It was nice to see Utah get a win in their final home game of the season after having such a rough year. The Utes knocked off a Stanford team that has won 19 games this year.
I remember when I was watching Utah get pounded by Boise State at the start of the season, analyst Joe Cravens remarked that when he used to coach against Larry Krystkowiak in the Big Sky that Krystkowiak's teams always seemed to be getting better. Cravens also said that there was no doubt in his mind that Krystkowiak was the right guy for the job at Utah.
I remember having my doubts at the time because the Runnin' Utes looked really bad that night in Boise. However, I will say that despite the lack of talent on this year's team, Utah has gotten better throughout the season. Also, they have been playing hard the last several games despite the numerous losses.
It seems that the future is probably bright for the Utes under Larry Krystkowiak. I'm excited for next season and for the end of this season. Utah is at Oregon State tomorrow night at 8 p.m. MT.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Carlon Brown returns to Utah
Utah (5-20, 2-11 Pac-12) hosts Colorado (17-8, 9-4 Pac-12) today at 3 p.m. MT on FSN and Root Sports affiliates. The big story in this one is that Colorado senior Carlon Brown will be returning to the Huntsman Center after spending his first three seasons of eligibility at Utah. Brown transferred after his junior season after a number of run-ins with then Utah coach Jim Boylen.
It's hard to know exactly what the circumstances were regarding Brown's departure, but I will say that it was apparent that he and Boylen were clearly not on the same page during Brown's junior year of 2009-2010. I remember when reading quotes after numerous games, that Brown and Boylen would say almost exactly the opposite things from each other. That's never a good sign.
Brown has said this week a number of the cliche things like he doesn't want to talk about it, it's just another game, etc. However, he has in my opinion slipped in a few things about Utah in a few of his comments. In remarks to the Deseret News, Brown said he felt he could be used better somewhere else than he was being used at Utah.
When asked about his rationale for transferring, Brown, following saying he didn't want to get into it, said that you would have to have been there to understand and used the word endure to describe film sessions. That makes me think that Boylen wasn't exactly being soft on his players. Particularly, it makes me think that Brown (and others, Marshall Henderson comes to mind) weren't very receptive to ways in which they could improve their games. It was clear watching that team that there was some disconnect and that the players didn't always buy in.
I also found it interesting that in comments to the Denver Post, Brown said he wouldn't have come to Colorado if former coach Jeff Bzdelik was still coaching the Buffaloes, saying he likes current coach Tad Boyle's system. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it sounds like Brown has a bit of his own agenda.
Granted, Brown is having a nice year, averaging almost exactly the same amount of points per game this year as he did in his junior year at Utah. He also doesn't seem like he wants to cause too much controversy in advance of today's game in Salt Lake City. However, I think his comments are telling about him as a player and also underlie some resentment toward his time at Utah.
I'm excited about the game today and it really would make this year a lot less painful for me if the Runnin' Utes could somehow pull out this game given Brown's return to the Huntsman Center. I'm hopeful the Utes can build on their encouraging performance at Arizona last Saturday.
It's hard to know exactly what the circumstances were regarding Brown's departure, but I will say that it was apparent that he and Boylen were clearly not on the same page during Brown's junior year of 2009-2010. I remember when reading quotes after numerous games, that Brown and Boylen would say almost exactly the opposite things from each other. That's never a good sign.
Brown has said this week a number of the cliche things like he doesn't want to talk about it, it's just another game, etc. However, he has in my opinion slipped in a few things about Utah in a few of his comments. In remarks to the Deseret News, Brown said he felt he could be used better somewhere else than he was being used at Utah.
When asked about his rationale for transferring, Brown, following saying he didn't want to get into it, said that you would have to have been there to understand and used the word endure to describe film sessions. That makes me think that Boylen wasn't exactly being soft on his players. Particularly, it makes me think that Brown (and others, Marshall Henderson comes to mind) weren't very receptive to ways in which they could improve their games. It was clear watching that team that there was some disconnect and that the players didn't always buy in.
I also found it interesting that in comments to the Denver Post, Brown said he wouldn't have come to Colorado if former coach Jeff Bzdelik was still coaching the Buffaloes, saying he likes current coach Tad Boyle's system. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it sounds like Brown has a bit of his own agenda.
Granted, Brown is having a nice year, averaging almost exactly the same amount of points per game this year as he did in his junior year at Utah. He also doesn't seem like he wants to cause too much controversy in advance of today's game in Salt Lake City. However, I think his comments are telling about him as a player and also underlie some resentment toward his time at Utah.
I'm excited about the game today and it really would make this year a lot less painful for me if the Runnin' Utes could somehow pull out this game given Brown's return to the Huntsman Center. I'm hopeful the Utes can build on their encouraging performance at Arizona last Saturday.
Body of work should govern NCAA selections
I'm checking out the BracketBusters right now, presently watching #24 Wichita State (23-4, 14-2 Missouri Valley) at Davidson (20-6, 14-2 Southern) on ESPN2. I think this BracketBuster idea has really turned into a good thing, giving teams from non-BCS conferences opportunities to improve their at-large resumes toward the end of the season. A win today for Davidson would give them a very compelling at-large case, as they would add a win against a quality, ranked opponent to their early season victory over Kansas in a de facto road game in Kansas City.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, a lot of bubble talk is abounding. I haven't read too much about it this year, but there is an issue that seems to come up annually. That issue is when a team loses without one of its top players in the line-up, it is almost given a pass with regard to earning an at-large bid or with regard to seeding.
It will be said something like, "Well, yes, Ohio State lost to Kansas, but it was on the road and they were missing Jared Sullinger." Oh, I'm sorry, but injuries are part of the game. Ohio State lost the game. Period. It should be considered with the rest of their resume. Suppose the Clippers were to finish a game out of the NBA Playoffs this year, but at the end of the season a committee were to get together and say "Well, Blake Griffin missed a number of games and so did Chris Paul, so really the Clippers were a better team than their record, so let's put them in the Playoffs ahead of someone else." How ridiculous would that be?
I get that the NCAA Tournament selection process will always be subjective and I'm fine with that. But, injuries are part of the game and only wins, losses and quality of competition, etc. should be considered. The flip side of the argument is true as well. If a team were to compile a great record with a player, but then said player were to get injured just before the Tournament, the rest of the team shouldn't be punished. The body of work should be rewarded. Injuries happen every year. It's just part of the game.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, a lot of bubble talk is abounding. I haven't read too much about it this year, but there is an issue that seems to come up annually. That issue is when a team loses without one of its top players in the line-up, it is almost given a pass with regard to earning an at-large bid or with regard to seeding.
It will be said something like, "Well, yes, Ohio State lost to Kansas, but it was on the road and they were missing Jared Sullinger." Oh, I'm sorry, but injuries are part of the game. Ohio State lost the game. Period. It should be considered with the rest of their resume. Suppose the Clippers were to finish a game out of the NBA Playoffs this year, but at the end of the season a committee were to get together and say "Well, Blake Griffin missed a number of games and so did Chris Paul, so really the Clippers were a better team than their record, so let's put them in the Playoffs ahead of someone else." How ridiculous would that be?
I get that the NCAA Tournament selection process will always be subjective and I'm fine with that. But, injuries are part of the game and only wins, losses and quality of competition, etc. should be considered. The flip side of the argument is true as well. If a team were to compile a great record with a player, but then said player were to get injured just before the Tournament, the rest of the team shouldn't be punished. The body of work should be rewarded. Injuries happen every year. It's just part of the game.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Runnin' Utes still winless on the road
The Runnin' Utes lost to Arizona State on the road tonight in a close one. First off, I could have sworn that this game started at 8:30 p.m. MT. I thought that's what I heard all week, including at the Coach's Show on Monday night. Well, it started at 6:30 MT and as a result, I didn't realize it was going on until there were about 12 minutes or so left.
I was able to watch the end via an online feed on foxsportsarizona.com. Utah looked sloppy for a little while and it just made its push too late. Kareem Storey banked in a three to make things interesting toward the end, but the Sun Devils pulled it out. Utah looks to me like it will finish the season without a road win. Next up is another road one at Arizona on Saturday at noon MT (I think), a game which will be televised on Root Sports.
9:26 p.m.: Back on here, come to think of it, they may have said 6:30 at the Coaches Show on Monday, although I may have thought was incorrect at the time. I still thought I had previously seen 8:30 on utahutes.com. I guess I will need to do better at double-checking, particularly the day of the game. Quite a frustrating situation.
I was able to watch the end via an online feed on foxsportsarizona.com. Utah looked sloppy for a little while and it just made its push too late. Kareem Storey banked in a three to make things interesting toward the end, but the Sun Devils pulled it out. Utah looks to me like it will finish the season without a road win. Next up is another road one at Arizona on Saturday at noon MT (I think), a game which will be televised on Root Sports.
9:26 p.m.: Back on here, come to think of it, they may have said 6:30 at the Coaches Show on Monday, although I may have thought was incorrect at the time. I still thought I had previously seen 8:30 on utahutes.com. I guess I will need to do better at double-checking, particularly the day of the game. Quite a frustrating situation.
Super Bowl thoughts
The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 21-17, in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday. My thoughts after this one are that the Giants definitely have the Patriots' number. I also think that there shouldn't be any more Eli Manning doubters. Manning has proved again that he is a clutch player and now he has two Super Bowl wins (both against the Patriots) and two Super Bowl MVPs. He is a great quarterback.
What a catch by Mario Manningham. The whole thing had to be eerily reminiscent of Super Bowl XLII for Patriots fans. I couldn't believe all the similarities between the two games: a great catch on the winning drive for the Giants, and a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute. I'm not a Giants fan, but it was all beautiful to me because I just can't stand the Patriots. Good stuff, I'm quite happy with how it all turned out.
What a catch by Mario Manningham. The whole thing had to be eerily reminiscent of Super Bowl XLII for Patriots fans. I couldn't believe all the similarities between the two games: a great catch on the winning drive for the Giants, and a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute. I'm not a Giants fan, but it was all beautiful to me because I just can't stand the Patriots. Good stuff, I'm quite happy with how it all turned out.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Super Bowl pick
My pick for the Super Bowl is Giants 31 Patriots 28. I think both teams are good, but I think the Giants just have the "it" factor in this match-up. I think it will be a competitive game and should be fun to watch, particularly as both teams don't seem to like each other. Follow me on my Twitter handle for in-game updates and I will be back on here blogging post-game analysis. In case you didn't know, the game is scheduled to kick-off at 4:29 p.m. MT and will be broadcast on NBC.
Runnin' Utes update
The Utah Runnin' Utes got swept by the Oregon schools this weekend. The Runnin' Utes hung with Oregon and actually had led by 8 and still had the lead with 6 minutes to go, but it appeared the Utes just ran out of steam. The Ducks looked much deeper and were able to keep pressure applied to Utah, who was going with a short rotation.
Today against Oregon State, the Beavers jumped out to a double digit lead in the first half. It looked like the Utes weren't playing with enough defensive intensity and were certainly hurt by starters Kareem Storey and Dijon Farr being in foul trouble and having to sit out much of the half. The Utes were able to play with the Beavers in the second half, but just got into too big of a hole.
I think Utah could still win a couple more games this year, but they will have to play hard for 40 minutes and stay out of foul trouble. I've heard coach Larry Krystkowiak has a solid recruiting class coming in and that couple with a few key cogs returning should help the Utes be deeper and more competitive next year. Unfortunately, it's been a painful rebuilding season for Utah. The Runnin' Utes visit Arizona State next Thursday night and Arizona next Saturday.
Today against Oregon State, the Beavers jumped out to a double digit lead in the first half. It looked like the Utes weren't playing with enough defensive intensity and were certainly hurt by starters Kareem Storey and Dijon Farr being in foul trouble and having to sit out much of the half. The Utes were able to play with the Beavers in the second half, but just got into too big of a hole.
I think Utah could still win a couple more games this year, but they will have to play hard for 40 minutes and stay out of foul trouble. I've heard coach Larry Krystkowiak has a solid recruiting class coming in and that couple with a few key cogs returning should help the Utes be deeper and more competitive next year. Unfortunately, it's been a painful rebuilding season for Utah. The Runnin' Utes visit Arizona State next Thursday night and Arizona next Saturday.
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