Runnin' Utes look to breakthrough on road
by JazzyUte on Jan 25, 2012 11:56 PM MST
in Basketball
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PrintEven though Utah basketball has shown some improvement over the last month, they're still winless on the road. They hope that changes with a swing through Southern California this week with two games against surprisingly struggling programs.
The first is tonight against UCLA and marks the first time these two teams have met since the Utes' shocking upset of the Bruins in the 1983 NCAA Tournament. Utah was a 10 seed that year and UCLA was one of the tournament favorites, entering the game as a two-seed. They were coached by Larry Farmer, who had a stint as Weber State's head coach back in the 1980s, where the game actually took place.
Tonight, the Utes hope for some similar magic.
The Bruins, however, are struggling and may be one of the most disappointing teams in the nation. It wasn't that long ago, in fact, they were playing in consecutive Final Fours. Since that '08 season, though, they've struggled recapturing past glory.
They enter tonight's game with only a 10-9 record and an un-UCLA like 3-4 record in conference play. As of now, the Bruins are officially only one game better than the Utes in the Pac-12.
Of course, at least on paper, they seem like the superior team and it might not even be close. It doesn't help that Utah is 0-6 on the road and UCLA is 8-3 at home.
But this game is probably a bit more winnable than many thought at the start of the season and that shows improvement.
Hopefully that improvement continues tonight.
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Come on Utes!!! We know you can do it!!
Love to see the team get that first Pac road win. Probably not at UCLA, but I have great hopes for USC.
But just play well and keep our hopes alive for the future.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women. Especially BYU. - Conan the Barbarian (ok, maybe he didn't say the BYU part)
As disappointing as UCLA has been, the Bruins have legitimate talent, and some of it of the next-level variety. That more than anything is why Utah is a 25-point underdog tonight, which might be the most lopsided line we’ve ever encountered.I doubt we’ve had football teams — even under Tom Lovat — that were 40-plus point underdogs.
All that said about UCLA ...
… I expect us to be in the game late against USC. To me, this game is a coin flip.
by 100ThingsUtah on Jan 26, 2012 2:19 PM MST up reply actions
I expect it could get ugly...
As bad as UCLA has looked this season, you’re right, their talent swamps that of Utah.
Still, would be nice to beat UCLA in Pauley…err… Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
Okay, so that doesn’t have the same luster…but eh…
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