PAC-12 Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season
By Andy Patton
The Utes lost versatile wing Both Gach to the transfer portal this offseason, but they return nearly every other impactful player this season – including Timmy Allen, who averaged 17.3 points per game last year and could be one of the top-scoring guards in the conference in 2020-2021.
Allen will be joined by returners Rylan Jones, Riley Battin, and Alfonso Plummer, who could all approach double-digit points per game.
The Utes also brought in a strong recruiting class, including three top-200 freshmen in combo guard Ian Martinez (112) forward Norbert Thelissen (187), and combo guard Pelle Larsson (194).
The loss of Gach will be felt primarily on the defensive end, however, and Utah’s lack of defensive instincts and overall size (none of their primary scorers are taller than 6’9) will likely be what prevents them from finishing in the top half of the conference.
Utah won’t be a fun matchup for opposing PAC-12 teams thanks to Allen and the rest of the team’s guards, but they should be able to work them in the paint – and it seems likely another season right around the .500 mark is in store for coach Larry Krystkowiak and his staff in 2020-2021.