Utah Utes: Five Takeaways From Their Survival Victory over the Duke Blue Devils

(Photo: Jennifer Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)

Kyle Kuzma had a Coming Out Party

Utah’s Kyle Kuzma looks the part when you see him on the basketball court.

He is 6-foot-9, 221 lbs., and has the wingspan to go along with it.

He came into this contest against Duke with averages of 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. But for people who have seen him play multiple times, you always felt like he could be a little more assertive and bring a little more to the table.

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Well in Madison Square Garden Kyle Kuzma played like he was the first option in the offense, playing with confidence and assertiveness en route to logging 21 points and eight rebounds.

He hit 9 of 19 from the floor in this game in 32 minutes of work and every shot that he took was within the offense so no one can say that he was playing outside of himself.

Next: Duke Blue Devils: Three Things to Look for Versus the Utah Utes

As much as the Utah Utes are going to need Jakob Poeltl to play big for them in March, and will need Jordan Loveridge to come up huge in bug spots, Kyle Kuzma is another player who is capable of being a force for the Utes.

If Kuzma brings his game consistently the Utes will have a legit “Dynamic Duo” and possible “Big Three” that will be very hard to deal with in the Pac-12.