Official Utah vs Butler thread

[U-Ute]

If nothing else, I'm just looking forward to seeing the team play. Not expecting a win though. I put this down as a loss before the season started. It would not surprise me to see them lose 2 of 3 on the islands.

Butler has 8 upperclassmen, led by a senior in the middle, and they hit the boards hard. Sounds like a Boise State type team, but with more talent. Being -5 in turnovers, -7 in rebounds, and -8 in offensive rebounds, the Utes should not have won that game. The Utes won, not because of defense, but because they shot the ball very well at home (53% vs 47%), especially from the 3 (46% vs 33%).

I doubt they can replicate that against Butler.

But, I don't care. I just want to watch Clyburn, who reminds me of a mix between Shawn Green (his 3-balls are just effortless) and Van Horn (size and length to get to the rim).

[Blueintheface]

I just want to watch Clyburn, who reminds me of a mix between Shawn Green (his 3-balls are just effortless) and Van Horn (size and length to get to the rim).

I too would like to see this kid play. His stats thus far have been off the charts and I'd like to see if that translates during conference play.

[DrumNFeather]

If nothing else, I'm just looking forward to seeing the team play. Not expecting a win though. I put this down as a loss before the season started. It would not surprise me to see them lose 2 of 3 on the islands.

Butler has 8 upperclassmen, led by a senior in the middle, and they hit the boards hard. Sounds like a Boise State type team, but with more talent. Being -5 in turnovers, -7 in rebounds, and -8 in offensive rebounds, the Utes should not have won that game. The Utes won, not because of defense, but because they shot the ball very well at home (53% vs 47%), especially from the 3 (46% vs 33%).

I doubt they can replicate that against Butler.

But, I don't care. I just want to watch Clyburn, who reminds me of a mix between Shawn Green (his 3-balls are just effortless) and Van Horn (size and length to get to the rim).

Is this a tournament of some kind? I know they get Butler, is there someone else they get Thursday night should they win (or lose)?

[Top Ute]

Is this a tournament of some kind? I know they get Butler, is there someone else they get Thursday night should they win (or lose)?

Yes, it's the Diamondhead Classic. If we win, we play the following night against the Florida State-Hawaii winner (ESPN2). If we lose, we play Christmas Eve against that game's loser (ESPNU). Winning tonight is big if only for the reason we're guaranteed a third game, either for third place or championship, on ESPN2, on Christmas Day.

[il Padrino Ute]

Is the game televised? If so, what time is tip-off?

[U-Ute]

Is the game televised? If so, what time is tip-off?

ESPNU, 9pm MST. It overlaps the Vegas Bowl, but technology has solved that problem.

Friday's round is also on ESPNU/ESPN2.

The losers bracket on saturday is not televised, but the top two games are.

EDIT: Bracket link with channels and times in EST: http://www.diamondheadclassic.com/PD...0_ET_FINAL.pdf

[il Padrino Ute]

ESPNU, 9pm MST. It overlaps the Vegas Bowl, but technology has solved that problem.

Friday's round is also on ESPNU/ESPN2.

The losers bracket on saturday is not televised, but the top two games are.

EDIT: Bracket link with channels and times in EST: http://www.diamondheadclassic.com/PD...0_ET_FINAL.pdf

Thanks for the info, fellow NEZer.

[DrumNFeather]

Even I had to laugh when they showed Jim Boylen and it said Rick Boylen on the screen. 40-27 Butler at the half.

[SeattleUte]

The box score in this game is fascinating. fg %, including trey percentage, Utes win. Rebounding, comparable. Assists, Utes win. Despite the foreging Butler shot A LOT more times. They shot more free throws, not a huge number more free throws, but that must be a function of shooting so many more shots. The disparity in FT actually didn't match the much greater number of shots Butler took and MADE, despite the Utes shooting a much higher percentage. So Utes, don't blame the refs. Butler didn't shoot so many more shots because of rebounds, since the rebounding was close. And Butler is a half court team. Utah purports to have more of a full court game.

Butler is just more efficient on offense. Very interesting. K-Dog, can you add anything to this?

[Surfah]

The box score in this game is fascinating. fg %, including trey percentage, Utes win. Rebounding, comparable. Assists, Utes win. Despite the foreging Butler shot A LOT more times. They shot more free throws, not a huge number more free throws, but that must be a function of shooting so many more shots. The disparity in FT actually didn't match the much greater number of shots Butler took and MADE, despite the Utes shooting a much higher percentage. So Utes, don't blame the refs. Butler didn't shoot so many more shots because of rebounds, since the rebounding was close. And Butler is a half court team. Utah purports to have more of a full court game.

Butler is just more efficient on offense. Very interesting. K-Dog, can you add anything to this?

You got that from a boxscore? Butler wasn't more efficient on offense. They just had a lot more offensive opportunities because Utah turned the ball over 8 more times than Butler did.

This game on paper looks pretty much identical to BYU and UCLA. BYU shot better and all other stats were comparable save the number of FGs made and taken and that was because of the turnover discrepancy.

I don't know why but I am disappointed that you have to ask for Kdog's input here when it so easily apparent.

[dixdog]

Utah still shoot poorly

Utah played better Defense than I thought. The game could have been much worse if Shelvin Mack of Butler had stopped chucking.

Utah doesn't seem to have a consistent 3 point threat.

The Utes could beat UNLV, SDSU, BYU or NM in SLC this year.

[U-Ute]

Even I had to laugh when they showed Jim Boylen and it said Rick Boylen on the screen. 40-27 Butler at the half.

I saw that too. The shadow of Rick Majerus still lurks it seems.

[U-Ute]

I think Gottleib hit the nail on the head when he pointed out that Clyburn doesn't get the ball enough. He had 16 points last night, almost by accident, and that's how its been all season.

Someone on this team needs to recognize that he's the best player, and get him the The Damn Ball. Either he needs to demand it, Jiggy needs to say "I'm giving you the ball, shoot it!", or Grandpa Watkins needs to knock heads and get the team to look for him.

Offensively, the team looks lost, like their not quite sure what they're supposed to be doing. Hey. I have a great idea: give the ball to Clyburn! Sheesh.

Defensively, they played much better in the second half, but they made a lot of stupid fouls. They confuse pushing with their arms with position play when it comes to being "physical". They do a good job of funneling the traffic to Foster. Defense is pretty easy to play when he's behind you.

Since this is my first look at the team, even though I've been listening to the games, here's some thoughts so far in the season:

4 points and 9 rebs from our center position is pathetic. Missed a bunch of point blank shots. This kind of production has been consistent all season long. If we don't get more production out of the middle by conference time, we're gonna get killed. Its our only advantage. The league is loaded with talented guards and wingmen, there isn't much in the way of size.

I like Kupets. He's a blue collar energy guy. He'll scrap for loose balls, and come up with 4-6 points a night, and put out the effort on the defensive end. He's making the most of his limited talent.

Glover makes Bashful the Dwarf look like Jordan Chase. He has the physical tools, but I don't know if he's aggressive enough to use them. He's had plenty of time to come out of his shell, so I don't know if he ever will. The Yang to the Yin of Kupets.

I like Jiggy. I like how he pushes the ball up the floor and makes things happen in the lane. He's a tough guy.

Hines is a decent player. Takes too many plays off on the defensive side though. His shooting has improved though. I don't cringe every time he shoots now.

Probably too early to judge O'Brien, but I will anyway. Seems big and athletic. His FT's seemed awkward, so I don't know how good of a shooter he'll be. Put about 15 more pounds on him, and he could make a nice 4. He has the frame for it.

DiMaria played 3 minutes. Jury is still out on him.

We missed G-Wat's toughness and leadership, but I don't think we win this game with him on the floor.

Still, there were definitely bright spots. Butler is a really good team. Howard is treat to watch. We're just still too inconsistent right now.

[ERCougar]

The Utes could beat UNLV, SDSU, BYU or NM in SLC this year.

Looking at kenpom's probabilities, odds are 2-1 that they'll win at least one of those games. You might think that's all due to including UNM, but it's about even odds that they'll beat at least one out of UNLV, BYU, or SDSU in SLC.

Yup....still bored.

[SeattleUte]

You got that from a boxscore? Butler wasn't more efficient on offense. They just had a lot more offensive opportunities because Utah turned the ball over 8 more times than Butler did.

This game on paper looks pretty much identical to BYU and UCLA. BYU shot better and all other stats were comparable save the number of FGs made and taken and that was because of the turnover discrepancy.

I don't know why but I am disappointed that you have to ask for Kdog's input here when it so easily apparent.

turnovers are an element of offensive effeciency.