It took the University of Utah a couple of altered schedules, a canceled season-opener, and program-wide COVID-19 outbreak late last month to finally get on the Huntsman Center floor, but it finally got there.
Once there, coming out of the virus outbreak, what more could anyone have asked for out of the Utes? They defended, they dealt well with the University of Washington’s 2-3 zone. Alfonso Plummer played well, Timmy Allen was steady, freshman combo guard Pelle Larsson showed plenty of flashes of his budding potential.
When it was over, the Utes had been in control most of the way, capped by a thorough destruction of the Huskies in the second half on their way to a 76-62 victory in an empty Huntsman Center to finally start the season.
• Opening its season following a COVID-19 outbreak, Utah rolled to a 76-60 win over Washington at the Huntsman Center
• Senior guard Alfonso Plummer, making his first career start, led the Utes with 21 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
• Freshman combo guard Pelle Larsson debuted well, finishing with eight points and seven assists.
Plummer picked up where he left off late last season, shooting with confidence on his way to a game-high 21 points on 8-for-17 shooting and 4-for-11 from 3-point range. Allen added 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Larsson had eight points and seven assists in his collegiate debut.
Larsson, a Swedish national who played professionally in his home country last season, was especially good in the halfcourt against the zone, showing patience in helping the Utes to settle in after a rough first few minutes.
Utah’s unorthodox opener will lead to a more-manageable Tuesday matchup with Idaho State back at the Huntsman Center. Beyond that, trip to BYU looms on Dec. 12.
