Non-Conference Preview: Utah’s rebooting, but will it bottom out?

Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports In June 2017, Missouri announced a home-and-home deal with Utah, a Pac 12 program not far removed from a Sweet 16 run and seemingly entrenched in the top of Ken Pomeroy’s ratings. Five months later, the Utes boat-raced the Tigers in Salt Lake City, whose overhauled roster was making its first road foray under Cuonzo Martin.

How long would MU have to wait for a return affair? Try four years. And when the Utes at long last fulfill their end of the bargain, they’ll arrive in Columbia in a much different state of affairs.

Since then, the Utes stalled out under coach Larry Krystkowiak, who went 45-42 overall, steadily sank to the bottom half of a weak power…