I'm far from an expert on evaluating NFL-level talent, but I'm surprised John White didn't at least sign as a free agent.

by 77ute 2013-04-29 13:44:53

What's the deal? Too small? Not quite fast enough? Injury concerns? All of the above. Seems to me that less talented former Ute running backs have gotten looks in the past from NFL teams.

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Weekend sports thoughts...

by 77ute 2013-04-22 11:18:31

The Spring Game was entertaining. I try not to get to worked up either way after the game, but I was impressed with the offense. Yes, the defense didn't blitz or stunt, kept to a simple set and was missing a number of impact performers, but as Whit said, this is usually how spring games are and the offense hasn't performed like this.

Wilson looked much better than last season. Again, I know it was just a spring game, but his delivery was impressive. Poole, Williams and Radley exceeded my expectations. By the way, what ever happened to Jarell Oliver? I haven't heard a thing about him this spring.

Kenneth Scott could be an All-Conference performer if he gets the ball thrown to him enough. And I think McClellon could be terrific.

The schedule is going to be a beast this year, but I fully expect this team to be better than last year's particularly on offense.

I'm not a huge NBA guy, but I loved watching Andre Miller dominate the fourth quarter in Denver's win. I knew he was going to score the game-winning basket. I can't think of a more under-appreciated, underrated player in the NBA in the last two decades. And he does it so quietly and with little or no fanfare.

Bogut had an impact as well, grabbing 14 boards in 25 minutes or so. Nice to see former Utes getting the job done!

My 8-year-old soccer team is unbeatable. We've won 17 in a row!

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Quite a stat line from the Ole Miss-Wisconsin game.

by 77ute 2013-03-22 12:45:37

Marshall Henderson fires up 21 shots, hitting six, while Wisconsin shoots a blistering 25%, including 7-30 from three-point range. Yikes!

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I would just like to point out that 36-year-old former Ute legend Andre Miller had 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in just 23 minutes in the Nuggets' win over OKC.

by 77ute 2013-03-19 21:04:05

Truly one of the most underrated NBA players in the last 20 years.

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Insightfully deep and profound quote from Oregon coach Dana Altman:

by 77ute 2013-03-15 12:35:18

“They are playing really well. They’ve got a lot of guys that can score and they’re running stuff.”

They're "running stuff"? Really, coach? That's very astute of you to notice. Of course, the Utes' last coach wasn't "running stuff" so this is a nice change I guess.

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What can I say about last night's game? What a gutsy effort by the Utes!

by 77ute 2013-03-15 08:44:12

When they got down 44-36 midway through the second half, I was doubtful they would come back. It was so nice to see the team come through in the clutch.

Getting to the NCAAs is still a longshot--Utah still has to win two games over two good opponents. But let's dream and say they win the conference tournament. What seed in the NCAAs would they get at 17-17? I'm thinking 14. How fun would it be to see a match-up with New Mexico!?

OK, I'm getting ahead of myself. But regardless of what happens to tonight against Oregon--and I think the Utes can win, but it'll be tough--I'm very happy with the way the team has responded these past two weeks. What a great springboard into next season. Yes, losing Washburn and Dubois will hurt, and Martin's defense and toughness will be missed. But young guys like Loveridge, Taylor, Olsen and Tucker have gotten valuable experience. I'm not going to get carried away and say this is a Sweet 16 team next year or anything, but I think it's safe to say Larry K has this program on the right track. Last night's win might have been the most gratifying bkb victory since the 2005 NCAA tournament win over Oklahoma.

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Best half the Utes have played all season?

by 77ute 2013-03-09 13:28:39

Considering the opponent, I'd have to say yes. I get that Oregon is probably tired playing the second game in three nights in high altitude. But this is D1 college basketball, and I can't go for that excuse too much.

Good half for the Utes. Now please, please don't let up! Please, let's get back to back conference wins for the first time since joining the Pac 12.

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Disappointed to not see Andre Miller on this list.

by 77ute 2013-02-22 13:02:25

http://espn.go.com/ncb/feature/video/_/pa ge/Top75players/ncaa-75-college-basketball

Most of the players here are good choices, but I was sure I'd find Miller somewhere. I believe he's one of only two or three players to get triple doubles in the NCAA tournament. He led a somewhat unheralded Utah team to the national title game with tremendous performances in back to back games over No. 1 seeds.

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It's way, way early, and who knows how much stock you can put in these guys. But this writer isn't given the Utes much of a shot next year.

by 77ute 2013-02-14 13:41:38

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1266668.html

However, to be honest, it is difficult to find a lot of wins on this schedule. While I'm optimistic Utah will get to at least five wins next season, the task could be daunting.

On the other hand, Utah often does better when expectations are not as high. So I'm hoping they do something similar to what Oregon State did last year. In 2011, the Beavers went 3-9; last year they went 9-4 and were in the top 25 much of the year.

A lot of work is ahead for the team. Let's hope they surprise some folks.

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My 21-year-old nephew took his life on Wednesday after a long battle with depression and other issues.

by 77ute 2013-02-01 13:20:03

Mental illness is a serious condition. If you or someone you know struggles with any mental or psychological issues, please get some help!

It may be easy to judge those who resort to these tragic acts, but one never knows what is going on the minds of these people.

Sorry if this isn't the right forum for this type of comment. Just had to put some feelings down.

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Is this the best headline Dick Harmon could come up with?

by 77ute 2013-01-23 15:09:05

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865571 260/BYU-Basketball-Dave-Rose-Mark-Few-face -off-as-top-hoopmiesters.html

Sadly, it probably is.

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Yes, playing against Copper Hills High School is A LOT different than playing against Arizona and UCLA, but if this guy can do half this much next season, we may be on the way to solving the Utes' long-range shooting woes.

by 77ute 2013-01-23 09:47:20

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865571 254/High-school-boys-basketball-Brightons- Brandon-Miller-lights-it-up-from-3-all-nig ht-in-rout.html

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Finally! First conference road win since joining the PAC-12! Here's to many more!

by 77ute 2013-01-19 23:07:32

I was pretty down on the program after the USC and Wazzu games, but praise is in order for Larry K and his squad tonight.

I got pretty nervous those last two minutes with the missed free throws and Washington hitting a couple of threes. But Utah hung on. This is a significant win and hopefully the start of good things.

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Sorry if already mentioned. Perhaps not huge losses, but who is the starting place kicker next season?

by 77ute 2013-01-19 07:26:10

http://utahutes.blogs.deseretnews.com/201 3/01/12/marsh-reese-transferring-from-utah -football-program/

Too bad Reese never contributed much. Coming in a couple of years ago he was a four-star WR.

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Sorry if this has been mentioned, but Van Dyke will play at the U next year and delay his mission.

by 77ute 2013-01-17 09:10:22

Please, please tell me he can hit open shots with some degree of consistency.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsutahspo rts/55646529-59/dyke-van-utah-season.html. csp

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What an absolutely crappy year for Ute sports.

by 77ute 2013-01-17 08:59:13

The last time Utah football and men's basketball each had losing records was '83-'84 when football went 5-6 and basketball went 11-19. I was 6 when this happened.

I could blame it partly on the move to the PAC-12, but in the case of basketball, the MWC is a stronger conference, so remaining there wouldn't help.

These failures goes all the way up to Chris Hill. He needs to challenge the coaches and start getting serious about winning. (OK, I'm not suggesting he isn't serious about winning, but something needs to change.)

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I love the improvement, the effort and the competitiveness but these close, down-to-the-wire losses are killers.

by 77ute 2013-01-10 21:30:51

At some point, this team has got to come through in the clutch and deliver. My fear is that these excruciating close calls are going to utterly demoralize these young players.

The pieces are almost all in place for Utah to get back to a 20-win team. Please Larry K, find a Nick Jacobson/Phil Dixon type outside shooter!

All in all, I love what Larry is doing; this team is better than I thought it would be. Be three brutally close losses to good teams is agony. Of course, so was 6-25.

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I hate losing, and these heartbreaking losses are maddening.

by 77ute 2013-01-05 21:02:41

But how can you not like the way this team is playing? I think it's apparent to anyone that Larry K knows what he is doing and that he has assembled a great staff. This is a team that went 6-25 last year and that lost a bunch of games by 20, 30 or 40 points. There were some points last season that I didn't think Utah could've beaten a jr. college team.

Now, with a virtually entirely new team filled with transfers and true freshmen, Larry K's team is a handful of plays, better luck and kinder bounces away from being 13-1. The defense and effort are sensational, and the execution hasn't been this good since the Fat Man roamed the sidelines.

On the negative side, the offense needs improvement. However, for the most part poor offense--and as a result, the losses--has been due to shots simply not falling. This isn't because of coaching or effort. This will improve with time, experience, developed talent and a with a knack for coming through in the clutch.

I daresay I haven't seen a coaching performance like this since '90-'91 when Majerus, in his first full season, took a team largely built from young players and unheralded players (save Josh Grant) that was picked to finish sixth in the WAC went 30-4 and to the Sweet 16. Now this Ute team obviously won't get near that kind of mark but the way it has exceeded expectations and has gotten the most out of what it has, has been similar to that Majerus team.

I honestly think a postseason berth is possible this year and that this team can get to the NCAAs next year.

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Losing always sucks but give Utah credit for being right there to win it.

by 77ute 2013-01-02 22:19:15

ASU isn't great (and they sure didn't play well tonight) but losing by one on the road in conference play is nothing to hang your head about.

A few observations:

1- I've been critical of Washburn for four years but he had a monster game tonight. Can't recall the last time a Ute had 18 rebounds--I assume '05 with Bogut.
2- Loveridge will be very good but the kid has got to learn how to finish. He misses far too many close-range shots. The kid hustles his butt off, though.
3- This team plays the best team defense of any Ute team since Majerus was here.
4- Someone needs to consistently hit pull-up jumpers.

All in all, this team is moving forward--light years ahead of last year's squad.

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I am envious of Baylor's offense. Heck, tonight I am envious of their defense.

by 77ute 2012-12-27 21:45:24

Watching this and other bowl games so far has actually been discouraging because I realize how far Utah is from being a legitimate team again.

Not saying it can't or won't be done, but it's going to take a lot of work and a lot of changes.

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Dear Kyle Whittingham: You are a defensive-minded coach; your team is going into its third year in a BCS conference; you have better resources than the program has ever had. Please get out and recruit a linebacker like Kyle Van Noy.

by 77ute 2012-12-20 20:58:34

Can't stand BYU but I'll tell you, if Utah had a Van Noy clone this year I swear they beat USU, UCLA and Arizona. The kid is good. And if he comes back to BYU for his senior year, he's crazy.

Utah has no one at LB with anywhere close to the talents Van Noy has. Please, Kyle, find someone like him!

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Maybe Parker will pull a Chris Burgess again and not only spurn BYU for Duke but then transfer after two years to Utah!

by 77ute 2012-12-20 15:01:52

We can dream, right? Of course, I'm sure he's a one-and-done player anyway. Good luck to him.

For what it's worth, ESPN televised his school's game against another high-profile team, and Parker was very unimpressive. I have read, though, that he has been battling injuries.

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Boy, a day like today makes me feel really foolish for getting up tight--even angry, I dare say--over poor play calling, missed tackles and lack of discipline on the football field.

by 77ute 2012-12-14 12:26:55

I can't believe what happened in Conn. today. It makes me absolutely sick. I don't care who you are, what your political persuasions may be, what religion you follow, if any, or what your situation in life may be, this senseless act leaves a pit in my stomach and an aching for the victims of this inconceivably horrible tragedy.

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So apparently Jabari Parker is announcing his college choice on Dec. 20. There's no way he chooses BYU, right?

by 77ute 2012-12-12 13:46:16

I couldn't take it. If you thought Jimmermania was bad, this would be even worse because the guy is ultra-hyped already. The local media would be insufferable in its coverage of and drooling over the kid.

I have to believe it's down to Duke and Michigan State. I get the LDS connection to BYU but why turn down a chance to play for Izzo or coach K in the Big 10 or ACC to play in the mighty WCC in opposing high school gyms on ESPNU (maybe) at midnight Eastern?

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I will speak objectively here: I have never watched a team in any sport at any level whose home crowd boos more than BYU.

by 77ute 2012-12-08 19:31:13

It's quite embarrassing really. Davies could catch the ball at the 3-point line and run to the basket for a layup without dribbling, and the fans would boo the travel call. Here's some important news Zoob fans: your players do commit fouls; they do turn the ball over.

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When is the last time the Ute football team had two All-Americans in the same season but finished with a losing record?

by 77ute 2012-12-06 11:36:46

I'm guessing never. Haven't been too many seasons in which Utah has had two All-Americans period.

Too bad Utah couldn't have utilized Reggie more or that Star couldn't have gotten more help.

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Make no mistake about it: Boise State was a good team. Perhaps they were way off their game tonight but whatever the case may be, this was the biggest Ute basketball win since the 2008-09 season.

by 77ute 2012-12-05 20:29:53

I'm not going to get carried away and say this team is NCAA tournament bound, but the vast improvement is wonderful to behold.

I'm certain Utah will still have some bumps in conference play but having already equaled last year's win total after just eight games is saying a lot (and, yes, I realize the schedule hasn't been terribly difficult).

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In honor of the tribute to Majerus tonight, and to continue the many discussions of his tenure here, I present my All-Majerus team.

by 77ute 2012-12-05 12:56:43

The following represents the top players that played under Majerus at Utah. Note, I did not include Andrew Bogut, who was indeed recruited by Majerus but only played half a season under him. Feel free to disagree.

First Team:
G- Andre Miller
G- Nick Jacobson
C- Michael Doleac
F- Keith Van Horn
F- Josh Grant

Second Team:
G- Jimmy Soto
G- Brandon Jessie
C- Walter Watts
F- Hanno Mottola
F- Alex Jensen

Third Team:
G- Marc Jackson
G- Byron Wilson
C- Tim Frost
F- Phil Dixon
F- Britton Johnsen

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Just rememered another Majerus memory.

by 77ute 2012-12-04 12:55:59

The summer between my ninth and 10th grades--so before the '91-'92 basketball season--I attended the Rick Majerus basketball camp. I remember it being very difficult because as I ninth-grader, I hadn't yet hit my big growth spurt (that would come a year later). I was 5'9" and was grouped with a bunch of people 6'0" and above.

Anyway, I remember at one point being seated on the floor with all the other campers, listening to Majerus. He asked how many of us had a goal of playing in the NBA. Virtually everyone rose their hand. He replied by saying we should all make different plans and to study hard in school and go to college. He said, "Your chance of making it to the NBA is less than me becoming president of the Mormon Church."

I wasn't sure at the time whether to laugh or take him seriously.

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I have this strong desire to take the next several days and watch a bunch of old Ute basketball games that I've recorded onto DVD.

by 77ute 2012-12-02 16:29:45

There were so many terrific games in the '90s and early 2000s that Majerus orchestrated into wins. I could make a very lengthy list of memorable victories and moments during his tenure.

The '98 tournament wins over Arizona and UNC are obvious ones, as is the '97 tournament win over Stanford; loved the '95 WAC tournament win over UNM when Utah won by 36 in the PIT; loved the 30-point drubbing over the Lobos to clinch the '99 WAC crown in a game Utah led by as many as 42; the '91 and '93 conference-title-clinching wins over BYU were memorable as well.

Who could forget the back-to-back buzzer-beaters in the '97 WAC tournament? How about the dominating 42-point home win over UNLV in 2000? Majerus took good player and made them great. He could outcoach anyone. He knew how to contain the opposing team's best player, and he did it all the time.

I have fond memories as a teen sitting beside the radio listening to win after win and then hearing Majerus' post-game remarks.

Rick had his flaws, as we all do. But now is the time to reflect on all he did for Utah basketball and for the university. It's a shame he left the U of U as early as he did. And, it's a greater shame he left this life so early.

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