SALT LAKE CITY — On a night where Utah’s offense sputtered for long periods of time in a 64-56 overtime win over Stanford, the Utes’ defense helped win the game.
Utah held Stanford, which entered the Huntsman Center averaging 71 points per game, to just 56 in one of Utah’s best defensive performances of the season. Prior to Thursday’s game, Utah had been giving up 71.2 points per game.
“It was a little bit of a chess match, trying to switch the way we covered it, to throw them a different pitch.” — Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak
Head coach Larry Krystkowiak said that Stanford’s offense, with its disguised looks, is hard to predict and plan for. The Utes had two or three different game plans for dealing with the Cardinal’s offense.
Stanford’s players are adept at identifying how the opposing team is guarding its pick-and-rolls and trying to take advantage of that, so Utah had to be prepared with multiple different looks.
“It was a little bit of a chess match, trying to switch the way we covered it, to throw them a different pitch,” Krystkowiak said.
Stanford’s two main scoring options, Tyrell Terry and Oscar da Silva, both were averaging 15.4 points per game before the game. Utah did a good job guarding da Silva, in particular, holding him to eight points on 4 of 12 shooting, while Terry scored 14 points and went 5 of 16 from the field. Utah also held Spencer Jones to six points on 2 of 7 shooting.
“Guys did a good job locking in on shooters. No. 14 (Jones) is as good of a freshman shooter that we’ve had in the league and that’s what he does. Short of the end out-of-bounds play that Jaxon (Brenchley) kind of fell asleep on, we did a really good job of having a hand in his face,” Krystkowiak said.
Krystkowiak said that 25% of Stanford’s points are scored in transition and the Utes were able to defend the Cardinal well during those opportunities. Stanford had just seven fast-break points on Thursday, which was only 13% of their points.
“We did a nice job getting back and, as we put it, put the fire out and then deal with their secondary offense. That’s always something that’s had a powerful impact for them and I think some of the attitude and getting on the road takes a little bit out of their plan,” Krystkowiak said.
Krystkowiak had to be pleased with the group’s overall defense effort, especially after allowing 73 points on nearly 50% shooting against UCLA during Utah’s last game.
“It was just a good old-fashioned shell defensive night, get down in a stance, be physical and guard and try and get a hand up,” Krystkowiak said.
Anchoring Utah’s defense was Ute freshman Branden Carlson, who did his best Rudy Gobert impression on Thursday night — turning the Huntsman Center into Swat Lake City.
Carlson scored 15 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had an outstanding eight blocks to lead Utah to a 64-56 overtime win against Stanford. Carlson’s 15 points were a career high, along with his eight blocks. His 10 rebounds tied a career high for the freshman. His eight blocks tied Jason Washburn for the third-most blocks in a single game in school history.
Carlson’s defense proved to be huge throughout the night. Along with his eight blocks, Carlson’s presence at the rim forced Stanford to change their shots, especially late in the game.
“That was a big deal. All of the coaches are on him a lot for blocking shots, changing the game at the rim, and he definitely did that tonight. It was huge for us. They had some hesitation at the rim. When they did shoot it, he sent it back,” Brenchley said.