Runnin' Utes blown out by UNLV in home finale

Utah (13-17, 6-10 MWC) dropped their final regular season Mountain West Conference game on Saturday at home to UNLV (23-7, 11-5 MWC) by a score of 78-58. The Rebels jumped out to a huge lead early and never looked back. Utah trailed 47-22 at halftime in what was probably the worst half the Runnin' Utes have played all season. Tre'Von Willis, Oscar Bellfield and Quintrell Thomas all had 12 points for UNLV. Jiggy Watkins of Utah led all scorers with 18 points while Jason Washburn had 12 and Chris Hines 10.

It was a disappointing home finale and I don't exactly have a reason for it. Utah just looked bad in all phases of the game for the opening 20 minutes. At least in the first meeting in Las Vegas, both teams seemed to struggle in an ugly game. UNLV came out sharp in this one, shooting well, playing strong defense and doing a good job on the defensive glass. They looked like a team very ready for the NCAA Tournament.

For whatever reason, the Utes just haven't been able to play many complete games this year. I will say they kept playing hard and didn't appear to quit, but UNLV is just too good of a team to give a 27 point lead (they were able to cut it to as low as 16) and expect to win against. I do think it says something about the character of the guys for continuing to play hard, it's just frustrating that they didn't play better to start the game. Again, I think Utah could have given them a competitive game, but the first half doomed the Utes. Utah just didn't come out with the right energy and attitude. It was very frustrating. Utah's loss ensures them the 7-seed in the MWC Tournament in Las Vegas starting Thursday, meaning they get a first round match-up with #9 San Diego State.

Jay Watkins dressed for the game and was able to play one possession toward the end of the game. I went into detail in my post last night about how great J-Wat has been for the program, so I was glad that he was able to get into the game despite his lingering back injury. He was a guy who really got it and was in touch with the fan base. I was among the students he gave a high-five to after the game -- a really classy move after such a tough loss. He also took a sign that said "The MUSS loves Jay Watkins" with him and seemed genuinely touched by it. Really cool stuff.

In other MWC games on Saturday, #3 BYU (28-3, 14-2 MWC) and #9 San Diego State (29-2, 14-2 MWC) both won at home to earn a share of the conference title. The conference tournament field is all set now, with tie-breakers being taken into account. Here's how it sets up for the first round on Thursday, with seedings noted (BYU gets the winner of the play-in game Wednesday):

(1) BYU (28-3, 14-2 MWC) vs. (8) Wyoming (10-20, 3-13 MWC)/(9) TCU (10-21, 1-15 MWC), 1 p.m. MT
(4) Colorado State (19-11, 9-7 MWC) vs. (5) New Mexico (20-11, 8-8 MWC), 3:30 p.m. MT
(2) San Diego State (29-2, 14-2 MWC) vs. (7) Utah (13-17, 6-10 MWC), 7 p.m. MT
(3) UNLV (23-7, 11-5 MWC) vs. (6) Air Force (15-14, 6-10 MWC), 9:30 p.m. MT

The semis are at 7 and 9:30 p.m. MT on Friday and the title game is at 5 p.m. MT on Saturday. Should be an entertaining tournament. Hopefully my Runnin' Utes can at least show decently down there.

Runnin' Utes close out regular season vs. UNLV

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.

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.