Utah looks to improve in its third season in the tough Pac-12

SALT LAKE CITY – Climbing the basketball ladder in the Pac-12 Conference has not been an easy task for Utah.

Year one was all about survival. Year two centered on becoming more competitive. Now in their third season, the Utes feel ready to take a major leap forward.

Utah is eager to prove last season's strong finish — which featured a run to the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals — is merely an opening chapter for an even greater success story this season.

Sophomore forward Jordan Loveridge says the Utes feel they have a lot more talent and are bigger this year. He says all of his teammates have the ultimate goal of winning more games after last season's 15-18 finish.