I believed this was a season of destiny when ColoUte banked in that crumpled up memo from 35 feet away (or was it 50?), but now I know for certain it's true. My story....

Tonight I had one of them classic church basketball games where both teams forfeit so it becomes a find-whoever-you-can-that-hangs-out-near-the-church-and-play game. Somehow I ended up on a team with two other scrubs along with a toothless guy in levi's and the kid with ridiculous cut-off sweats that made sound effects every time he caught or shot the ball.

Now I must preface this by saying that Homer Simpson would say that I am the suckiest suck that ever sucked. I am not good. My team was getting worked in a large way in the first half....then I decided to take over. I got going with a layup in side off a nice feed. A minute later I picked up a loose ball at the top of the key for a crazy three...swish. I knew it was destiny when sound effects boy drained a three. The gap was closing fast. We got some fastbreak layups and we were right back in it. I took fast break one on three, pulled up at the top of the key, off-balance, threw up the shot....nothing but...backboard and net. We took the lead.

"I am Kevin Bradley!" I shouted in some guy's face.

Next time down I pulled up on the wing for three....airball. But that's okay, I knew it was fate. We forged a lead after my pretty pump-fake from three, get my man in the air, one dribble and swish at the top of the key. I was starting to pull shots off that I'd never hit before in my life. Destiny was on our side. We had a three point lead with less than a minute. I locked up my guy.

"I am Travis Spivey!" I shouted at him.

Nobody seemed to care who I thought I was...but it was fate, dangit. They got about thirty chances for the game-tying three as my team rebounded like we were the relief society. But they missed. The horn sounded and this team of scrubs won in the most unlikely fashion. I take no credit for it. I've never hit shots like that before and I never will again.

It's a Spring of Destiny, I now know it is true!

Just like my team of scrubs, the Utes will not go down. Thanks for saving me a seat next to ColoUte on that bandwagon to Minneapolis. Brethren it is good to be on board.

Go Utes!!!! Don't get caught watchin' the paint dry!!!!

Can Someone Help Me Find the Wheel That Flew Off the Bandwagon Last Night?

Posted By: Utah Hick <ldtclowa@ihc.com>
Date: Friday, 2 March 2001, at 9:37 a.m.

Damn, it's going to be a long ride to Las Vegas on a 3-wheeled wagon. The Utes need 4 in a row. Their strength of schedule is their only argument for an at-large bid, but too many other bubble teams at least have a victory over top 25 or top 50 competition. The Committee would be very ignorant to not notice losses to Weber State, SUU, and Air Force (although SUU may be their conference champion).

Frankly, the Utes deserve criticism after last night's pitiful performance. Burgess and Jeff Johnsen were the only players who showed much heart, although Burgess only showed up in the second half, and JJ gave up 3 shots from the far corner with the shot clock winding down.

I credit Hunsaker for going to the zone, because Utah could not guard the passing/cutting game. Also, kudos to Bellairs and Croff, both of whom always play well against Utah.

How Last Night's Loss to Air Force Fits Into Our Final Four Trip

Posted By: High Priest of the Holy Church of the Majerus(Mr. Crimson)
Date: Friday, 2 March 2001, at 9:36 a.m.

I come before you, my congregation, a shaken man. As I sat shaking in the corner of a dark room weeping last night I wondered, could I be a false prophet? The signs were so clear: my vision, ColoUte's memo into the trash can, Utestar believing, could it all be for naught? After a night of soul-searching and bratwurst-eating, Majerus came to me in another vision.

We all became to prideful, too excited about beating an average basketball team on our home floor, essentially we thought we had accomplished something when instead we did nothing. In essence the holy Majerus taught us a lesson. It was not getting up for BYU that would make us great, it was getting up for Air Force and not losing to them to make sure we take care of the teams that we should that would make us great. I learned last night that Utah football exists solely to teach us this lesson.

There is a solution. Tonight each of you must go home, fire up your grills and eat bratwurst like you've never eaten it before, pour kraut over them, devour them, drop to your knees, bear your soul to the Majerus and beg forgivness. It is the only way and tonight is the only night possible.

It Was My Memo, Dangit...

Posted By: McGyverUte (ColoUte) <everutes@hotmail.com>
Date: Friday, 2 March 2001, at 10:21 a.m.

And I'm not hopping off this thing. I've broken out my Swiss Army knife, bailing wire and duct tape, and I'm piecing this bandwagon back together. I'll be the Malachi (Children of the Corn reference) to this Final Four Cult. I'm not allowing any loss of faith at this point. This loss was a strategic move by Hunsaker...Nothing more.

He was worried about dropping down to too low a seed. He wants a #8 or #9 (He would've liked the #16, but the team wouldn't cooperate in mid-season) because he wants to dispatch the #1 seed in the first weekend. After that team is out of the way, it's clear sailing to Minneapolis.

The Wadded-up Pointless memo has spoken.

You all can thank me later by picking up my tab at Hooters on March 31st.

GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can all thank me for Saturday's win

Posted By: Put it on the Underhill's Bill (Mr. Crimson)
Date: Sunday, 4 March 2001, at 10:38 a.m.

OK Friday during lent meant I had to eat Fried Fish and eat I did. I also went and lit candles in honor of our savior Majerus, our great saints Van Horn, Miller, Doleac, Mottola, Jensen, the triangle and two defense and whoever started the trend of shirts that show stomachs and low cut leather pants. Saturday I awoke and made Bratwurst and eggs for breakfast and then on my way to an arts festival that I planned for work I gave three bucks to a homeless guy who told me he wanted a beer. Beer goes with Brats and I knew it was the final sign. While my cholestoral has sored the Utes are the #1 seed. I'm glad I could help.

This is the kind of personal sacrifice that makes Lent meaningful.

Posted By: St. Francis of the Fastbreak (aka Gilly)
Date: Sunday, 4 March 2001, at 10:43 a.m.

I fasted during the entire Lady Utes' game yesterday, and not only did I feal a spiritual cleansing, but both Utah teams won. I'm sure the concession stand was wondering why they had so many polish dogs left over.

Make room for one more on the bandwagon

Posted By: DC Ute
Date: Monday, 5 March 2001, at 5:17 a.m.

because I'm jumping on.

I've wanted to jump on for some time now, but I've been waiting for a sign. I got it on Saturday. My old lucky game day sweatshirt was starting to wear out, both in its appearance and its ability to bring the Utes victories. On Friday I got my new Crimson Club sweatshirt in the mail (finally) and decided to test it out on the New Mexico game. We all know the result.

Sign received. I'm on the bandwagon.

Time for a new bandwagon!!! Crimson, Gilly, everyone else-- check this out!

Posted By: L.A. Ute! <la_ute@hotmail.com>
Date: Sunday, 11 March 2001, at 7:22 p.m.

(Disclaimer for those who may be a little "slow on the uptake" or lack a sense of humor: The following is one part TIC and one part the result of a desire to have some fun with the cards dealt us. No one needs to become anxious or irritated by it.)

OK, Ute fans. I just learned the following while visiting the NIT web site:

"In the past, there have been several teams that have had a final four finish in the NIT in one year and then followed it up the following year with a final four finish in the NCAA."

I couldn't paste the list in here, but the link is below. Key facts: Thirteen teams have gone to the NCAA Final Four the year following their appearance in the NIT Final Four. Four of those teams (gulp!) won the NCAA title in that following year. So the Utes' descent into the NIT this year is not a setback, it's only another step along the road to their destiny!!! The Utes are STILL headed to the Final Four. You guys were just a year early. Keep that bandwagon rolling!

(Further note: I know this history is old and comes from a different era. Never mind! We're having fun here, remember?)

The bandwagon continues

That settles it

Posted By: Gilly
Date: Sunday, 11 March 2001, at 8:06 p.m.

If this bandwagon is going to New York this year, then Europe, then to the Final Four next year (help me -- where is that?) then, Mr. Crimson, we are going to need those shocks and a whole lot more. We need to turn this baby in the Maddencruiser and get us some serious amenities if we're gonna be on it for 13 months.

Go Utes!

The redesign of the Bandwagon

Posted By: Let's Go to Work (Mr. Crimson)
Date: Sunday, 11 March 2001, at 9:46 p.m.

Folks as Gilly mentioned below the plans have changed but the destination remains the same, Final Four. Only it will be the Final Four 2002 (who the hell wants to go to Minnesota anyway) In the mean time there will be stops in New York, France and Spain I believe and the Maui Classic next year. So we need this thing to be able to float and fly, new shocks are not going to do it. Lets back the Utes and the Lady Utes and start this thing really rolling so that next year there is no chance of stopping us.

Cut the Complacency

Posted By: Hungry Hump-backed Chub
Date: Thursday, 22 March 2001, at 8:34 p.m.

I’ve been watching Kentucky – USC, and UCLA – Duke in the sweet 16. It makes me hungry.

I feel guilty about taking a great Utah program for granted. I feel guilty about taking Utah getting into the NCAA tournament for granted.

I’m hungry.

I saw Utah beat Stanford and enjoyed the game. I didn’t fully appreciate it.

I want to get on an airplane again and see Utah in a regional.

I didn’t see Utah beat North Carolina in San Antonio. What a fool I was.

I saw Kentucky beat Utah in San Jose. I saw Kentucky beat Utah in Minneapolis. I didn’t see Kentucky beat Utah in San Antonio. What a fool I was.

I’m hungry.

I’m looking forward to next year. Next year, I will not be so damned quiet sitting in my season tickets.

I will not take for granted that Utah will win most of its games.

I will not take for granted that Utah will win the conference championship.

I will not take for granted that Utah will get an NCAA tournament bid.

I will do everything I can to attend every Utah NCAA tournament game.

I feel guilty as sin. I’ve been complacent. But now I’m hungry.

Welcome back Coach Majerus.

And I like Bob Knight’s Minute Maid commercial.

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