Is Historic Start in Cards for Utes?
Things are really looking up for the Utes, now.
Not only did they put the hammer down in the second half -- again -- to beat Missouri State tonight 71-58 in their first true road game, but doing so put them in a realistic position to build their winning streak to seven games before traveling to Oklahoma for what figures to be the toughest test of their non-conference schedule.
Next up is Oregon at home on Wednesday night, and that might not be as difficult a match-up as it once appeared, considering the Ducks are just 3-3 so far. On the other hand, two of those losses came against North Carolina and Texas, so they might be better than the record indicates.
At least the Utes are at home, for that one.
The Utes follow that game with a trip to Idaho State -- losers of three straight overtime games, at Hawaii and Boise State, and at home against Long Beach State -- before a home game against Cal and new coach Mike Montgomery. The Bears are 5-0, but with only one quality win at UNLV. Otherwise, the Golden Bears have beaten only Pacific, San Francisco, Texas-Pan American and North Carolina A&T -- all at home -- suggesting they might not be much better than last season, when the Utes beat them on the road.
It all adds up to a real opportunity for the Utes, who seem to be coming together well and finding ways to win. Second halves have been particularly important so far -- they have dominated during their four-game winning streak -- and the Utes made their move against Missouri State with center Luke Nevill on the bench.
So are we getting ahead of ourselves?
Of course we are ... but just imagine. The Utes haven't enjoyed a start as good as 7-1 since winning their first 18 games during the Final Four season more than a decade ago.
Not only did they put the hammer down in the second half -- again -- to beat Missouri State tonight 71-58 in their first true road game, but doing so put them in a realistic position to build their winning streak to seven games before traveling to Oklahoma for what figures to be the toughest test of their non-conference schedule.
Next up is Oregon at home on Wednesday night, and that might not be as difficult a match-up as it once appeared, considering the Ducks are just 3-3 so far. On the other hand, two of those losses came against North Carolina and Texas, so they might be better than the record indicates.
At least the Utes are at home, for that one.
The Utes follow that game with a trip to Idaho State -- losers of three straight overtime games, at Hawaii and Boise State, and at home against Long Beach State -- before a home game against Cal and new coach Mike Montgomery. The Bears are 5-0, but with only one quality win at UNLV. Otherwise, the Golden Bears have beaten only Pacific, San Francisco, Texas-Pan American and North Carolina A&T -- all at home -- suggesting they might not be much better than last season, when the Utes beat them on the road.
It all adds up to a real opportunity for the Utes, who seem to be coming together well and finding ways to win. Second halves have been particularly important so far -- they have dominated during their four-game winning streak -- and the Utes made their move against Missouri State with center Luke Nevill on the bench.
So are we getting ahead of ourselves?
Of course we are ... but just imagine. The Utes haven't enjoyed a start as good as 7-1 since winning their first 18 games during the Final Four season more than a decade ago.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 10:12 PM |
1 Comments:
Please don't mention a team that lost to SW Baptist (whose assistant coach is the wife of the head coach) in the same sentence as Final Four, regardless of how serious you are. It really makes you sound like a homer
Post a Comment
<< Home