It was a bad weekend for the Utah (1-5) basketball team. The Runnin' Utes lost to Harvard (6-0), Massachusetts (5-2) and UNC Asheville (3-4) by scores of 75-47, 90-75 and 87-65 at the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas.
I don't have HDNet, so I wasn't able to actually watch any of the three games, but the scores speak for themselves. Harvard is actually a good team, believe it or not, and will probably be ranked this week. I'm not as well versed on UMass and UNC Asheville, but based on the Bulldogs' record, it doesn't appear that they are world beaters. UMass picked up their only win of the tournament against the Utes.
In looking at the statistics, it appears Utah actually had a pretty good shooting night against UMass. It's alarming that they still lost that game by 15 points. I don't give the Runnin' Utes much of a chance in their next game at Fresno State (2-4) on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT. Following this, Utah has four straight home games, three of which are against teams that one would think aren't exactly top notch. So, I'm hopeful that Utah can pick up a win or two in that stretch or this thing could get really ugly.
This Utah team appears to be much worse than last year, as last year's group actually was competitive in a number of games and posted a 13-18 record, including 7-7 in non-conference play. I can tell you right now that I will be shocked if Utah is anywhere near 7-7 going into Pac-12 play this year. Hopefully they can improve and pick a few wins, but as I've said before, it looks like it will be a long year.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Runnin' Utes blown out by Boise State
Utah (1-1) lost tonight at Boise State (2-0) by a score of 80-59. This win comes on the heels of the Runnin' Utes topping San Diego Christian College, an NAIA school, on Monday night by a score of 58-55.
I have not been impressed at all with the Utes so far this year. Honestly, they don't look like they know what they're doing out there. I know it's early, but this year's Utah team looks like the least talented Utes team I have ever seen -- not a good thing when entering the first year in the Pac-12. The team looks like it's playing pretty hard out there, they just don't look like they have a lot of talent.
Jiggy Watkins led the Utes with 19 points. Watkins so far has looked like by far the best Utah player. However, he can't do everything by himself. I expect more production from center Jason Washburn, who had 5 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes tonight. Sometimes I feel like Washburn just needs to play smarter. He's got talent, but he needs to keep his head in the game.
Look, I'm sure Utah will play better as the season goes on and the team gets more time to mesh and gel. So, we'll see if I'm overreacting. Maybe Boise State will turn out to be a better team than I'm expecting, but I still see tonight as an embarrassing loss. Larry Krystkowiak hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his first two games as head coach, but I'm willing to give him some time. I don't think the talent is all that great this year, as I alluded to. I think this team will get better, but this looks to have all the makings of a long year.
The Runnin' Utes host Montana State (1-1) on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. There is no television for the game, but you can watch a live stream of the game via utahutes.com
I have not been impressed at all with the Utes so far this year. Honestly, they don't look like they know what they're doing out there. I know it's early, but this year's Utah team looks like the least talented Utes team I have ever seen -- not a good thing when entering the first year in the Pac-12. The team looks like it's playing pretty hard out there, they just don't look like they have a lot of talent.
Jiggy Watkins led the Utes with 19 points. Watkins so far has looked like by far the best Utah player. However, he can't do everything by himself. I expect more production from center Jason Washburn, who had 5 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes tonight. Sometimes I feel like Washburn just needs to play smarter. He's got talent, but he needs to keep his head in the game.
Look, I'm sure Utah will play better as the season goes on and the team gets more time to mesh and gel. So, we'll see if I'm overreacting. Maybe Boise State will turn out to be a better team than I'm expecting, but I still see tonight as an embarrassing loss. Larry Krystkowiak hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his first two games as head coach, but I'm willing to give him some time. I don't think the talent is all that great this year, as I alluded to. I think this team will get better, but this looks to have all the makings of a long year.
The Runnin' Utes host Montana State (1-1) on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. There is no television for the game, but you can watch a live stream of the game via utahutes.com
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Penn State scandal
I just watched most of the Penn State-Nebraska game today (won by Nebraska 17-14). It was the first game in a long time for Penn State without head coach Joe Paterno, who was fired earlier this week amid a major scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Paterno and numerous other associated with Penn State appear to have failed to report disturbing sexual allegations against young boys committed by Sandusky.
The whole situation is sad to me. Sandusky appears to be a monster. After reading the grand jury report, it was just sickening what he appears to have done. And it's a problem that Paterno and receivers coach Mike McQueary knew about at least one allegation for several years and didn't report it to the police, even if they each informed their superiors at the university. Both Paterno and McQueary deserved what they got.
I don't think Paterno or McQueary necessarily meant for more crimes to be committed, but that's just something you have to report to the police. I feel a little bad for both of them (McQueary has been placed on administrative leave and I'll bet he never coaches another game at Penn State), but not even close to as bad as I feel for all of the victims. Who knows how many kids and their families were harmed by the actions of Sandusky and how many more in the years before the grand jury investigation when Paterno and McQueary had some knowledge of the situation. Stuff like that can affect people for the rest of their lives. That's the real tragedy.
The whole situation is sad to me. Sandusky appears to be a monster. After reading the grand jury report, it was just sickening what he appears to have done. And it's a problem that Paterno and receivers coach Mike McQueary knew about at least one allegation for several years and didn't report it to the police, even if they each informed their superiors at the university. Both Paterno and McQueary deserved what they got.
I don't think Paterno or McQueary necessarily meant for more crimes to be committed, but that's just something you have to report to the police. I feel a little bad for both of them (McQueary has been placed on administrative leave and I'll bet he never coaches another game at Penn State), but not even close to as bad as I feel for all of the victims. Who knows how many kids and their families were harmed by the actions of Sandusky and how many more in the years before the grand jury investigation when Paterno and McQueary had some knowledge of the situation. Stuff like that can affect people for the rest of their lives. That's the real tragedy.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Utah football takes on Arizona today
Utah (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12) football visits Arizona (2-6, 1-5 Pac-12) today at 5 p.m. MDT (Utah time). The game can be seen in Utah on KJZZ. The Utes looked better last week at home against Oregon State (2-6, 2-3 Pac-12), winning 27-8. The key to me was that Utah limited the mistakes on offense, particularly in the turnover department. This and some nice drives in the 2nd quarter allowed Utah to open up a big lead and cruise to victory.
However, I would like to see the offense move the ball more consistently; the second half against the Beavers was certainly nothing to write home about. But, the biggest key will again be to limit turnovers. The defense has played pretty well all year and I expect that to continue today. Arizona is a team Utah probably has more talent than and probably should beat, but that certainly is no guarantee, especially on the road. The offense, and particularly quarterback Jon Hays playing smart and limiting mistakes, will be the key to the game. Follow me on Twitter for in-game updates. Go Utes!
However, I would like to see the offense move the ball more consistently; the second half against the Beavers was certainly nothing to write home about. But, the biggest key will again be to limit turnovers. The defense has played pretty well all year and I expect that to continue today. Arizona is a team Utah probably has more talent than and probably should beat, but that certainly is no guarantee, especially on the road. The offense, and particularly quarterback Jon Hays playing smart and limiting mistakes, will be the key to the game. Follow me on Twitter for in-game updates. Go Utes!
Runnin' Utes drop exhibition to DII Adams State
The Utah Runnin' Utes (0-0) basketball team lost an exhibition game to Division II school Adams State (0-0) 61-60 last night at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. Freshman Kareem Story called a time-out that the Runnin' Utes didn't have with about 11 seconds left in a tie game and Adams State cashed in on one of the two resulting technical free throws. It leaves me with a sickening feeling to lose to a Division II school. On the bright side of things, the game was just an exhibition and therefore does not count against the team's record.
It makes me feel a little better that Butler, West Virginia and Arizona also lost exhibition games at home to similar type schools this preseason. However, it just isn't good form to lose to a DII school, even in a game that doesn't count. But, I'm going to try not to read too much into it for now. Coach Larry Krystkowiak said after the game that the phantom time-out was on the coaches; it sounded like it hadn't been discussed by the team. That shouldn't happen, the coaches should make sure the team knows there are no more time-outs, though the players should know this, too.
Utah opens up the regular season on Monday, November 14th against San Diego Christian College (0-0), an NAIA school. Adams State actually takes on Utah State (0-0) in Logan at 4 p.m. MT today in another exhibition game.
It makes me feel a little better that Butler, West Virginia and Arizona also lost exhibition games at home to similar type schools this preseason. However, it just isn't good form to lose to a DII school, even in a game that doesn't count. But, I'm going to try not to read too much into it for now. Coach Larry Krystkowiak said after the game that the phantom time-out was on the coaches; it sounded like it hadn't been discussed by the team. That shouldn't happen, the coaches should make sure the team knows there are no more time-outs, though the players should know this, too.
Utah opens up the regular season on Monday, November 14th against San Diego Christian College (0-0), an NAIA school. Adams State actually takes on Utah State (0-0) in Logan at 4 p.m. MT today in another exhibition game.
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