Seattle, Wash. • The Utes decided to start off Thursday’s game by trying to beat Washington at it’s own game.
Utah stuck to its recent trend of relying on zone defense to stifle opponents. That adjustment in recent weeks has helped the Utes hold their previous three opponent to an average of 56.7 points per game.
“It’s not just our team, I think it’s kind of gotten crazy in the Pac-12, maybe [Mike] Hopkins is responsible,” Utes coach Larry Krystkowiak quipped earlier this week, referring to Washington’s first-year coach. “It’s contagious — bringing that zone from Syracuse.