PAC-12 Basketball: 2020-21 breakout candidates from each team

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Mikael Jantunen #20, Branden Carlson #35, Both Gach #11, Jaxon Brenchley #5 and Timmy Allen #1 of the Utah Utes (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Utah Utes: Mikael Jantunen

The season may have ended on a down note for Utah Basketball when they lost in the PAC-12 tournament. Coach Larry Krystowiak, however, will get better news on June 3 when leading scorers; starting guard Both Gach and starting forward Timmy Allen withdraw their names from the NBA Draft.

The 2019-20 season was not ideal for coach Krystowiak as the Utes were on track to miss another NCAA Tournament appearance with a 7-11 conference record and eight-place finish. Running out the same starting five will not be enough to improve upon the sixth most effective offense and second-worst defense in the PAC-12. The most likely candidate in the starting line-up to be sacrificed is 6’9 forward Riley Batten and the one to replace him will be breakout 6’8 forward Mikael Jantunen.

The Utes half-court offense consisted of a lot of five-out sets, with 7’0 Brandon Carlson beyond the arc, either as a screen or for pressure relief. Battin’s contribution on offense is characterized by his 16% usage rate and six shots per game. Jantunen connected on three more field goals than Battin while attempting 63 fewer shots. In addition to the higher field goal percentage, Jantunen is better from the free-throw line.

The end of the floor that the Utes need the most help is the end of the floor that Jantunen stands above Battin. Jantunen will get more than his 23-minute average because of his effectiveness on defense. Going into 2020-21 Jantunen is the second leading rebounder and shot-blocker. His defense will keep him in the game, but his offense will see him breakout.

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