I know that our guys are excited to be a part of this time of year and then it goes without saying that when we lose now we’re done. So hopefully, maybe, some of that disappointment will motivate us to try to focus a little bit more than we have. – Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak
SANDY — When Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak emerged from his home to meet the press Sunday afternoon he did so relishing the Utes’ first NCAA tournament berth since 2009.
Moments earlier, Krystkowiak watched the selection show with his staff, the team and a group of supporters that included family and friends. They learned that Utah (24-8) was headed to the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter in Portland, Oregon as a No. 5 seed. The Utes will face Stephen F. Austin (29-4) of the Southland Conference Thursday night (5:27 p.m., truTV).
“It’s a great day to be a Ute, really. We were sitting down in the basement and everybody’s really excited,” said Krystkowiak, who added it was really cool. “It’s been a long process for four years and, you know, it’s a heck of an opportunity for us. I’m pleased that we’re staying in the West. We won’t have that far to travel and I look forward to getting started.”
Just three years ago, the Utes completed their first season under Krystkowiak with a 6-25 record. The program has made steady improvement ever since.
Junior guard Brandon Taylor said getting the storied program back to the NCAA tournament is a surreal feeling, and that everyone was anxious and excited while watching the unveiling of the brackets.
“It was amazing just to see us pop up — No. 5 Utah,” Taylor said. “It’s crazy.”
The Utes are headed to the NCAA tournament for the 28th time. Associate head coach and former Ute player Tommy Connor said it was a pretty special feeling to be in the room with the team when Utah appeared on the board again.
“It brings back some great memories. So I’m thrilled to death for the University of Utah, the Utes, this team, these players,” Connor said. “They really have no idea what they’re about to get into. How cool of an experience it is.”
Getting ready for Stephen F. Austin began immediately for the coaches. Connor added that it’s something they love.
“We live for this, like sleep is not an issue here for the next while,” he explained. “It’s about preparation and trying to put our guys in the best position to beat Stephen F. Austin. So we’ll work hard at it here for the next four days.”
The Utes, admittedly, don’t know a lot about the Lumberjacks. Krystkowiak, though, does know SFA coach Brad Underwood quite well and is aware that they have a high-powered team.
“They like to run,” Taylor remarked. “Transition is going to be key . . . along with a lot of other things.”
The Utes enter the NCAA tournament on the heels of a 67-64 loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 tourney semifinals. Krystkowiak joked to reporters that he needed some Listerine because the bad taste is still lingering. He’s hopeful that some of the bumps in the road — including four setbacks in their last seven games — will get everyone’s full attention, re-emphasizing his belief that everything happens for a reason.
“I know that our guys are excited to be a part of this time of year and then it goes without saying that when we lose now we’re done,” Krystkowiak said. “So hopefully, maybe, some of that disappointment will motivate us to try to focus a little bit more than we have.”
Senior center Dallin Bachynski likes where the Utes are and even considers their seeding fair.
“I wouldn’t change a thing. I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened to us. The team we are is the team that we’re going to be,” Bachynski said. “And missing a couple of shots, missing a defensive rotation or whatnot, doesn’t change who we are as a team today.
“I think we learn a lot from the losses and I think every one of the losses that we had — even just Oregon — we’ve already learned from it,” he continued. “We’re learning from it and we’re going to move forward and we’re going to use what we’ve learned to not make the same mistakes again. Hopefully that will get us decently far in the NCAA tournament.”
Hopes are high. Senior guard Delon Wright noted that it’s another season.
“We are going to wipe that (Oregon) game away,” he said. “But still learn from it and try to get better and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Of course it’s do or die in the NCAAs, Taylor noted, and the Utes are determined to make a run.
“It’s just a great opportunity. It’s a great opportunity to be a fifth seed and I couldn’t stress it more, it’s just a great opportunity to go out there and continue our season,” Taylor said. “It’s just great to be here. It doesn’t matter our opponent, you know, just to be a part of something like this in the month of March is amazing.”
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