HOOPS: Some thoughts...
Posted By: Senioritis
Date: Saturday, 2 March 2002, at 3:40 p.m.
Wyoming won this conference when they won at the JMHC. Period.
Say what you want about Jacobson, I'm glad he's a Ute for 2 more years.
Some people point to shows such as Road Rules, Survivor, and Who wants to marry a millionaire? as proof that TV execs will do anything to generate ratings. My proof? Showing that rodent Steve McLain every other shot. Really, is this how far we, as a society, have sunk? I can't help but think of him going Van Gundy on Uche's leg in the middle of the pandemonium at mid court. I wish nothing worse on the guy than meeting up with Wild Bill Marcroft at reststop on I-80. If I were a Wyoming fan, no matter how much he did for the program, I'd be embarrassed. But I suppose they say the same thing about Majerus.
Wyoming won the game today with some serious clutch at the foul line.
I can't help but wonder how good Phil Cullen could have been if he were a 1 sport guy. Not that I blame him. That said, I think he could eat corn on the cob through a chain link fence.
Cam Koford looks like Herman Munster. Period.
In my heart of hearts, I hope that the Pampas Cats can squeak out a road win at CSU tonight and grab the 3 seed for the tournament. That way, if the Utes take care of business in the first round, they've got a good shot of playing the Zoobs in the semis and the Pokes in the finals. Of course, I'll revise that prediction when SDSU and New Mexico are duking it out on Saturday night.
Every time I see that fat cowboy dancing the can-can to Cotton-Eye Joe in the aisle, one name goes through my head. Mr. Crimson. Do you know this guy? Are you this guy? Are you in his belly? Or are my psychic powers as off as Phil Cullen?
I think we Ute fans have been spoiled. I couldn't help but wonder if the JMHC would have had the same kind of energy that AA did today, were the game played there. I'd like to think so, but I'm not sure. Sometimes we get so spoiled by past success that we miss out on much of the joy of cheering for a team that's less than perfect, but plays their nuts off and competes every single night.
Cam Koford seriously contributes. I can only imagine what Burgess would have done.
Does this mean Detroit would beat us home and away?
Looking forward to seeing you all in Vegas. Go Utes!
HOOPS: Thanks For an Incredible Game
Posted By: UDUBGradStudent
Date: Saturday, 2 March 2002, at 5:24 p.m.
I for one feel that somehow somebody managed to screw up and the schedule actually ended with a truly meaningful game. I thought that both teams were incredible, both had runs and slack spells, and both played a game that was in my mind classic.
I would like to thank the Utah fans for not only being some of the classiest, but also the most thoughtful and basketball-savvy fans out there.
While I realize that we at Wyoming jumped up and down, screamed and yelled like little kids at Christmas, I can't be too embarassed. You folks have been blessed by this for years and this is the first outright conference championship Wyoming has seen in B-Ball since 1982. In a way, we are exuberant because we are young, but we are not ready to finish yet (now Wyoming has the streak of championships at 2).
In the end, it is meaningful and not meaningful - we still suffer from our own problems of schedule strength (no excuses), and need wins in the tournement. Anyway, at the end of 4 games in 8 days, with the Pokes winning 3, I must say that for now we feel good - while you Utes can feel better with a strong schedule and better chance to go dancing.
Thanks to your team, and thanks to you.
HOOPS: The view from the smoky sports bar
Posted By: Ute_In_Texas
Date: Sunday, 3 March 2002, at 11:39 a.m.
A competitive, entertaining game.
GOOD STUFF--------------------
Wonder if Nick called "glass" on the two he banked in? Nice to see him stroking freely again.
Fabulous defensive effort by the Utes. Opened many possessions in a zone, then switched to man midway through the possession. Completely confused the Wyoming guards so they were not able to make a clean entry pass. It took Amadi out of the game, which was clearly a Ute goal.
Utes hustled back on defense so hard that I don't remember Wyoming getting a sigle fast break bucket. Excellent!!
Superb job on the boards against a bigger, physically stronger team. The blocking-out was so good the Utes picked up some of the defensive rebounds after they bounced. Outstanding!!
Utes dictated the pace of the game. I am mildly surprised they weren't able to take more advantage of this, but Wyoming adjusted well. Give some credit to McClain for having prepared his team for the slower pace.
Free throw shooting rebounded to respectable level (75%). Hope that keeps going.
BAD STUFF---------------------
Another shaky line from the bench. 53 minutes, 4 points, 1-10 shooting, 9 boards (good!), 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls.
A rare poor shooting day for Cullen, but gotta give him props for playing Amadi even on the glass.
Wyoming bench outscored Ute bench 13-4. This was an important factor, as the altitude meant the benches played more minutes than usual.
TURNOVERS!! The Utes had 2 streaks where they suddenly became prone to turnovers. Many were unforced. In the last 3 minutes of the first half I counted 4 turnovers in 5 possessions. Then with around 11 minutes to go in the game, I counted another stretch of 4 turnovers in 5 possesions. Also there was the turnover on the botched inbounds play with 8 seconds left when the game was on the line. Ouch!!
QUESTION----------------------
I wonder what happened on that last inbounds play with 8 seconds to go. Did anyone hear an explanation? It looked like someone didn't run the play correctly, but I couldn't tell for sure.
SUMMARY-------------------------
Curious defense by Wyoming. I am guessing they decided Nick's slump would continue, and seemed to concentrate on choking off the Utes inside game (weak as it is). It worked inside as the Ute "bigs" were non-factors on offense and several entry passes got knocked loose for turnovers. BUT it gave the Utes a lot of open looks from outside and Nick nearly shot the Utes into a win. If Cullen hits one of those open 3's, Utes win. But he didn't, so gotta give McClain credit for thinking creatively on defense.
If you look at the box score, it's hard to believe the Utes lost this one until you see the turnover column. I saw the game, and my only disappointment comes from how many of the turnovers were unforced.
The way the Wyoming PG shoots free throws (35 in a row?) clearly influenced the strategy late in the game. Shows how important it is that your PG shoot free throws well.
Like I said above, a fun game to watch. Utes had a chance to win, which is all you can ask when playing the first place team on the road in this conference. Props to the Utes for the big effort. Props to Wyoming for pulling this one out.
HOOPS: Thoughts
Posted By: BigUte
Date: Monday, 4 March 2002, at 12:25 p.m.
I was without a computer all weekend so I haven't posted anything about the Wyoming game nor read the posts below. I'll just share some of my thoughts.
1. The game Saturday was a great game. The Utes have no reason to hang their head over that game. The effort was good and the game was there to win at the end. The inability to inbound the ball with 8 seconds left was unfortunate. Although the TV camera didn't stay on Jacobsen after releaseing the last shot, it didn't appear he was fouled (btw - what was the Wyoming player thinking?). I have no reasons to blame officials for the loss, we were just beat down the stretch.
2. Congrats to Wyoming. They swept us this year and won the league. They have a good team and deserve the championship. I know many on this board hate Wyoming almost as much as BYU but I feel differently. If anyone in the league was to beat Utah for the championship, I'd just as soon it be Wyoming over anyone else.
3. What is up with Britton's air ball from the line? That was a really bad shot! I'm not sure what he is thinking when he's at the line but a shot that bad is just inexcusable.
4. Looking back at the season, the games that stand out that cost us the championship are the loss at home and the BYU loss. First, you need to win at home and we let Wyoming take that one from us. Second, a 20 point lead should be secure at all times and in all places. Those games, not the one last Saturday, were the causes for not winning the league.
5. Here's hoping for a nice tournament. I still prefer winning the regular season title over the tournament. The regular season is a real indication of a true champion - not a gimmick. Having said that, I hope we win three games this week to at least get some kind of championship this year.
HOOPS: I thought Wyoming should have been called for a foul on the last play just for pure stupidity...
Posted By: Mr.
Crimson
Date: Saturday, 2 March 2002, at 6:34 p.m.
Agreed that is not why we lost but why in the hell are you jumping at a big long 3 with no time on the clock and being up four. That was just dumb, luckily for Wyoming the officials had no desire to be gunned down by 16,000 drunk and armed fans.
P.S. Wyoming fans reading this, I'm not making excuses, this post is what we call, toungue-in-cheek, a concept that should reach Wyoming around 2007. In other words I'm making a joke except for the part about jumping at the guy shooting a 30 foot 3 that was just dumb.
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