ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 10 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
6. Utah Utes (7-7, 1-1 Pac-12) LW: 11
After finishing 2018 with a 6-6 record, the likelihood of Utah reaching the NCAA Tournament is slim. But that doesn’t mean the Utes are a pushover in Pac-12 play.
By the 12 minute-mark of the conference season, Utah trailed Arizona State on the road by 17 points, primed for a blowout loss to ring in the year.
Then, something clicked.
The Utes outscored ASU 85-58 over the final 28 minutes, stunning the Sun Devils behind a game-high 24 points from senior guard Sedrick Barefield, including five 3-point shots made.
Barefield was joined in the 3-point barrage by sophomore forward Donnie Tillman (6) and senior guard Parker Van Dyke (4). In total, Utah went 16-of-30 beyond the arc.
Whether it was an adjustment made by coach Larry Krystkowiak or a statement the team grasped onto, the momentum carried over into Tucson.
Utah pushed Arizona to its limits at the McKale Center 一 an achievement in its own right 一 before the Wildcats escaped in overtime. Again, it was Barefield pacing the Utes offense with 26 points.
While a sweep would’ve been an exceptional outcome, splitting a series with two teams expected to finish near the top of the Pac-12 standings is impressive.
Arguably opening the conference slate with the three most challenging opponents, Utah will look to continue its offensive revitalization at home against Washington and Washington State this week.
Though the high-percentage shooting might be unsustainable, the last set of games showed Krystkowiak has no plans to roll over in Pac-12 play.
ASU learned that the hard way and Arizona nearly did as well.
– Pekale