(#17) Utah vs. Oregon
Fri, March 15 2015, 09:30 PM MST
MGM Grand Garden Arena - Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN 700
Line: -7 Utah
Utah's win over Stanford probably won't be enough to ensure the Utes a 4 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. It largely hasn't satisfied the expectations of fans either. A win against Oregon would make a lot of fans happy though. It also could lead to a potential re-match with Arizona, should the Wildcats get past UCLA this evening. A victory against Oregon and a good showing in the PAC 12 tournament would surely be deserving of a 4 seed for the Utes. But, I'm getting ahead of myself here.. This is a good Oregon team that came together down the stretch of the season to snatch the #2 seed away from the Utes in the PAC 12 Tournament.
Indeed, Oregon has surprised a lot of folks this season. In the offseason, the Ducks dismissed three key players amidst a sexual assault investigation. Dana Altman and co were left scrambling just to field a competitive team and it led to the signing of some really young players. In fact, they're one of the youngest teams in the country and have had 5 freshmen lace up for them this season. Many Ute fans balk at the fact that Dana Altman was awarded PAC 12 'Coach of the Year' award over Larry Krystkowiak. Rightfully so, but the job Altman has done this season has been nothing short of amazing. After dropping back-to-back games against WSU and Washington on January 18th, the Ducks finished the season 12-2.
The Utes were a victim of the Ducks road to redemption in conference play back on February 22nd in Eugene. It was a 69-58 smack in the face for the Utes who were on a 14-2 tear through the conference at that moment. The Utes got 20 points, 5 assists and 3 steals from Delon Wright but little from anyone else. No other player scored in double figures for the Utes and Oregon employed what would become the blueprint for opposing defense's against Utah in the future. A "Make Delon beat you by himself" approach was employed by the Oregon defense to great effect and things haven't been the same for the Utes offense since. Dillon Brooks had 19 points and 7 rebounds while Joseph Young added 14 in the Ducks victory.
Oregon defeated Colorado in the first round of the conference tournament, 93-85 on Thursday night. Joseph Young came out and played with a purpose. Clearly he had heard some of the criticism lobbed at him since he won the PAC 12 'Player of the Year Award.' He had 30 points on 12-22 shooting and added 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in the victory. Elgin Cook, a 6'6" junior forward, also chipped in 20 points on 8-10 shooting as the Ducks extended their winning streak to 5.
Utah had an awakening of sorts in their first round matchup against Stanford on Thursday night. Despite starting the game slowly, the Utes held the Cardinals to 25% shooting in the second half and got some key contributions from several different players down the stretch to get the 80-56 victory. Delon Wright had 20 points, 5 assists and 3 blocks while Jordan Loveridge had one of his most complete games of his career, finishing with 18 points 5 assists and 8 rebounds, he provided a real spark and energy for the Utes that seemed to be contagious. Utah also saw the awakening of Jakob Poeltl who had 16 points and 5 rebounds while he and the rest of Utah's bigs made Nastic largely ineffective. Isaiah Wright showed some great command on the offense as he made the most of the time he was seeing as a result of Brandon Taylor struggling to score and starting Chapman over Reyes seemed to prove beneficial as well.
Tonight is a possible night of redemption for the Utes. Not only would a win redeem their loss in Eugene prior in the season, but it would also be an indication that the Utes have finally awoken from their Arizona hangover. A loss could possibly compound a lot of issues for the Utes and at exactly the wrong moment too. Utah needs to get another good game from Loveridge to take pressure off the wings and hope that Poeltl can play smart and foul free basketball. The Utes will need to control the pace and keep Oregon from getting out into transition basketball. Slow things down and get into their sets while working from the paint outwards. That has been the recipe for success for Utah. However, as Poeltl goes, so goes the Utes. This game will largely depend on the presence he provides.
Fri, March 15 2015, 09:30 PM MST
MGM Grand Garden Arena - Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN 700
Line: -7 Utah
Utah's win over Stanford probably won't be enough to ensure the Utes a 4 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. It largely hasn't satisfied the expectations of fans either. A win against Oregon would make a lot of fans happy though. It also could lead to a potential re-match with Arizona, should the Wildcats get past UCLA this evening. A victory against Oregon and a good showing in the PAC 12 tournament would surely be deserving of a 4 seed for the Utes. But, I'm getting ahead of myself here.. This is a good Oregon team that came together down the stretch of the season to snatch the #2 seed away from the Utes in the PAC 12 Tournament.
Indeed, Oregon has surprised a lot of folks this season. In the offseason, the Ducks dismissed three key players amidst a sexual assault investigation. Dana Altman and co were left scrambling just to field a competitive team and it led to the signing of some really young players. In fact, they're one of the youngest teams in the country and have had 5 freshmen lace up for them this season. Many Ute fans balk at the fact that Dana Altman was awarded PAC 12 'Coach of the Year' award over Larry Krystkowiak. Rightfully so, but the job Altman has done this season has been nothing short of amazing. After dropping back-to-back games against WSU and Washington on January 18th, the Ducks finished the season 12-2.
The Utes were a victim of the Ducks road to redemption in conference play back on February 22nd in Eugene. It was a 69-58 smack in the face for the Utes who were on a 14-2 tear through the conference at that moment. The Utes got 20 points, 5 assists and 3 steals from Delon Wright but little from anyone else. No other player scored in double figures for the Utes and Oregon employed what would become the blueprint for opposing defense's against Utah in the future. A "Make Delon beat you by himself" approach was employed by the Oregon defense to great effect and things haven't been the same for the Utes offense since. Dillon Brooks had 19 points and 7 rebounds while Joseph Young added 14 in the Ducks victory.
Oregon defeated Colorado in the first round of the conference tournament, 93-85 on Thursday night. Joseph Young came out and played with a purpose. Clearly he had heard some of the criticism lobbed at him since he won the PAC 12 'Player of the Year Award.' He had 30 points on 12-22 shooting and added 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in the victory. Elgin Cook, a 6'6" junior forward, also chipped in 20 points on 8-10 shooting as the Ducks extended their winning streak to 5.
Utah had an awakening of sorts in their first round matchup against Stanford on Thursday night. Despite starting the game slowly, the Utes held the Cardinals to 25% shooting in the second half and got some key contributions from several different players down the stretch to get the 80-56 victory. Delon Wright had 20 points, 5 assists and 3 blocks while Jordan Loveridge had one of his most complete games of his career, finishing with 18 points 5 assists and 8 rebounds, he provided a real spark and energy for the Utes that seemed to be contagious. Utah also saw the awakening of Jakob Poeltl who had 16 points and 5 rebounds while he and the rest of Utah's bigs made Nastic largely ineffective. Isaiah Wright showed some great command on the offense as he made the most of the time he was seeing as a result of Brandon Taylor struggling to score and starting Chapman over Reyes seemed to prove beneficial as well.
Tonight is a possible night of redemption for the Utes. Not only would a win redeem their loss in Eugene prior in the season, but it would also be an indication that the Utes have finally awoken from their Arizona hangover. A loss could possibly compound a lot of issues for the Utes and at exactly the wrong moment too. Utah needs to get another good game from Loveridge to take pressure off the wings and hope that Poeltl can play smart and foul free basketball. The Utes will need to control the pace and keep Oregon from getting out into transition basketball. Slow things down and get into their sets while working from the paint outwards. That has been the recipe for success for Utah. However, as Poeltl goes, so goes the Utes. This game will largely depend on the presence he provides.
