Final Countdown to the Big Game
The Utes weren't sure what they were going to wind up doing to kill time until their game against Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament tonight, with coach Jim Boylen said he was going to leave the decision up to his seniors.
Whatever they wind up doing, they will get to American Airlines Arena knowing they're no longer underdogs – not to the oddsmakers, at least.
The Utes are now 1 1/2-point favorites against the Wildcats, but still have been fielding questions all week about being widely viewed as a possible upset victim. But Boylen also said that the fifth seed the Utes were award shows great progress for the program.
"We're thankful for the fifth seed," he said. "I think it's great for our program. I think it shows what we're building. I think it shows that we're back on the map. It's a great testament to what my seniors have done and what my team has done and the schedule we've played.
"But I was in the NBA for a long time," he added. "We won the world championship from a six seed and won nine road games. So if guys believe in each other, they care about each other, they fight for each other, they've got a shot. And that's what we're going to try to do."
Whatever they wind up doing, they will get to American Airlines Arena knowing they're no longer underdogs – not to the oddsmakers, at least.
The Utes are now 1 1/2-point favorites against the Wildcats, but still have been fielding questions all week about being widely viewed as a possible upset victim. But Boylen also said that the fifth seed the Utes were award shows great progress for the program.
"We're thankful for the fifth seed," he said. "I think it's great for our program. I think it shows what we're building. I think it shows that we're back on the map. It's a great testament to what my seniors have done and what my team has done and the schedule we've played.
"But I was in the NBA for a long time," he added. "We won the world championship from a six seed and won nine road games. So if guys believe in each other, they care about each other, they fight for each other, they've got a shot. And that's what we're going to try to do."
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 12:02 PM |
2 Comments:
Only the initial spread by the oddsmaker is the actual spread, which is based on their study of the teams.
The oddsmaker will then adjust the spread based on how the bets are coming in... for example, if everyone continues to bet Arizona, they will adjust the spread to Utah's favor... their goal is to make "some money" but not a killing or lose their shorts.
It tells me there are a lot of people betting on Arizona to win.
Go Utes...
Kin
The NCAA Selection Committee made the right choice in only asking two Mountain West Confernce teams to the Big Dance. Both BYU and Utah were sent packing in the first round and the PAC 10 teams did pretty good going 5 out of 6. Jordon Hill of Arizona showed Mr. Nevill from the Utes what PAC 10 basketball is all about. Good game Wildcats and I guess it was a good choice to bring you to the Dance...bad for Utah though.
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