Back in Groove, Utes Have Chance to Catch Up in League
Coach Jim Boylen said it best himself. While beating TCU 74-58 at the Huntsman Center today was big for his Utes -- snapping their agonizing three-game losing streak -- it was still only one game.
Truer words were never spoken.
Fact is, the Utes absolutely should have beaten the Horned Frogs, who -- despite their encouraging start this season -- remain generally overmatched and definitely among the worst road teams in the Mountain West Conference. The Frogs have won only once in 14 games on the road since beating the Utes last season, and losing to them again would have signaled that the Utes were really in trouble.
Instead, the Utes appear to be a team that might well be closer to the top of the league than the bottom, despite their record. After all, two of their last three losses were on the road and in overtime against two of the best home teams in the league -- San Diego State and New Mexico -- and the other was a near-miss against solid Brigham Young in a toss-up rivalry game.
And now is their chance to prove it.
While the Utes endured that rough stretch of the past week or so, they now have a chance to climb back into the league race, with upcoming games against the two worst teams in the league, Wyoming and Colorado State. Win 'em both, as they should, and the Utes suddenly have a winning record in the conference again, and perhaps enough confidence to carry them to greater success during the second half of the season, against even the top teams in the league.
"Every win is a must-win," Boylen said. "For this program, where we're at right now, what we have to do to build it, I think every night is an opportunity to grow and learn."
Among other tidbits worth mentioning:
-- Guard Johnnie Bryant set a school record by making eight three-pointers for his 24 points, breaking a mark he had shared with Phil Cullen, Phil Dixon and Nick Jacobsen. His 8-for-14 performance was part of a season-best 13-for-24 showing for the team, which included four three-pointers by forward Shaun Green. Still, Boylen said he thought Bryant missed too many of his open threes, and Bryant agreed. "It's going to be a rough film session," he said.
-- Guard Luka Drca was phenomenal, handing out 10 assists with four rebounds a steal and no turnovers (in only 25 minutes!) and again demonstrating that the offense moves best when he's in the game and distributing. "Unbelievable," Boylen said. "Is that guy a good big guard, or what? ... He just executed, found guys, found Luke for a dunk, made plays on the pick-and-roll, found the weak-side."
-- Forward Kim Tillie played again, after missing another game while recovering from a stress fracture, and this performance wasn't as encouraging. He helped some, but also fouled out in 10 minutes, having contributed five points and a steal.
Truer words were never spoken.
Fact is, the Utes absolutely should have beaten the Horned Frogs, who -- despite their encouraging start this season -- remain generally overmatched and definitely among the worst road teams in the Mountain West Conference. The Frogs have won only once in 14 games on the road since beating the Utes last season, and losing to them again would have signaled that the Utes were really in trouble.
Instead, the Utes appear to be a team that might well be closer to the top of the league than the bottom, despite their record. After all, two of their last three losses were on the road and in overtime against two of the best home teams in the league -- San Diego State and New Mexico -- and the other was a near-miss against solid Brigham Young in a toss-up rivalry game.
And now is their chance to prove it.
While the Utes endured that rough stretch of the past week or so, they now have a chance to climb back into the league race, with upcoming games against the two worst teams in the league, Wyoming and Colorado State. Win 'em both, as they should, and the Utes suddenly have a winning record in the conference again, and perhaps enough confidence to carry them to greater success during the second half of the season, against even the top teams in the league.
"Every win is a must-win," Boylen said. "For this program, where we're at right now, what we have to do to build it, I think every night is an opportunity to grow and learn."
Among other tidbits worth mentioning:
-- Guard Johnnie Bryant set a school record by making eight three-pointers for his 24 points, breaking a mark he had shared with Phil Cullen, Phil Dixon and Nick Jacobsen. His 8-for-14 performance was part of a season-best 13-for-24 showing for the team, which included four three-pointers by forward Shaun Green. Still, Boylen said he thought Bryant missed too many of his open threes, and Bryant agreed. "It's going to be a rough film session," he said.
-- Guard Luka Drca was phenomenal, handing out 10 assists with four rebounds a steal and no turnovers (in only 25 minutes!) and again demonstrating that the offense moves best when he's in the game and distributing. "Unbelievable," Boylen said. "Is that guy a good big guard, or what? ... He just executed, found guys, found Luke for a dunk, made plays on the pick-and-roll, found the weak-side."
-- Forward Kim Tillie played again, after missing another game while recovering from a stress fracture, and this performance wasn't as encouraging. He helped some, but also fouled out in 10 minutes, having contributed five points and a steal.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 4:25 PM |
2 Comments:
Drca is the best player on this team, but he is still an occasional train wreck waiting to happen--& again missed the front end of a 1 & 1.
Shows what Boylen is doing with not much to work with.
Old Standing ute
Drca? Uh, how many games have you been to/watched this season, buddy? Drca is doing a good job of distributing, but there is no way he's the best player.
Alright, but I think yesterday was a "get well game" for the Utes. TCU is definitely not the best team in the Mountain West Conference, but they have some athletes (particularly Hackett), and can make some plays and be competitive. I guess what I'm saying is, Utah didn't have to play their best game to win. They still played pretty well, despite letting TCU cut a 17-point first half lead to eight in the second half. To lose to the Frogs at home, like Utah did last year, you either have to play pretty bad, or be pretty bad.
Even though Utah shot well from the peremiter, I don't like the reliance on the three-point shot, because it can dry up quicker than the Salt Flats. I liked how Kepkay slashed a couple times to the basket, even though he was largely unsuccessful. I also liked how in the first half, Shaun Green pump faked a three took a few dribbles and drilled a midrange jumper. I don't want the Utes to get too comfortable just shooting threes all the time. However, I thought the Utes did a great job of counteracting the Frogs defense with ball movement and penetration. And it's always nice to see Luke throw down a few jams.
Good win, Utes. And tell coach Balboa ... er, Boylen, that I loved the speech.
Post a Comment
<< Home