Utes Aim to Keep Building vs. CSU
It might be his very mission statement, what coach Jim Boylen explained while talking about his ongoing efforts to restore the program to its former glory.
"I don't know if I'll ever be satisfied, or happy," he said. "I don't know if we'll ever be what my dreams are, but I'm going to keep working at it. I want us to be great in every aspect and every facet, and I want Utah alumni and people to be proud of this program. And I think we're making strides."
Today could be a good indication of that.
The Colorado State Rams visit the Huntsman Center as 16 1/2-point underdogs, making the Utes bigger favorites than they have been all season. So fans won't be coming to see the high-profile opponent, but a home team that needs to win games like this one to stay on pace for a place in the NCAA Tournament.
Meanwhile, the Rams will be trying to build on the victory over UNLV that snapped their 19-game league losing streak, using the man-to-man defense and motion offense that coach Tim Miles has finally felt comfortable enough using.
"We were out there running around like a bunch of chickens with our heads cut off for 40 games last year and this year," Miles said, "and you finally get to it, and it's like we have to change something."
The Utes hold statistical advantages over the Rams in almost every category -- the Rams allow exactly the same number of points, 72.2, that the Utes score on average -- and have not won in Salt Lake City since an overtime victory three years ago. The Utes have won three straight in the series.
"I don't know if I'll ever be satisfied, or happy," he said. "I don't know if we'll ever be what my dreams are, but I'm going to keep working at it. I want us to be great in every aspect and every facet, and I want Utah alumni and people to be proud of this program. And I think we're making strides."
Today could be a good indication of that.
The Colorado State Rams visit the Huntsman Center as 16 1/2-point underdogs, making the Utes bigger favorites than they have been all season. So fans won't be coming to see the high-profile opponent, but a home team that needs to win games like this one to stay on pace for a place in the NCAA Tournament.
Meanwhile, the Rams will be trying to build on the victory over UNLV that snapped their 19-game league losing streak, using the man-to-man defense and motion offense that coach Tim Miles has finally felt comfortable enough using.
"We were out there running around like a bunch of chickens with our heads cut off for 40 games last year and this year," Miles said, "and you finally get to it, and it's like we have to change something."
The Utes hold statistical advantages over the Rams in almost every category -- the Rams allow exactly the same number of points, 72.2, that the Utes score on average -- and have not won in Salt Lake City since an overtime victory three years ago. The Utes have won three straight in the series.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 9:32 AM |
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