Maybe we haven't had enough time to think about it, but I'd like to challenge everyone to post here the one or two images of this season that you think will come to mind whe you think about this year's Ute team.

I have three vivid memories:

1. Alex diving for a rebound in the BYU game in the MWC tournament and wresting it, while on the floor, from Nate Call. The Utes played poorly in that game, but ALex was still throwing his body into the fray just to get a loose ball. It sticks out in my mind as a typical moment.

2. Hanno walking out onto the Huntsman Center floor after he hurt his elbow and thumbs, wearing those contraptions on his elbow and hand-- and then playing a great game against UNLV. I still don't think he is getting the credit he deserves for playing hurt and playing well while hurt. Did anyone notice that he, at 70%, was one of the two CBS players of the game?

3. Jeff Johnsen's junky three-pointer against St. Louis. Jeff had a rough last third of the season (seemed out of control a lot) but that shot seemed to symbolize the Ute effort this year-- ugly, but gutty and courageous, and usually enough to win. Enough to win a conference co-championship, extend a great home winning streak, get to the round of 32 in the Dance, and make every real Ute fan proud.

Next year will be fun and could be really great. I know many have urged caution, because so many players will be new or returning missionaries, but Rick Majerus has had success before with new players. (Remember his 30-4 team with Josh Grant, Walter Watts, Paul Afeaki, and the rest? That was his first year after his heart surgery, unless I'm mistaken.) So we have reason to be optimistic and excited.

Before I forget, I'd like to thank good old New York for carrying the torch of optimism for all of us during the past year. With is inimitable style, he certainly helped me avoid losing perspective when things weren't going so well.

But for now, one last focus on this year: What will you remember from "The Year of the Utes with Heart"?

I'd agree with the three that you've listed and, though I didn't get the opportunity to see this one myself (I'm an out-of-stater now, unfortunately), I think that many of us will remember the screen that Dennis Smith set that sent the opposing player into the tunnel.
 

My favorite memories this years is just watching Alex Jensen game in and game out give everything he has. Most memorable Alex Jensen performance was resurrecting the Air Force game in Colorado Springs with heads up plays.

I admire Hanno Mottolla for his courageous season filled with injuries and still performing at a high level (1st round NBA pick).

I feel empathy for Tony Harvey and Jeremy Killion for playing out of position and shackling their games for the good of the team. I also like Harvey's comment in this morning's trib where he wished it was Salt Lake City, CA near the beach, says he'll always be a Ute.

all in all a great year, I never did have a great expectation yesterday that Utah would beat #1 seed Michigan St. That being said, they lead at halftime and still had a 6 point lead with about 17 1/2 minutes left in the game.

1. Today's gutsy effort.

2. Hanno scoring 31 against Texas.

3. The UNLV game in Salt Lake.

4. Alex Jensen never losing at home.

Now we have a long 5 months to wait until Utes football. I appreciate all the interesting posts throughout this season by so many of you. It has been fun.

Adding to my decades' long store of images with more gritty performances on the court (unfortunately, it all begins to run together). How about an almost implausible second-round tournament game against the pre/post season no. one (my mind wanders to the scene at the bridge in Monte Python's "Holy Grail" where the single knight stands[??] with "just a scratch")? Thanks to all of you.

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