Utah basketball

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

So I haven't really followed college hoops that much this year, but what the hell happened to Utah? Didn't they lose to some double direction Div 2 school at the start of the year? Now they are on the verge of winning the conf, holy crap.

The really lame thing is you know they will win a game in the tourney while BYU will play an exciting game on Thursday and lose.

[il Padrino Ute]

Yes, the Utes struggled early with a couple of horrendous losses. *sigh*

I'm surprised at how well Utah is playing. I figured Boylen would eventually turn things around, but I thought it wouldn't be until the kids that played for Giacoletti were gone.

[DrumNFeather]

Some teams don't get their wake up call until the middle of the season. Utah got its wake up call after SW Baptist and again after ISU...and they responded. Say what you want about Jim Boylen, but he has been able to get this team to respond after losses, and the Utes don't have a bad loss in conference.

At the beginning of the season, I noted that you couldn't really see a marked improvement from anyone on the team and at the time, that was true, but I dare say that everyone on this team that plays significant minutes has shown a marked improvement over where they were last year and their other years in the program.

[RockyBalboa]

It's a combination of a 4 Seasoned Seniors carrying the load and a little bit of luck.

They've walked a fine line in a few of the MWC games. OT wins over BYU at home and Colorado State on the road and a ridiculously fortuitous over the backboard shot against New Mexico at home with only a few seconds left.

But, to take nothing away from them, they've earned what they've got and deserved to be where they are.

I have to add one caveat. Did anyone else burst out laughing last night when Joe Cravens said that Lawrence Borha deserved to be 1st team All-MWC?

[MartyFunkhouser]

I have to add one caveat. Did anyone else burst out laughing last night when Joe Cravens said that Lawrence Borha deserved to be 1st team All-MWC?

It was hilarious but it isn't the first time Cravens has said something that crazy. It was on par when he said "show me someone in the country better than Lee Cummard." I actually really like Cravens as a color man but sometimes he gets a little over the top in his praise.

[Jeff Lebowski]

It was hilarious but it isn't the first time Cravens has said something that crazy. It was on par when he said "show me someone in the country better than Lee Cummard." I actually really like Cravens as a color man but sometimes he gets a little over the top in his praise.

I like Cravens. Corny lines and all.

[RockyBalboa]

I like Cravens. Corny lines and all.

He has kinda grown on me, and his goofy and somewhat hickish punchy demeanor does make me laugh.

[jay santos]

So I haven't really followed college hoops that much this year, but what the hell happened to Utah? Didn't they lose to some double direction Div 2 school at the start of the year? Now they are on the verge of winning the conf, holy crap.

The really lame thing is you know they will win a game in the tourney while BYU will play an exciting game on Thursday and lose.

Honestly I haven't seen them play outside of our game with them, so I don't really know how good they are. But they've won two OT games in conference, and survived a couple other scares at home. I think they will end up tying BYU for conf championship and should feel lucky to do so with all the close victories.

[Mormon Red Death]

He has kinda grown on me, and his goofy and somewhat hickish punchy demeanor does make me laugh.

Utes are undefeated when he is the color man.

[cougjunkie]

Utah has an NBA caliber center surrounded by 3 unathletic guards that can shoot lights out and probably the most athletic player in the conference that cant shoot a lick. It is actually a nice balance for them, the number of shots Nevill blocks, alters, deflects, etc is unbelievable. I saw a stat the other day that he is averaging like 13 blocks, alters, change of direction, etc per game.

That is 13 shots that he is personally taking away. I bet the only person better in the country is Hasheem Thabeet.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Utah has an NBA caliber center surrounded by 3 unathletic guards that can shoot lights out and probably the most athletic player in the conference that cant shoot a lick. It is actually a nice balance for them, the number of shots Nevill blocks, alters, deflects, etc is unbelievable. I saw a stat the other day that he is averaging like 13 blocks, alters, change of direction, etc per game.

That is 13 shots that he is personally taking away. I bet the only person better in the country is Hasheem Thabeet.

I think that is a pretty damn good description of the Utes. Hey, Carlon Brown did hit a 3-pointer last night and maybe his percentage is now up to 15%.

It is amazing how much Nevill has an impact on the defensive end. If anyone but Nevill was DPOY for the conference it is sham.

[DrumNFeather]

Utah has an NBA caliber center surrounded by 3 unathletic guards that can shoot lights out and probably the most athletic player in the conference that cant shoot a lick. It is actually a nice balance for them, the number of shots Nevill blocks, alters, deflects, etc is unbelievable. I saw a stat the other day that he is averaging like 13 blocks, alters, change of direction, etc per game.

That is 13 shots that he is personally taking away. I bet the only person better in the country is Hasheem Thabeet.

I've been pleasently surprised at what Boylen has been able to get out of Green, Kepkay and Bohra. Kepkay especially is a guy who is not afraid to take it to the rim and that is something Utah has lacked over the last few years.

[KillerDog]

I think that is a pretty damn good description of the Utes. Hey, Carlon Brown did hit a 3-pointer last night and maybe his percentage is now up to 15%.

It is amazing how much Nevill has an impact on the defensive end. If anyone but Nevill was DPOY for the conference it is sham.

I agree about Nevill. He is tough to guard and even tougher to score on. I especially like how his defensive presence improves the effectiveness of the other 4 guys on the floor.

I like the idea of forcing him to come out on ball screens but his length allows him to recover most of the time. He does a nice job. Utah's maturity is a major key to their success. I'm curious to see how Boylen does with a few more underclassmen and I would like to see his ability to smooth out recruiting but I like him as a coach. Of course, I liked Giac until he had a breakdown or something.

[DrumNFeather]

I agree about Nevill. He is tough to guard and even tougher to score on. I especially like how his defensive presence improves the effectiveness of the other 4 guys on the floor.

I like the idea of forcing him to come out on ball screens but his length allows him to recover most of the time. He does a nice job. Utah's maturity is a major key to their success. I'm curious to see how Boylen does with a few more underclassmen and I would like to see his ability to smooth out recruiting but I like him as a coach. Of course, I liked Giac until he had a breakdown or something.

If BYU can get Nevill in foul trouble early in Provo, it could be a long day for the Utes. The problem is, you don't have a big man who is willing to take it to the hoop. Maybe Hartstock is the guy to do that, I don't know.

Given where most thought this team would be this year, Boylen has really done an incredible job.

[cougjunkie]

If BYU can get Nevill in foul trouble early in Provo, it could be a long day for the Utes. The problem is, you don't have a big man who is willing to take it to the hoop. Maybe Hartstock is the guy to do that, I don't know.

Given where most thought this team would be this year, Boylen has really done an incredible job.

Honestly if I am BYU I put JT at the 5 for stretches and force Nevill to guard on the perimeter, then double him on the other end, hopefully with their speed on the floor they will be able to recover and rotate out of the double teams. Nevill had to guard Rougeau last night but Rougeau is no threat from the outside so it didnt work.