Utah (13-16, 6-9 MWC) hosts UNLV (22-7, 10-5 MWC) Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. MT at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. The game will be televised on Versus. It will be Senior Day for the Runnin' Utes' only senior, forward Jay Watkins. J-Wat has been sidelined with a back injury and is unlikely to play in this contest. However, from my experience, he is a really cool guy and seems to be really good for team chemistry. Not to mention being a good rebounder and low-post presence on both ends of the floor. And on top of all that, he came over to the MUSS and gave me a fist bump before a game once this season. So his coolness is off the charts for that. Hopefully people will show up to support J-Wat and the Utes in the last home game of the season.
Utah lost a tough one Wednesday at Colorado State (19-10, 9-6 MWC) to snap the Utes' three-game winning streak. I was hopeful the Runnin' Utes could win that one and finish out the regular season at .500, but it was not to be, as CSU significantly outplayed them in the 2nd half. However, Utah needs to put that behind them and come out ready to go against the Runnin' Rebels. UNLV is a good team, but, if you ask me, not a great team. If Utah plays well, they should have a chance to win the game.
Utah needs to put it together now with focus and effort for a full 40 minutes, the season is running out. If the Utes win and New Mexico (19-11, 7-8 MWC) defeats Air Force (15-13, 6-9 MWC) in Albuquerque (likely) then Utah would get the six-seed in next week's Mountain West Conference Tournament. Any other combination from the two games and it's the seven-seed and a likely first-round match-up with ninth-ranked San Diego State. Of course, the six most likely means a first round match-up with UNLV on their home court. So, it won't be easy. But if Utah is to salvage what has been a rough season, it has to be done. I'll be on the scene tweeting from the UNLV game and back on the blog afterward for recap and analysis.
Showing posts with label Colorado State Rams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado State Rams. Show all posts
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Runnin' Utes fall to CSU
Utah (13-16, 6-9 MWC) lost at Colorado State (19-10, 9-6 MWC) tonight by a score of 78-65. Utah played well in spurts but just did not have the consistency and mental toughness that are necessary to win on the road. Utah next hosts UNLV (22-7, 10-5 MWC) at the Huntsman Center. A loss there and there would be a good chance that the Utes would have to face #9 San Diego State in the first round of the MWC Tournament next week. A win and there is the possibility that Utah will have to face the Runnin' Rebels again on their home floor in the first round of the MWC Tournament. These scenarios are more likely if New Mexico holds on to their 20 point lead at #3 BYU tonight with under 9 minutes to go in the game. Again, a lot can happen and we'll have to see how things shake out. But it would be really nice to finish out this tough regular season with a home win.
I thought Utah could give CSU a better game than they did tonight; I'm disappointed in a lot of ways. I thought the Runnin' Utes would play with more poise and at least make it a close game. It was disappointing in a lot of ways. Utah just needs to try and right the ship in the last game and then look at how the match-ups shake out for the MWC Tournament and try to make the most of it. Utah needs to figure out how to play with poise all the time and play complete games -- they are running out of time to do this. The modest 3-game win streak was nice, but if they don't win again this season it will still be a disappointment. There is work still left to do.
I don't care for a lot about The Mtn., but I do have to admit I have become rather fond of announcer Dave Bolwinkel, who is currently calling the BYU-New Mexico game. Bolwinkel gives some really great insights and his passion for the game makes him fun to listen to. I can't believe the lead New Mexico has right now, we'll see if this holds up.
I thought Utah could give CSU a better game than they did tonight; I'm disappointed in a lot of ways. I thought the Runnin' Utes would play with more poise and at least make it a close game. It was disappointing in a lot of ways. Utah just needs to try and right the ship in the last game and then look at how the match-ups shake out for the MWC Tournament and try to make the most of it. Utah needs to figure out how to play with poise all the time and play complete games -- they are running out of time to do this. The modest 3-game win streak was nice, but if they don't win again this season it will still be a disappointment. There is work still left to do.
I don't care for a lot about The Mtn., but I do have to admit I have become rather fond of announcer Dave Bolwinkel, who is currently calling the BYU-New Mexico game. Bolwinkel gives some really great insights and his passion for the game makes him fun to listen to. I can't believe the lead New Mexico has right now, we'll see if this holds up.
Runnin' Utes visit CSU tonight
Utah (13-15, 6-8 MWC) visits Colorado State (18-10, 8-6 MWC) tonight at 7:15 p.m. MT on the CBS College Sports Network. The Runnin' Utes have won three in a row, but a win in this one would help to legitimize the recent turnaround. The game is also crucial in terms of conference positioning as the Utes need to try and avoid falling to the #7 position which would almost certainly mean a match-up with 9th-ranked San Diego State in the first round. I'll be tweeting updates during the game and be back on the blog afterward for recap and analysis. I'm pretty pumped up for this one and rather optimistic that Utah can play well. Go Utes!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Runnin' Utes drop ugly contest
Utah (10-12, 3-5 MWC) lost at UNLV (17-5, 5-3 MWC) last night 67-54. Utah shot just 29.8 percent from the field and an embarrassing 56 percent from the free-throw line. UNLV didn't shoot the cover off the ball either, shooting 36.9 percent from the field and 63 percent on free throws. Quintrell Thomas led the Runnin' Rebels with 15 points and Carlos Lopez had 14. Will Clyburn of the Runnin' Utes led all scorers with 17 points and Josh Watkins had 15.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know that this was one of the more painful games I've ever watched. I don't say that just as a Utah fan, but as a big fan of college basketball in general. Both teams executed poorly on offense, but Utah was definitely the worse of the two teams, turning the ball over 17 times. Both teams played solid defense, but the Runnin' Utes especially just looked sloppy throughout the game.
With the defense as good as it was, I felt Utah could have done a lot more to be competitive in this game and perhaps even come away with a victory, but you'll be hard pressed to find a team win a game with as poor of an offensive showing as Utah had. The Utes return home for a must-win game Saturday night against Air Force (12-9, 3-5 MWC), with whom they are tied for sixth place in the conference. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT and the game will be televised on the Mtn.
UNLV will be in Provo on Saturday afternoon to face #8 BYU (21-2, 7-1 MWC) at 2 p.m. MT on Versus. The Cougars escaped Wyoming last night with a 69-62 victory despite a game effort from the Cowboys (8-14, 1-7 MWC). Jimmer Fredette had a huge conventional 3 point play with under a minute to go and BYU up just one point that pretty much sealed the game. It was just another clutch play from Fredette. #7 San Diego State (22-1, 7-1 MWC) kept pace in the conference with a 56-54 win at Colorado State (15-7, 5-3 MWC) that came when D.J. Gay knocked down a jumper with under two seconds left. With so much exciting happening in the Mountain West, it's too bad that Utah couldn't play a more exciting, competitive game.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know that this was one of the more painful games I've ever watched. I don't say that just as a Utah fan, but as a big fan of college basketball in general. Both teams executed poorly on offense, but Utah was definitely the worse of the two teams, turning the ball over 17 times. Both teams played solid defense, but the Runnin' Utes especially just looked sloppy throughout the game.
With the defense as good as it was, I felt Utah could have done a lot more to be competitive in this game and perhaps even come away with a victory, but you'll be hard pressed to find a team win a game with as poor of an offensive showing as Utah had. The Utes return home for a must-win game Saturday night against Air Force (12-9, 3-5 MWC), with whom they are tied for sixth place in the conference. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT and the game will be televised on the Mtn.
UNLV will be in Provo on Saturday afternoon to face #8 BYU (21-2, 7-1 MWC) at 2 p.m. MT on Versus. The Cougars escaped Wyoming last night with a 69-62 victory despite a game effort from the Cowboys (8-14, 1-7 MWC). Jimmer Fredette had a huge conventional 3 point play with under a minute to go and BYU up just one point that pretty much sealed the game. It was just another clutch play from Fredette. #7 San Diego State (22-1, 7-1 MWC) kept pace in the conference with a 56-54 win at Colorado State (15-7, 5-3 MWC) that came when D.J. Gay knocked down a jumper with under two seconds left. With so much exciting happening in the Mountain West, it's too bad that Utah couldn't play a more exciting, competitive game.
Monday, January 31, 2011
New Mexico pulls off upset of #8 BYU
#8 BYU (20-2, 6-1 MWC) followed up their win over #7 San Diego State (21-1, 6-1) with a loss at New Mexico (15-7, 3-4 MWC) on Saturday by a score of 86-77. Freshman Tony Snell hit 3 big shots for the Lobos down the stretch to help them pull away and send the sell-out crowd in Albuquerque into a frenzy. Snell and fellow freshman Kendall Williams each had 16 points for New Mexico.
Player of the Year candidate Jimmer Fredette of BYU led all scorers with 32 points, but seemed to wear down in the closing minutes, missing shots that I'm not used to seeing him miss. To be fair, Fredette still scored 32 points and still shot a very solid percentage. It may have just proved that Fredette is human after all, but I think fatigue did get to him a little bit. New Mexico was able to whether the storm of Fredette's and BYU's potent scoring attack and hang around in the game. Down the stretch, the Lobos were able to make the plays necessary to win.
The win was much needed for New Mexico, who perhaps played with a bit more desperation knowing they couldn't afford to drop another conference game. They also undoubtedly fed off the emotion from the crowd. The Lobos are still a bubble team when it comes to NCAA Tournament considerations, but this win certainly gives them a very much needed quality win that could help them on Selection Sunday. New Mexico will have to play a bit more consistently as the 2nd half of conference play approaches if they are going to feel good about their Tournament chances.
BYU is still a really good team that is a lock for the Tournament and at worst will finish second in the Mountain West this year. The Pit is a really tough place to play and a lot of teams lose there, so it's not a totally shocking loss. It really appears to be a two team race between them and San Diego State at this point, although Colorado State (15-6, 5-2 MWC) could make things a bit more interesting with a home win over the Aztecs on Wednesday (7 p.m. MT, CBS College Sports). BYU next plays at Wyoming (8-13, 1-6 MWC) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. MT on the Mtn. The Cowboys are coming off a 96-57 loss at SDSU on Saturday. New Mexico next plays tomorrow night at Air Force (12-8, 3-4 MWC) at 6 p.m. MT on the Mtn.
Player of the Year candidate Jimmer Fredette of BYU led all scorers with 32 points, but seemed to wear down in the closing minutes, missing shots that I'm not used to seeing him miss. To be fair, Fredette still scored 32 points and still shot a very solid percentage. It may have just proved that Fredette is human after all, but I think fatigue did get to him a little bit. New Mexico was able to whether the storm of Fredette's and BYU's potent scoring attack and hang around in the game. Down the stretch, the Lobos were able to make the plays necessary to win.
The win was much needed for New Mexico, who perhaps played with a bit more desperation knowing they couldn't afford to drop another conference game. They also undoubtedly fed off the emotion from the crowd. The Lobos are still a bubble team when it comes to NCAA Tournament considerations, but this win certainly gives them a very much needed quality win that could help them on Selection Sunday. New Mexico will have to play a bit more consistently as the 2nd half of conference play approaches if they are going to feel good about their Tournament chances.
BYU is still a really good team that is a lock for the Tournament and at worst will finish second in the Mountain West this year. The Pit is a really tough place to play and a lot of teams lose there, so it's not a totally shocking loss. It really appears to be a two team race between them and San Diego State at this point, although Colorado State (15-6, 5-2 MWC) could make things a bit more interesting with a home win over the Aztecs on Wednesday (7 p.m. MT, CBS College Sports). BYU next plays at Wyoming (8-13, 1-6 MWC) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. MT on the Mtn. The Cowboys are coming off a 96-57 loss at SDSU on Saturday. New Mexico next plays tomorrow night at Air Force (12-8, 3-4 MWC) at 6 p.m. MT on the Mtn.
CSU snaps Utes' 3 game win streak
Colorado State (15-6, 5-2 MWC) defeated Utah (10-11, 3-4 MWC) 74-68 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday afternoon. Utah's 3 game winning streak came to an end, and Colorado State picked up another impressive win in conference play. The Rams are proving to be a lot better than I thought they would be before the season started and very well could finish third in the conference and may even have a shot at an NCAA Tournament berth, although they would do well to collect at least one or two more quality wins for the selection committee to consider.
CSU center Andy Ogide led all scorers with 28 points and added 10 rebounds as well. Ogide was solid down low and also showed some range with his jump shot. He really punished Utah for not double teaming him for much of the afternoon. It was a very impressive performance. I'd like to see a different defensive strategy employed by the Runnin' Utes the next time they play Colorado State. Will Clyburn led Utah with 19 points, including a very strong 2nd half.
All that being said, I still think Utah is good enough talent wise to win at home against Colorado State. The Rams are a good team and have playing with growing consistency as the season has worn on. Utah's play Saturday was kind of a microcosm of their season so far: they were good in spurts but not quite consistent enough. Utah overcame an 11 point 2nd half deficit to tie the score at 68 with about 3 minutes to go, but as you can see from the final score, the Rams were able to take control from there. Colorado State was definitely the better team after 40 minutes and deserved to win. Utah needed to make more plays. The plays are there to be made, the players are there to make them.
It's up to the coaching staff to stop this losing streak at one. I know the Runnin' Utes won't be favored in at least five of their remaining conference games, but they have to find ways to get wins. There is a favorite saying of mine by longtime NFL coach Bill Parcells that "You are what your record says you are." Utah is 10-11 and 3-4 in conference play, tied for 5th in the MWC. That's not good enough right now for a program with as much of a proud tradition and prestige as Utah has. I'm willing to be patient and wait until the end of the season, but a losing record in conference play will not sit well with me, I can tell you that right now. I don't care if the Utes aren't favored, they need to find ways to win games. I think it's still possible for the team to make strides and get things done (as was evidenced by the 3 game winning streak) and I will be rooting for that, you can be sure. Utah next plays at UNLV (16-5, 4-3 MWC) on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. MT on the Mtn.
CSU center Andy Ogide led all scorers with 28 points and added 10 rebounds as well. Ogide was solid down low and also showed some range with his jump shot. He really punished Utah for not double teaming him for much of the afternoon. It was a very impressive performance. I'd like to see a different defensive strategy employed by the Runnin' Utes the next time they play Colorado State. Will Clyburn led Utah with 19 points, including a very strong 2nd half.
All that being said, I still think Utah is good enough talent wise to win at home against Colorado State. The Rams are a good team and have playing with growing consistency as the season has worn on. Utah's play Saturday was kind of a microcosm of their season so far: they were good in spurts but not quite consistent enough. Utah overcame an 11 point 2nd half deficit to tie the score at 68 with about 3 minutes to go, but as you can see from the final score, the Rams were able to take control from there. Colorado State was definitely the better team after 40 minutes and deserved to win. Utah needed to make more plays. The plays are there to be made, the players are there to make them.
It's up to the coaching staff to stop this losing streak at one. I know the Runnin' Utes won't be favored in at least five of their remaining conference games, but they have to find ways to get wins. There is a favorite saying of mine by longtime NFL coach Bill Parcells that "You are what your record says you are." Utah is 10-11 and 3-4 in conference play, tied for 5th in the MWC. That's not good enough right now for a program with as much of a proud tradition and prestige as Utah has. I'm willing to be patient and wait until the end of the season, but a losing record in conference play will not sit well with me, I can tell you that right now. I don't care if the Utes aren't favored, they need to find ways to win games. I think it's still possible for the team to make strides and get things done (as was evidenced by the 3 game winning streak) and I will be rooting for that, you can be sure. Utah next plays at UNLV (16-5, 4-3 MWC) on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. MT on the Mtn.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Utes drop Pokes 30-6
The 11th-ranked Utah Utes (6-0, 3-0 MWC) football team defeated the Wyoming Cowboys 30-6 (2-5, 0-3 MWC) Saturday afternoon in Laramie. The Utes put this one away in the 2nd quarter and led 23-0 at halftime. Matt Asiata looked sharper than he has all year and he may be more fully recovering from his torn ACL he suffered last year. Eddie Wide didn't get a lot of touches early but had an effective game. Jordan Wynn was pretty good and had a nifty 45 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter on a flea flicker to a wide open Luke Matthews. I thought there was room for improvement for the Utes but the important thing is to get the 'W' and climb in the polls. The Pokes are not a very good team so a win like this was expected, the only real question was how large the margin would be. Utah faces Colorado State (2-5, 1-2 MWC) next Saturday at 4 p.m. MT at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
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