SALT LAKE CITY — Rylan Jones didn’t score, didn’t record an assist and didn’t even dress for Saturday afternoon’s rare in-state game against Weber State.
The freshman point guard did, however, end up being a popular topic after the University of Utah’s 60-49 victory over the Wildcats in the first game of the 2019 Beehive Classic at Vivint Arena.
Jones, one of the pleasant surprises around the Pac-12, was missed. He sat out after suffering an injury to his ribs early against Central Arkansas a week ago Saturday. He’s also dealt with ankle injuries this season.
“It hurts my heart. He’s my PG,” Utah sophomore Timmy Allen said of the absent freshman, who averages a second-best 11.7 points and a team-high 5.2 assists. “He’s a great player. I think he’s the best freshman in the Pac-12.”
That Jones was even in the conversation of a game he didn’t participate in — he was in casual warmup clothes on the bench — is a testament to how the true freshman from Olympus High has ingratiated and incorporated himself into a Utes’ basketball program that is off to a better-than-expected 8-2 start.
“He does a lot of things for us,” Ute guard Both Gach said of Jones, crediting the freshman’s influence on defense and his knack for getting his teammates open shots.
As the final score reflects, Utah did just fine without him on this afternoon, but the game showed just how thin the Utes are in the backcourt. Allen (37 minutes) and Gach (36 minutes) each played nearly the entire 40-minute contest. Redshirt freshman Jaxon Brenchley got the start on the guard line next to Gach, scoring three points in 26 minutes, and junior Alfonso Plummer also saw some time off the bench (16 minutes).
“You’re always concerned about depth certainly and (especially) when you’ve got a guy down. Both’s been our only point guard that’s playing any minutes,” Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak said. “We’re not the only team in America that played eight guys. I’d like to play more guys. As the year goes on, hopefully we can tap into more of that bench.”
Krystkowiak likes what he’s seeing from point guard Brandon Haddock in practice, but the Texas freshman’s time will come later.
Allen, who picks up the slack without Jones on both ends, again made the biggest impact on the outcome with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Gach had eight points and three assists.
“I thought we did an all right job with it. Rylan is somewhat of a calming, steadying influence that helps dictate the game for us, allows us to get out and run,” Krystkowiak said. “Missing any piece is difficult. I thought it was good for our other guys to have to unite and grow up and take care of it and try to do things collectively.”
That heavy load for the key cogs in the backcourt, no doubt, will be easier to get away with against a struggling Big Sky school than against the stiffer competition coming up, including neutral-site games against Kentucky and San Diego State followed by the beginning of the Pac-12 schedule.
Playing time and responsibility levels for Allen and Gach aren’t the only things that increase in Jones’ absence. The Utes’ height does, too. Jones is a fine height for a point guard at 6-foot even, but the Utes’ main rotation without him Saturday included five guys all 6-foot-5 and above. Brenchley was the shortest starter at 6-5, with Allen and Gach each measuring 6-foot-6. Throw in post players Battin (6-9) and Carlson (7-0), and that is a sizable group.
The Utes would prefer the advantages not involving height that a healthy Jones provides.
One of Jones’ most impressive contributions and statistics, Krystkowiak pointed out, comes on pick-and-roll plays. The Ute coach said the freshman helps his team score an average of 1.85 points per possession when he’s involved in the pick-and-roll. Krystkowiak called that amount “crazy,” so the sooner Jones returns the better. The Utes aren’t certain if he’ll be ready Wednesday for Kentucky in Las Vegas.
“We did miss it,” Krystkowiak said, “but we were fortunate to overcome it and get the win.”
Gach credited Jones for giving him and other teammates some helpful pointers in the game. That certainly wouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody who knows the young man.
“Rylan is already super cerebral when it comes to the game. He’s on the sideline paying close attention. He’s not going to miss much,” Krystkowiak said. “He’s got a smart dad coaching (Utah assistant Chris Jones). They talk about stuff at home. They talk about stuff at practice. He’s not one of the guys that I’m overly concerned about missing too much from a mental point of view.”