The Official 12 Pac basketball thread

[U-Ute]

Calm down. You're smarter than to put up a sorry, hectoring post like that. The undeniable fact is that 10:44 without a field goal, while Colorado catches up, would have indeed been excruciating to watch. That's because I want them to win so badly. I also said they they found a way to win and that is a good thing. This game was a nice step forward, as nerve-wracking as the ending was.

If you're going to beat up on other Utah fans, do it while using your brain.

It was rough to watch, but it wasn't like Colorado D was so dominating we couldn't score. Colorado was playing fantastic D, but the Utes struggled with a difficult balancing act of milking the clock and taking shots. Just like Sac State and Northridge earlier this year, the Utes got tentative not knowing when to apply the knockout punch while trying to milk the clock.

Colorado was pressing the heck out of us, and a couple of times we broke the press and had lanes to the hoop with only a single defender and about 25 seconds left on the shot clock, but we pulled the ball out instead. I felt like those were mistakes. When a team presses you like that, you need to punish them when you can. Instead, we pulled the ball out, tried to work it around, and while we got decent looks, it doesn't beat attacking the hoop after you break the press, clock or no clock.

BTW, I am bullish on Taylor. I like how he attacks and splits double teams before they can fully close in. It takes a different mentality to want to do that, and so those kinds of skills are hard to coach. Learning when to attack during clock situations are the kinds of things that Taylor will learn as time goes on. That's what Miller was so brilliant at during our Final Four run.

FWIW, that 10 minute stretch when Utah held them scoreless was kind of the same thing. Utah was playing great D, but I felt like Colorado got a bit tentative when they did get a good look. Probably because they aren't used to working in such a constant half-court set and have to think about what may be a good shot and what may not be. They are more comfortable when they can get out and run. It is a lot simpler.

[U-Ute]

Olsen is regarded as having a fairly developed and sophisticated offensive game, and soft hands. He can play facing and with his back to the basket. His problems early in the season had to do with mission rust and general lack of conditioning.

I never undestood why Boylen redshirted him. Olsen could have contributed as a true freshman. I think the ulterior motive was to prevent a tansfer after the mission, as I think that having redshirted he'd lose a year of eligibility transfering.

I said the same thing during the game. I thought it seemed like Olsen was finally knocking off some of the mission rust. Good hands and footwork. Doesn't really play above the rim, so he needs to get stronger. But he seems like a nice player.

[Top Ute]

It was rough to watch, but it wasn't like Colorado D was so dominating we couldn't score. Colorado was playing fantastic D, but the Utes struggled with a difficult balancing act of milking the clock and taking shots. Just like Sac State and Northridge earlier this year, the Utes got tentative not knowing when to apply the knockout punch while trying to milk the clock.

Those are two mutually exclusive terms. You only begin milking the clock once you've already landed the knockout punch. Nor can you land the knockout punch while milking the clock.

[U-Ute]

Those are two mutually exclusive terms. You only begin milking the clock once you've already landed the knockout punch. Nor can you land the knockout punch while milking the clock.

I disagree, but I think would only be arguing semantics.

In my mind, milking the clock is part of landing the knockout punch. You are trying to limit their possessions so they can't catch up. Colorado was countering that by pressing to try and turn us over and speed us up. You have to force them into backing away from that by making them pay for the press with easy buckets, which we could have done a couple of times but backed away from.

The knockout punch has been landed when the other team gives up, doesn't foul, and just plays token defense.

[LA Ute]

I disagree, but I think would only be arguing semantics.

In my mind, milking the clock is part of landing the knockout punch. You are trying to limit their possessions so they can't catch up. Colorado was countering that by pressing to try and turn us over and speed us up. You have to force them into backing away from that by making them pay for the press with easy buckets, which we could have done a couple of times but backed away from.

The knockout punch has been landed when the other team gives up, doesn't foul, and just plays token defense.

I guess you're talking about milking the clock but being opportunistic.

[SeattleUte]

It was rough to watch, but it wasn't like Colorado D was so dominating we couldn't score. Colorado was playing fantastic D, but the Utes struggled with a difficult balancing act of milking the clock and taking shots. Just like Sac State and Northridge earlier this year, the Utes got tentative not knowing when to apply the knockout punch while trying to milk the clock.

Colorado was pressing the heck out of us, and a couple of times we broke the press and had lanes to the hoop with only a single defender and about 25 seconds left on the shot clock, but we pulled the ball out instead. I felt like those were mistakes. When a team presses you like that, you need to punish them when you can. Instead, we pulled the ball out, tried to work it around, and while we got decent looks, it doesn't beat attacking the hoop after you break the press, clock or no clock.

BTW, I am bullish on Taylor. I like how he attacks and splits double teams before they can fully close in. It takes a different mentality to want to do that, and so those kinds of skills are hard to coach. Learning when to attack during clock situations are the kinds of things that Taylor will learn as time goes on. That's what Miller was so brilliant at during our Final Four run.

FWIW, that 10 minute stretch when Utah held them scoreless was kind of the same thing. Utah was playing great D, but I felt like Colorado got a bit tentative when they did get a good look. Probably because they aren't used to working in such a constant half-court set and have to think about what may be a good shot and what may not be. They are more comfortable when they can get out and run. It is a lot simpler.

Taylore is a keeper. Maybe he fell into our laps because he's only 5-10. But he's plenty tall enough to be super successful in our program. There's a lot of precedent for that.

[LA Ute]

Taylore is a keeper. Maybe he fell into our laps because he's only 5-10. But he's plenty tall enough to be super successful in our program. There's a lot of precedent for that.

Yes, Jimmy Soto.

[SeattleUte]

Yes, Jimmy Soto.

How long has it been since we've had freshment to be hopeful about? Since Marshall Henderson.

Now we have a deceent nucleus with Loveridge, Taylor and Olsen.

[LA Ute]

How long has it been since we've had freshment to be hopeful about? Since Marshall Henderson.

Now we have a decent nucleus with Loveridge, Taylor and Olsen.

Agreed. I mentioned Soto only because he's the last effective Utah PG I can remember who is Taylor's size.

[SeattleUte]

Agreed. I mentioned Soto only because he's the last effective Utah PG I can remember who is Taylor's size.

There have been a zillion at various schools. This year look at Arizona State's Jahii Carson. Granted he too is a freshman, but he's a year older (spent a year in prep school or redshirting), is averaging 20 ppg, and was a five star. 5-10 is plenty tall enough depending on the other skills. Taylor is a Utah prototype.

[LA Ute]

There have been a zillion at various schools. This year look at Arizona State's Jahii Carson. Granted he too is a freshman, but he's a year older (spent a year in prep school or redshirting), is averaging 20 ppg, and was a five star. 5-10 is plenty tall enough depending on the other skills. Taylor is a Utah prototype.

Oh, I'm fully convinced that he can be effective. Just trying to think of what name to put in the blank when I say, "Taylor may be our next ______."

[U-Ute]

This week's presser.

Discusses Olsen specifically at the end (starts at 4:15)

[YOUTUBE]5LgfYPSS0wI[/YOUTUBE]

Is there anything more fitting than a S&C coach named "Rock"?

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

A 2 game lead would have been nice, thanks for nothing Utes.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

If I may revise my previous estimation... with a season ending loss to Utah in SLC and me in tears,

Swish!

[il Padrino Ute]

A 2 game lead would have been nice, thanks for nothing Utes.

I'll give you credit for pointing out that Utah won this game, rather than Oregon losing it.