Utes At Least Have Blueprint for Gonzaga
So, it's not impossible.
The Utes will be able to enter the McCarthey Athletic Center in a few weeks knowing that winning on Gonzaga's home floor at least is within the realm of possibility -- having seen Washington State stun the Zags 51-47 in a riveting game last night.
Granted, it took the eighth-ranked team in the country to hand No. 17 Gonzaga second loss in 44 games in their new arena, while the Utes were dispatching the much-less intimidating Utah State Aggies at the Huntsman Center. But the recipe is one the Utes will want to follow -- defense.
"As long as we can get back and set up our defense, we can give any team trouble," WSU's Derrick Low said. "We got back every time."
That's exactly the kind of team coach Jim Boylen is trying to build on the hill, and he no doubt will reference to his players the kind of grinding defense the Cougars used to stop the Bulldogs. After all, the Cougs held the Zags to their fewest points since a 71-47 loss to Southern Utah 11 years ago, and their worst shooting night -- 15 for 58, for 25.8 percent -- since a loss to Wyoming in the NCAA Tournament five years ago.
The Utes will be able to enter the McCarthey Athletic Center in a few weeks knowing that winning on Gonzaga's home floor at least is within the realm of possibility -- having seen Washington State stun the Zags 51-47 in a riveting game last night.
Granted, it took the eighth-ranked team in the country to hand No. 17 Gonzaga second loss in 44 games in their new arena, while the Utes were dispatching the much-less intimidating Utah State Aggies at the Huntsman Center. But the recipe is one the Utes will want to follow -- defense.
"As long as we can get back and set up our defense, we can give any team trouble," WSU's Derrick Low said. "We got back every time."
That's exactly the kind of team coach Jim Boylen is trying to build on the hill, and he no doubt will reference to his players the kind of grinding defense the Cougars used to stop the Bulldogs. After all, the Cougs held the Zags to their fewest points since a 71-47 loss to Southern Utah 11 years ago, and their worst shooting night -- 15 for 58, for 25.8 percent -- since a loss to Wyoming in the NCAA Tournament five years ago.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 9:29 AM |
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