If there was any doubt left over Utah’s explosive rise to the top this season, it was erased once and for all this past Saturday, on their home floor, after their last regular-season game.
The Utes grabbed a share of the Pac-12 title with a tenacious victory over conference stalwart Stanford, marking their first conference title and just their second victory in program history over the Cardinal. The gutsy win showcased how the team has made their surprising rise to new heights.
Utah led Stanford from midway through a dominant 25-17 second quarter, but were challenged late in the game by a 10-2 Cardinal run that cut their lead to 1. Far from collapsing under pressure, sophomore Giana Kneepkens drained a three out of a timeout, and the defense forced their opponents into three consecutive turnovers in the final minute to seal the 84-78 win.
Yet, as Utah ascended to a No. 3 ranking for the first time in school history this week, there are still doubters. But coach Lynne Roberts accepts the reality of being underrated, and even welcomes it.
“I kind of love it because you have to have a chip on your shoulder,” she said. “People still don’t think we’re legit.”
“It’s like OK, bring it on. And, you know, we have a whole roster and players and the staff that loves the lack of respect and just kind of the patting you on the head like, ‘Oh, you guys are pretty good, huh?’ And we’re like, ‘OK, sure.’”
Confidence, timely shooting, and sterling defense have driven a very young team – five sophomores and three juniors log double-digit minutes- to a possible No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. (The latest NCAA Tournament Reveal made the Utes a top seed, by far the best in their history).
Utah finished regular-season play 25-3, and 15-3 in the Pac-12. But until recently, they have received no respect. Not a single one of their games have been nationally televised, while the other projected No. 1 seeds participated in 19 national TV games. (South Carolina-10; Indiana-4; Stanford-5).
Two seasons ago the Utes won just five games, while last season they surged to 21 victories, making the NCAA tournament and losing in the second round. Significantly, only two current team members – Kelsey Rees and Peyton McFarland – experienced that forgettable losing season, but eight were part of last year’s surge. That winning ethos is driving this season’s talented team.
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