SALT LAKE CITY On a Monday podcast with college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, new Utah coach Craig Smith said he wants to make the Utes perennial NCAA Tournament contenders. Our goal is to to get to the NCAA Tournament, Smith told Rothstein on the College Hoops Today podcast. How are we going to do it? I don t know yet. That road will take its course.
The one-time NAIA championship contender and South Dakota coach knows a thing or two about qualifying for the NCAA Tournament; he did so in three straight seasons at Utah State, making two overall appearances in three years (the other was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
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Riley Battin exits portal, returning to Utah hoops
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Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Just days after the Utes named Craig Smith as their head basketball coach, they are preparing to welcome back a player who had entered the portal. Riley Battin made it known on Twitter that he will be back under Smith and playing for the Utes this next season.
Battin will be a welcome addition back to the team, as he has good size, good shooting, and can really spread the floor. I think he is the kind of guy that Smith really will like because of his shooting. He only averaged just shy of 7 points per game this past season, but I think he could have a major role with this team as they try to figure out the style of play.
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