USC again starts slowly and can’t recover in its first home loss, 80-69 to Utah

For the first time all season, before Sunday’s game against Utah, USC’s coaching staff spoke with the team about its path to the NCAA tournament.

The Trojans have put themselves in a strong position. Still, the staff felt Sunday’s game was a crucial one.

“The coaches talked a lot about how today was a must-win game for us as far as tournament projections,” guard Julian Jacobs said after the game. He pursed his lips and looked at the floor. “Obviously we fell short,” he said.

USC led for less than a minute in its 80-69 loss to Utah, its first home loss all season. The Trojans have lost three of their last four games and now face two games on the road, where they have struggled.

About a week ago, Coach Andy Enfield said he thought it was too early for the team to worry itself about the NCAA tournament.

“It’s something we’ve never discussed, we won’t discuss, until the appropriate time,” Enfield said.

His philosophy has shifted. The Trojans (19-8, 8-6 in the Pac-12 Conference) remain in the field in every major tournament projection. But they want to avoid any surprises.

Jacobs said that “it’s imperative that we win out. Honestly, that’s our goal.”

First, USC must fix an interior defense that was gashed by Utah’s Jakob Poeltl and jump start an explosive offense that has sputtered lately.

Poeltl, a 7-foot forward, was the best player on the floor Sunday. In 29 minutes, he made 11 of 13 attempts for 29 points, tying a career high in conference play. He grabbed 13 rebounds. He also had four steals and four assists.

“It was the Jakob Poeltl show,” Jacobs said. “He’s a pro if I’ve ever seen one. He absolutely dominated us.”

On the postgame radio show, Enfield grew slightly agitated when asked what made Poeltl so difficult.

“If you watched the game, I’m sure you can figure it out,” Enfield said. “He’s pretty darn good.”

Utah scored 38 points in the paint and shot 53.6% from the field. Despite making 10 of 17 three-point attempts, USC could not keep apace.

For the second game in a row, the Trojans came out flat in the first half. Against Colorado on Wednesday, USC scored 29 points in the first 20 minutes. Against Utah (21-7, 10-5), it scored 30, 10 fewer than Utah.

“When you only have a 30-point half, that’s not the way we play,” Enfield said.

Jacobs called it unacceptable.

“I don’t know why we come out flat or wait until the second half to turn it up,” he said. “Today it cost us.”

Guard Jordan McLaughlin provided ample offense, with 20 points, and Jacobs and forward Bennie Boatwright each contributed 17. But forward Nikola Jovanovic scored four points and guard Katin Reinhardt mustered three. Sixth man Elijah Stewart scored just two points.

USC has now scored below its season average in five consecutive games. Enfield didn’t say whether he thought teams were adjusting to the Trojans’ up-tempo offense.

He did link USC’s offensive recession to its failure to draw fouls. USC shot just six free throws against the Utes.

The loss further damages USC’s chances at the Pac-12 title. The Trojans are two games behind Arizona and Oregon, with four games remaining.

Enfield, as he has all season, showed little frustration or animation after the game. USC still controls whether it earns a bye in the Pac-12 tournament by finishing in the top four in the conference standings.

McLaughlin said, “We feel like we’re right there.”

Only Jacobs showed frustration.

“It’s going to be a brutal film session,” he said.

zach.helfand@latimes.com