Utah vs. LSU

[DrumNFeather]

I haven't seen much of this game, but what I have seen is Kim Tillie miss two layups and lose the ball a few times. That guy might be the worst player(that played significant minutes) in the history of the program...and that includes the likes of Jonas Langvad, Nate Althof and others.

[DrumNFeather]

Utah wins 61-59. LSU's first home loss this season. Held LSU without a field goal for 9 minutes. I think that puts the Utes at 7-7...you figure them out.

[Fiyero]

Utah does well in Louisiana on Jan 2s.

[ERCougar]

Utah wins 61-59. LSU's first home loss this season. Held LSU without a field goal for 9 minutes. I think that puts the Utes at 7-7...you figure them out.

Sagarin predictors:
LSU 72.30
Utah 73.97

BCS conference membership <> greatness. Haven't we figured this out yet?

[U-Ute]

Sagarin predictors:
LSU 72.30
Utah 73.97

BCS conference membership <> greatness. Haven't we figured this out yet?

Utah 73.14
Pepperdine 64.75

LSU is not a particularly good team, but this is the first game the Utes have played well on the road. I think Foster's quote in the Trib this morning about getting the last rebound was telling:

"When I saw the ball flipping all over the place all I could think of was coach Boylen's face coming right there and saying 'Get the loose ball, be tough,'" Foster said. "So I said 'Ok I have to get this loose ball.' I threw my whole body at it and grabbed it because I knew it was winning time."

While not a great win, it shows that this team is getting tougher and moving in the right direction. Plus, they did it without Watkins (again *sigh* that guy cannot catch a break this season) who is a huge piece to this team.

They are progressing. The one thing about Boylen teams that separate them from Giacoletti teams is that they get better as the season progresses. I think they'll be a good team by the end of the season. How good depends on how quickly the young guys grow up, especially Foster and Washburn.

U-Ute

[Katy Lied]

you figure them out.

I've been seriously pondering this question. Would you rather be a fan of a schitzophrenic team that wins heroic games against team considered vastly superior, only to lose to teams that are miserable? Or would you rather have a team that pretty much wins what it is supposed to, but can never pull out an amazing win against a better team?

The former would be much more exciting, but also much more frustrating, I think.

[Fiyero]

They'll be an intriguing "bubble" selection, probably seen as the candidate most likely to snag a first round upset, especially if the experience of those big-name-games again surfaces against the MWC's top teams.

[ERCougar]

They'll be an intriguing "bubble" selection, probably seen as the candidate most likely to snag a first round upset, especially if the experience of those big-name-games again surfaces against the MWC's top teams.

My point with the Sagarin ratings is that a 2 pt win against LSU is like a 10 point loss to BYU/UNM. I don't want to burst your bubble (ok, maybe just a little), but this team is hardly schizophrenic, except for a few bad losses. Their biggest wins are against middle of the road MWC level teams.

Of course, we don't have any big wins either.

[John McClain]

My point with the Sagarin ratings is that a 2 pt win against LSU is like a 10 point loss to BYU/UNM. I don't want to burst your bubble (ok, maybe just a little), but this team is hardly schizophrenic, except for a few bad losses. Their biggest wins are against middle of the road MWC level teams.

Of course, we don't have any big wins either.

Sagarin or not, LSU is a "name" opponent which is looked on favorably by pollsters and selection committees, so the win looks good for the Utes. I'll be interested to see how they do in conference. I think fourth or fifth place is where they'll end up.

[U-Ute]

but this team is hardly schizophrenic, except for a few schitzophrenic type losses

FTFY

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Nice job Utes. I didn't see any of the game, but I bet Trent Johnson had a really angry look on his face for the entire game.

[SeattleUte]

It's no mean feat for anyone (except maybe Kentucky) to go to Baton Rouge and beat LSU there. For our kids, it's the other side of the moon, not to mention two time zones away. In college basketball, you can't ever assume a W on the road, even at Oral Roberts.

There's nothing mysterious about this team. It's got loads of ability, Foster is a really big scary presence on defense, but they're young and have had a lot of injuries. (How did we ever get so lucky to recruit that guy when Giacoletti was coach; he's our NBA prospect. Seven blocks yesterday.) All they need is good health and experience. I'm looking forward to playing those skinny grayhounds from Provo.

Why didn't Watkins play, again?

[Jarid in Cedar]

Why didn't Watkins play, again?

Family matters(health of his Step father IIRC)

[U-Ute]

Family matters(health of his Step father IIRC)

According to the SLTrib today, his stepfather had a brain anyeurism and was taken off of life support yesterday.

First a fractured pelvis, then a strained abdominal muscle, but neither compare to this. The team found out at the pre-game lunch and were obviously upset and concerned for their friend and comrade. They dedicated the game and the win to him.

U-Ute

[SeattleUte]

According to the SLTrib today, his stepfather had a brain anyeurism and was taken off of life support yesterday.

First a fractured pelvis, then a strained abdominal muscle, but neither compare to this. The team found out at the pre-game lunch and were obviously upset and concerned for their friend and comrade. They dedicated the game and the win to him.

U-Ute

Good for them. They sound like a close team. I'm really glad they won! And the youngsters won this one without him. A good experience.