at BYU (Evan Troy) and he clanked two off the side of the rim. Jones then was fouled twice and sank all 4 free throws to go up 100-93.
I hope the missed lay-up from 1’ will live in Jones subconscious for at least the next 4 years and he burns with the fire of Utes in the past for Ute greatness. Time will tell.
Next up…Central Arkansas. Utah is a 92% favorite to win.
I was excited for Rylan because I am one that believes that you need a great point guard more than any other position. I’ve been a fan long enough to have seen some greats as well as a number of really really good ones. One thing I was hoping to see from Rylan was that special something that some kids just have that makes them able to come up big in big moments, the ‘Gamer Gene’. His high school career and things people said about him made me hopeful, but you never know until you see it. He had a couple flashes already this year, some crazy 50:50 balls and some clutch plays, that made me think WOW, this kid could really be good. But I never dreamed to see it on full display so early in his career. It’s obvious this kid has some special grit, and also seems like a good kid, very proud to have him representing the U.
All you had to say was Olympus high grad.
I’ve always heard the term “Coaches son“ and always knew it brought a bit of depth to that player but you can see it in Rylan. Bobby Hurley was the coach his son, same goes for Austin Rivers.
I know Chris Jones played for Utah back in the 90s and became an asst coach at Utah State and bounced around a few places in, including under Majerus for a couple years. All that wealth of information is somewhere inside of Rylan.
Jones was also an assistant at Utah under Boylen - but you may have intentionally left that out 
Agreed, not always but quite often. My middle son’s best friend growing up was the HS coach’s son. He was a really good coach that probably should have went on to coach college because he was perhaps a bit prickly to coach HS. Imagine Majerus coaching HS but without the R-rated stuff. Anyway, Braxton was a special player too, super clutch, never got sped up, pure shot, score from anywhere on almost anyone. Was really excited to see him play college ball. Unfortunately he died in October of a brain tumor at age of 22 after a year and half battle. He was such a great kid. I miss him everyday. I’m gonna tell myself that maybe Braxton is helping my team since he has some time on his hands now.
Utah 126 Central Arkansas 53 (Utah won 98-67)
Timmy Allen is a stud.
7 of Allen’s 9 games rank in the top 11 games for Utah
Tied the season high 29 PER yesterday.
4 players score over 20 PER for 40 minutes
Allen 26.7
Jones 21.1
Jantunen 20.4
Battin 20.2
Jantunen averaging the least of minutes of the 4 at 20.9 minutes per game.
Below are my player rankings and where they were last week
Central Arkansas only shot 3/15 from deep, season low allowed for Utah.
Central Arkansas also had a season low 7 assists and a high 22 turnovers. .32 ast/to is a season low (Utah allows 0.91 asst/to)
Central Arkansas also had 2 turnovers per 7 turnovers (season high). Utah average is 1:6
Utah on the other hand had a season low 8 turnovers (avg 13.3) and steals 11 (avg 5.2)
They reached a turnover per possession high of 1:9 possessions (average 1:6)
Utah was +15 in three point attempts and -14 on turnovers
+7 steals and +5 blocks (all season highs)
This game had a season high 15 steals (Utah 11 CentArk 4)
Side note, here’s the story on Sikiru “SK” ■■■■■■■ that’s his name…pretty cold to block it out, a really cool story out of Central Arkansas.
Hopefully Rylan Jones will be ok, took a big shot to the ribs. Diagnosis was a rib contusion, 3-7 days recovery but easily reaggravated.
Utah 74 Weber St 56 (Utah won 60-49)
Utah allowed a season low 19 shots made and 49 points. The last time they allowed 49 they scored 143.
Utah owned the offensive boards. Weber only collected 41.8% of all defensive rebounding opportunities. The goal is to keep a team below 70%. Utah for the season allows 78.2%
Utah had a season high 17 offensive rebounds, 44.7% of all offensive rebounding opportunities were grabbed. Utah was +6 on offensive boards (season high)
Utah only fouled 12 times, season low (average is 15.2)
The 61 possessions was a season low for Utah, very slow game and ugly to start.
Utah was +3 on turnovers (-3 steals) and -2 on blocks. Utah shot worse from deep by a hair -2.2% but both teams were bad. 9/43 combined from three 20.9% (both season lows for a Utah game) 109 points and 39 shots made were combined season lows and 33.9% shooting was also a season low. I blame Vivent. 39/115 yikes!
Next up…Them!
Utah 74 Kentucky 68 (Utah won 69-66)
Richards PER avg this season is 18.7
Sestine PER avg this season is 11.5
Kentucky is a solid team with 6 freshmen on the team, imagine having to play with 6 freshmen!! Tough
They’re a good team, just sloppy and can’t shoot the 3 very well.
2/17 was 11.8% Makes and percentage both season lows for a Utah opponent
Utah has been guarding the 3 well lately. 9/50 allowed the last 3 games 18%
Kentucky only got 17 defensive boards, 73.9% of opportunities, which is actually really high.
The problem was Utah shot 54.8%…there just weren’t a lot of opportunities.
53.3% from three 8/15 was a season high, although 15 attempts was a season low (Ohio 15)
Utah had a season high 19 fouls and lows in offensive boards 4. Only 21.1% of all offensive rebounds were had…but again…Utah shot well.
Utah was +41.6% from 3. +6 on shots made from deep. When you win by three, that’s the game. Walton kept alluding to Evansville and the drive and kick for three. Worked like a charm, thanks for the tip Bill.
The teams combined for 32 three point attempts, season low. Average is 45.1 attempts combined.
Utah is 7-0 when they have 16 turnovers or less. This was the first game they won having more than 16 turnovers
Utah is 7-0 when they shoot over 48%
Utah is 9-0 when the assist to turnover is higher than 0.7:1 or 1 assist to every 1.4 turnovers.
That’s about it. Utah got hot and caught UK napping at the first. Weathered the storm and got them into foul trouble. The overturned block call at the end was huge.
Can we say enough about Jones? If Covey and Jones got in a fist fight, neither one of them would ever stay down for the count. In the nicest but toughest fight you’d ever see.
Next up…Aztecs. The battle for Native American superiority. I think San Diego State is the better team. About as equally as talented as Kentucky but better shooters.
FYI, Utah is now 3-0 as underdogs this season.
