A buddy of mine in the heart of Salt Lake often runs his mouth when it comes to the rivalry game, regardless of the sport. Prior to the game at the Huntsman Center, his taunt directed at Utah fans led to a fairly lengthy thread of comments on Facebook. As of yesterday afternoon, no such taunt had been posted on his account, so I called him out on it. He retorted that "the Ute fans don't care. It's no fun to talk trash without any argument." I think that about sums up Utah basketball right now, and probably for the foreseeable future. Whoever takes over after Boylen (if not next season, certainly the one after that) will have a large rebuilding project, and will have to do it in a rising Pac 12 conference, with UCLA, Arizona, and Washington State showing signs of life. Colorado has also been improving in the Big 12.
So now, here is a list of things I am watching for today, since I think the outcome of the game is fairly obvious.
Utah
1) Are they going to finally score some points? In the last 3 games they have scored 54, 49, and 53. They haven't had more than two guys score in double figures since January 29th. They haven't won a game since January 22nd. They have only scored more than 70 points on the road twice all season: 75 in a win at TCU and 79 in a loss at Portland. You have to figure they need at least 70 points to have any shot of being within reach of BYU. With Watkins ability to drive (and BYU's inability to keep penetration out of the lane), it will be up to the 3-point shooters to hit open shots. Utah is under 34% on the season from three. They will have to be better to score points.
2) How will they stop Jimmer and BYU? Last game they guarded The Jimmer with 7 different players. While he had the "hardest" time against Will Clyburn, it's tough to say he had a hard time against anybody when he scored 47 points on 57% shooting, 67% from the three-point line, and 9-9 on free throws, while dishing out 6 assists. All five starters got in double figures. BYU had its best offensive road output of the season at Utah. Will the Utes play any zone? What other tactics will they try? Nothing worked last time.
3) How do they start the game? They are coming off an embarrassing performance at SDSU, combined with the 25-point blowout loss to BYU earlier in the season. Do they have any pride? Are they going to quit or will they come out fighting? The answer to that question may very well determine Boylen's future. Of course, if they come out literally fighting (see backhand slap from Marshall on Emery during last season's game in Provo), that may decide Boylen's future as well...
BYU
1) Will the role players (read: non-Jimmers) continue to roll? Rogers and Abouo have played well offensively for a few straight games. Emery got hot again in the second half at Air Force. Hartsock showed flashes of confidence and shooting ability at Air Force as well. Davies has scored in double figures in every conference game but the foul-ridden fest against UNLV. BYU will need contributions from everyone over the next three weeks in games against CSU, at SDSU, and New Mexico. The next two against Utah and at TCU are games where those guys can get rolling. Collinsworth will also need to re-emerge. Perhaps his injury will give him the rest he needs to find his legs again for the stretch run.
2) Can they avoid a letdown? Will the 25-point road win against Utah cause them to blow them off this time around? They have said the right things when they were interviewed this week about taking Utah seriously, but they were saying the right things before the near debacle at Wyoming too...plus, the "bye" comes next week, and some guys may be MIA a day too early. It has happened before.
3) Will the string of 6 blocks continue? BYU has had three straight games with 6 blocks. BYU cannot allow easy points to Utah, they cannot let Utah feel like anything is easy or they might gain some confidence and give BYU a run. Nothing says "get out of my house" like a half-dozen swats.
Prediction
I would be shocked if Jimmer went off on Utah again, unless nobody else shows up, and he needs to. If Rogers and Emery continue to hit threes, Davies continues to score in the post, and BYU continues to get out in transition, then Jimmer won't need to score even 20 points. I wouldn't be surprised to see four or five Cougars in double figures again today. BYU may be locked in and blow them out by 35, or they may toy with them and only win by 15 or 20. Either way, BYU should score at least 80 and Utah should score less than 65. BYU 84, Utah 62
Great read Mo! Thanks for honoring me in your blog!
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