It’s depressing to know that the program has been down so long. Minus two good years in 2015 and 2016, the program has been at best a little above average and at times terrible for 14 seasons. Just two tournament appearances in that span and three since 2010. Sad.
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Yeah, it is sad. There was a five year stretch were LK had the Utes finish in the top four of the PAC. No other PAC program finished in the top four during those five years. LK didn’t get us to the tournament as often as anyone would have liked but his teams were competitive and were physical.
Hopefully this gets turned around quickly. Need to see a lot more on the recruiting front than what we’ve seen.
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Utah had a stretch of years where they kept on making the top 4 and avoiding the Wednesday game, but then often losing to the lower seed on Thursday. Our record in PAC12 tourney games in Vegas wearing the wearing white shirts (including this season) is rather poor.
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Noticed that Georgetown fired Ewing today. History is no predictor of future results. This was a powerhouse program under John Thompson and has done squat since.
Look at Indiana. Another giant in the game. No final fours in over 20 years.
Syracuse basically fired their legendary coach of nearly 50 years this week because they have been circling the mediocrity drain in recent years.
It just goes to show how hard it is get good and stay good. There is no sure thing.
Let’s see how Duke does replacing a legend. Let’s have some patience and see what Craig and company can come up with.
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UNC was preseason #1 and will miss the tourney, after returning all but 1 player from last years team.
Let that sink in
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UNLV is another example, they’ve been dormant since Tark (although you could argue about the why’s of the Rebels success).
Very few schools have been able to maintain longtime basketball and football success simultaneously. I think there is something to the recent Utah football upturn hurting the hoops program, but i couldnt tell you why?
Meanwhile on the positive side, Utah State made the semi-finals of the MWC with a strong win over New Mexico last night (odd seeing the Lobos not wearing red, the had some sort of green/blue color) and UVU (trying to make their first tourney) plays SUU tonight in the WAC semi-final (with Sam Houston St in the other WAC semi-final).
If there’s ever been a bigger paper tiger than New Mexico basketball, I would love to hear who they are. All flash & no substance. When we were in the WAC/MWC with them they never left the Pit during the preseason and never played anyone in the top 200 so they were undefeated and close to being ranked when the conference season would begin yet most years the would fail to make the tournament.
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I think this was on CBS Sports (it was a major sports media member). If Michigan makes it to the Dance, their record as depicted here will show how much reputation matters.
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Meanwhile regarding other instate teams, Utah State had a dominant second half over Boise State to make the MWC final. Possibly got themselves into the Dance. If they beat San Diego State, they are in for sure (and avoid a potential trip to Dayton).
Meanwhile UVU blew a 23 point lead (ouch) against Southern Utah who won by a point after converting a four point play with a few second left. SUU can beat Grand Canyon in tonight’s WAC final to get into the Dance for the first time in a few decades.
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Let this sink in.
USU and SUU are one win away from going to the Dance.
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Y’all are gonna tell me how to act if this team of mine makes the Final Four for the first time. The locals around here don’t want to talk hoops anymore like past years.
It’s been 24 years since we’ve been to the Final 4. I will say just enjoy the experience. I suspect it will feel heady, and odd. It certainly does when anyone has any of our programs except skiing and gymnastics. Those 2 are expected to contend every year.
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Enjoy getting into the tourney. If you make the Final 4 make it memorable for you.
All I will say is I hope whoever Alabama’s “them” team is, I hope you won’t have to face them before the final game.
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As a long-suffering Alabama Hoops fan our “Them” is usually Alabama Basketball.
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Utes will be in the dance. Pelle Larsson and Timmy Allen. Ok, former Utes, but it’s all we got.
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Just watched VCU vs Dayton – I’m envious.
And David Jenkins for Purdue. He has been playing well. Do Ian Martinez and the terrapins make it?
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Unfortunately I had noticed that Timmy hasn’t played the last few games due to injury. When I googled Timmy Allen injury, hit on stories that give me the perception it’s not long term and it hopeful he plays in the tourney. No in state teams other than Aggies (should be in) made it but at least Zona beat the traitorous Bruins last night. (Just as soon see the LA schools both lose their first round while pulling for the other PAC schools that make it)
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Utah State is 10th seed
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