Super senior weekend socal visits Utah

[Mormon Red Death]

Why was that a double tech? Should have just be on overthebackovic

[Mormon Red Death]

Pac 12 refs still suck

[Mormon Red Death]

USC is tired. Their shots are all short

[sancho]

What a shot from PVD! Didn't get to set up at all.

[Old Standing ute]

Both Gach—-each of his 3 dunks was better than the 1 before. The drive along the baseline with a pump in mid air was crazy good. His upside is Huge.

Timmy Allen does not play like a freshman.

And Donnie Tillman shutting down Boatwright in 2nd half was the key to the game. He was really intense all game—I think he likes to start.

[sancho]

Both Gach—-each of his 3 dunks was better than the 1 before. The drive along the baseline with a pump in mid air was crazy good. His upside is Huge.

Timmy Allen does not play like a freshman.

And Donnie Tillman shutting down Boatwright in 2nd half was the key to the game. He was really intense all game—I think he likes to start.


Agree on the baseline dunk. Epic.

Winning sure is fun. Let's do it again on Sat!

[Mormon Red Death]

My favorite play last night

https://twitter.com/Pac12Network/status/1103890403898449921?s=19

[U-Ute]

Both Gach—-each of his 3 dunks was better than the 1 before. The drive along the baseline with a pump in mid air was crazy good. His upside is Huge.

Timmy Allen does not play like a freshman.

And Donnie Tillman shutting down Boatwright in 2nd half was the key to the game. He was really intense all game—I think he likes to start.

It seems like there has been a determined change in our recruiting process. Gach, Allen, and Battin all seem like really heady ball players. They make mistakes, but they take the feedback and improve. They are a 10/10 on the "no turds" scale.

BTW, the acceleration Gach showed on the first run out dunk he had was spectacular. Barefield had a tight window to put it in between the defender and the rim, and Gach showed serious athletecism in being able to corral it and get up for the dunk without slowing down too much and letting the defender get to him. Then there was that baseline jam. He is going to be fun to watch for the next (hopefully) two seasons.

If Thioune is anything like the rumors have indicated, this team could be really, really good next year. By P12 standards anyway. Duke's 3 freshman have set the bar pretty high.

[Mormon Red Death]

It seems like there has been a determined change in our recruiting process. Gach, Allen, and Battin all seem like really heady ball players. They make mistakes, but they take the feedback and improve. They are a 10/10 on the "no turds" scale.

BTW, the acceleration Gach showed on the first run out dunk he had was spectacular. Barefield had a tight window to put it in between the defender and the rim, and Gach showed serious athletecism in being able to corral it and get up for the dunk without slowing down too much and letting the defender get to him. Then there was that baseline jam. He is going to be fun to watch for the next (hopefully) two seasons.

If Thioune is anything like the rumors have indicated, this team could be really, really good next year. By P12 standards anyway. Duke's 3 freshman have set the bar pretty high.

But I thought we weren't very athletic?

[U-Ute]

But I thought we weren't very athletic?

Overall we aren't.

[Old Standing ute]

USC should be much better than their record. Their bigs should have dominated Novak & our undersized 4’s.
Hope UCLA has the same attitude and it appears like it as
they did not show up at Colo.
UCLA coach is Not coming back & team knows it.

USC: Must be hard when you are recruited by $$ & your coach is hanging on on waiting for the court testimony about his recruiting.

LSU suspended Wade. USC & AZ need to do the same.

[Mormon Red Death]

USC should be much better than their record. Their bigs should have dominated Novak & our undersized 4’s.
Hope UCLA has the same attitude and it appears like it as
they did not show up at Colo.
UCLA coach is Not coming back & team knows it.

USC: Must be hard when you are recruited by $$ & your coach is hanging on on waiting for the court testimony about his recruiting.

LSU suspended Wade. USC & AZ need to do the same.

Last year Miller suspended himself

[sancho]

Encouraging start.

No headband again :(

[sancho]

Any coach other than Hopkins who plays a zone against us deserves to be fired on the spot.

[sancho]

Stupid UW. Now, instead of UCLA/WSU, we have to play the winner of Oregon/WSU.

[chrisrenrut]

Stupid UW. Now, instead of UCLA/WSU, we have to play the winner of Oregon/WSU.

Washington has not closed out the season very strong. Wouldn't be surprised to see them exit the tournament on Thursday or Friday.

[LA Ute]

Thanks to a generous friend we scored great seats tonight. It was a fun game to watch, even though the Utes made it more interesting at the end than necessary.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190310/510aeaa665d94df417bd556deb632395.jpg

[Old Standing ute]

Big Morley with 9 rebounds & 8 points. Was he wearing “the headband”?

[Ma'ake]

Hats off to the coaching staff, hats off to our seniors and to the Utes, overall.

When we were in the middle of our struggles at turning the ball over earlier in the season, I didn't think getting a first found BYE in the PAC-12 Tourny was even remotely possible. Late in the regular season, it was clear other schools were likewise fighting for a Top 4 finish. We actually pulled it off.


Crazy to think this was the first home sweep of the year, and the road record was impressive.

When the season is over, there is plenty of time for deeper reflection and analysis, but for today, we got it done!

[UTEopia]

Hats off to the coaching staff, hats off to our seniors and to the Utes, overall.

When we were in the middle of our struggles at turning the ball over earlier in the season, I didn't think getting a first found BYE in the PAC-12 Tourny was even remotely possible. Late in the regular season, it was clear other schools were likewise fighting for a Top 4 finish. We actually pulled it off.


Crazy to think this was the first home sweep of the year, and the road record was impressive.

When the season is over, there is plenty of time for deeper reflection and analysis, but for today, we got it done!

When you look at PVD and Sed, you can see how they have progressed both as players and as people from where they were when they joined the Utes. Congratulations to them for buying into the process and making it work for them. It is nice to see players become good people. I think Sed will have a nice career overseas and PVD will do great.

I became friends with Devonte Christopher during his time at Utah. He was a bite of a punk when he first joined the team and my job was to sit next to him in WR film review and jab him in the ribs when he fell asleep. Over the years he grew and nobody worked harder and was more disappointed in how his senior season went then he was. He now lives in Vegas with his son and is a teacher.

[concerned]

Big Morley with 9 rebounds & 8 points. Was he wearing “the headband”?

Is that you in LA Ute's photo?

[LA Ute]

Is that you in LA Ute's photo?

I was merely taking a photo of what was going on on the floor. Anyone appearing in the background is there by happenstance. Had you been there and in my sights, I would of course have snapped a shot of you.

[LA Ute]

I really think Larry has earned our patience. I’ve been kind of wondering about that, but he has once again overachieved with a last-talented crew that has steadily improved, as Ma’ake notes. A very knowledgeable observer told me that he thought this team‘s biggest problem is its overall lack of basketball IQ. Even that seems to have steadily improved, and much of the problem can probably be attributed to their youth and inexperience. So, let’s see what the new recruiting class brings and how this team looks with Lahat playing and the other youngsters after coming back with a year under their belts.

[mUUser]

When you look at PVD and Sed, you can see how they have progressed both as players and as people from where they were when they joined the Utes. Congratulations to them for buying into the process and making it work for them. It is nice to see players become good people...…..


Don't know Sed but I can assure you Parker is as quality a person as you'd want to represent the University. Further, it is literally a dream come true for him to wear crimson & white. There's kids that can play ball where that is the case.

On a different note, but, I don't know if you've noticed or not, but, the last several games the big screen has shown Rylan Jones with some of his buddies. Yesterday, he was with Jeremy DowDell, among others (another was a PWO with the football team). I've said at least one other time that I wish they'd offer DowDell. Another quality kid whose dream would be to play on the hill.

[Applejack]

I really think Larry has earned our patience. I’ve been kind of wondering about that, but he has once again overachieved with a last-talented crew that has steadily improved, as Ma’ake notes. A very knowledgeable observer told me that he thought this team‘s biggest problem is its overall lack of basketball IQ. Even that seems to have steadily improved, and much of the problem can probably be attributed to their youth and inexperience. So, let’s see what the new recruiting class brings and how this team looks with Lahat playing and the other youngsters after coming back with a year under their belts.

Yes, I agree with most of this. Larry's strength is in player development: anyone who questions that need merely look at Kyle Kuzma. Poetl and to some extent Delon were gift-wrapped stars. But Kyle was a player with seemingly no basketball knowledge as a redshirt freshman and four years later he's starring for the Lakers.

The knock on Larry, though, has always been consistency. Can he keep a pretty good freshman/sophomore class and what looks to be a good incoming class happy? The answer has been "no" in the past. To make Utah basketball relevant again the answer needs to be "yes."

[Mormon Red Death]

Yes, I agree with most of this. Larry's strength is in player development: anyone who questions that need merely look at Kyle Kuzma. Poetl and to some extent Delon were gift-wrapped stars. But Kyle was a player with seemingly no basketball knowledge as a redshirt freshman and four years later he's starring for the Lakers.

The knock on Larry, though, has always been consistency. Can he keep a pretty good freshman/sophomore class and what looks to be a good incoming class happy? The answer has been "no" in the past. To make Utah basketball relevant again the answer needs to be "yes."

One thing we all seem to forget is that the guy went thru a tough time with his cancer. That had to have affected him and his recruiting. We have a really good young core that I think will be very good going forward. If we keep Tillman, Gach, Batten & Allen and The Hat coupled with Jayce and the incomers we should be really good). I have a feeling Naseem and chuck jones are transferring.

[LA Ute]

The knock on Larry, though, has always been consistency. Can he keep a pretty good freshman/sophomore class and what looks to be a good incoming class happy? The answer has been "no" in the past. To make Utah basketball relevant again the answer needs to be "yes."

Agreed.

[concerned]

Agreed.

And he has had to rely on a lot of spare parts in recruiting--Bibbins, Barefield, Collette, Rawson. We all know he can coach up mediocre players, but he hasn't shown he can consistently attract and keep the players he needs to get a good seed in the NCAA tourney. To me, Utah should be in the top 25 and a tourney participant most years. 3 or 4 out of 5. Should get a high seed 1 or 2 out of 5.

[Mormon Red Death]

And he has had to rely on a lot of spare parts in recruiting--Bibbins, Barefield, Collette, Rawson. We all know he can coach up mediocre players, but he hasn't shown he can consistently attract and keep the players he needs to get a good seed in the NCAA tourney. To me, Utah should be in the top 25 and a tourney participant most years. 3 or 4 out of 5. Should get a high seed 1 or 2 out of 5.

The "Should be" hasnt been our program in 15 years. So the question is this: Is there a guy out there right now that we can get that can meet the "should be" requirement? I'm not sure there is. IMO we have done better than our expectation. in 1990 we hit with once in a lifetime coach after him we are essentially at the expectation level of Colorado, ASU, Stanford and Cal.

[Rocker Ute]

I think I've mentioned that PVDs first year and first game his family were sitting behind me, and his first shot was an airball beyond the arc. His family both couldn't believe it happened and could not stop laughing about it either. Because of that I have been long waiting and am glad to see him finally get those shots to fall. Seems like a solid person and I just wish that would have happened a couple years ago for him.

[concerned]

The "Should be" hasnt been our program in 15 years. So the question is this: Is there a guy out there right now that we can get that can meet the "should be" requirement? I'm not sure there is. IMO we have done better than our expectation. in 1990 we hit with once in a lifetime coach after him we are essentially at the expectation level of Colorado, ASU, Stanford and Cal.

Disagree as wholeheartedly as I can. Nothing before the Pac 12 counts. We are paying Larry an extraordinary amount of money. We have invested a ton in facilities. We have a great arena and fans. We don't have to find another Majerus to achieve the goals I suggest. It is not a once in a lifetime proposition. The Pac 12 should get 5 or 6 bids a year, and we should be one of them just about every year. If the Pac 12 gets a lot less, we should still be one of them. Thank goodness you are not the AD: I think you have given up. Urban Meyer was a once in a lifetime coach, and then KW was there all along. BB should be easier to recruit to than football. Look at Gonzaga. Or SDSU or Nevada for that matter. (I know Gonzaga has a once in a lifetime coach, and likely will disappear when he retires. They don't have our program advantages).

[Mormon Red Death]

Disagree as wholeheartedly as I can. Nothing before the Pac 12 counts. We are paying Larry an extraordinary amount of money. We have invested a ton in facilities. We have a great arena and fans. We don't have to find another Majerus to achieve the goals I suggest. It is not a once in a lifetime proposition. The Pac 12 should get 5 or 6 bids a year, and we should be one of them just about every year. If the Pac 12 gets a lot less, we should still be one of them. Thank goodness you are not the AD: I think you have given up. Urban Meyer was a once in a lifetime coach, and then KW was there all along. BB should be easier to recruit to than football. Look at Gonzaga. Or SDSU or Nevada for that matter.

I havent given up. I'm just being real. I want what you want but I'm saying its not all that realistic. What other coach (who would come to Utah) would do what you are saying? Lets say we fire Krysto what's the gamble we are doing better? Are we all of sudden going to get better recruits? Football is much different as we have lots of polynesians who we can get to come to our school.

[Old Standing ute]

Is that you in LA Ute's photo?

Yes, I am getting ready to shake Big Morley's hand.

[Old Standing ute]

I havent given up. I'm just being real. I want what you want but I'm saying its not all that realistic. What other coach (who would come to Utah) would do what you are saying? Lets say we fire Krysto what's the gamble we are doing better? Are we all of sudden going to get better recruits? Football is much different as we have lots of polynesians who we can get to come to our school.

I think they made recruiting mistakes in trying for 1 & done types without offering to pay them. Now they are getting kids that are 3 & 4 *, who should be here for 3-4 years. that is a much better formula. Plus the payoffs appear to be more out of control the last 5 years, maybe that will not still happen?? (yeah right---did Pace get his $$).
Not sure Big Rick had to fight that as much, but maybe it was just more under the table.

Nevada will be interesting---they had a twin who could have gone pro, but wanted to play with his brother.

SDSU--did Fischer pay players???---he came from the Fab 5 school.

As for Rylan Jones---he is now dyeing his hair blond---. Beside that: 1 point for him is that he is always around Utah practices, so he knows the system & terminology.

The Big Finn will be here for a stretch in the summer, but then he goes back to play for the Finnish National Team in a Euro tournament.

Finally: Lahat in drills, can handle the ball & catch it, his shot is somewhat flat---not CJJ flat, but much better than the Jayce 1 handed fling from the FT line.

[concerned]

I havent given up. I'm just being real. I want what you want but I'm saying its not all that realistic. What other coach (who would come to Utah) would do what you are saying? Lets say we fire Krysto what's the gamble we are doing better? Are we all of sudden going to get better recruits? Football is much different as we have lots of polynesians who we can get to come to our school.


You sound like like Gordon Monson saying it was a mistake to fire McBride becausue we would never get anybody better. You have no faith in the program.

[sancho]

I don't know if MRD has no faith in the program or if concerned has unrealistic expectations, but I do know that we have a great window of opportunity right now. The Pac-12 is very bad but will not remain very bad forever. Some set of teams will rise to the occasion and become perennial contenders in the conference. UCLA, Arizona, Oregon, and UW are the likeliest candidates right now in my eyes, but Utah could join them. We have some advantages relative to the other contenders.

Harlan's task for the next 1-2 seasons is to decide if Larry will be the guy to take us to that level or if there is a realistic better option.

[UTEopia]

For me, Larry's shortcoming has not been going for the one and dones and missing. I think Utah had a decent chance of signing each kid that falls into that category. The problem I see is that he has routinely signed players he cannot seem to coach thereby missing on guys who could have contributed. You cannot build a program that routinely makes it to the NCAA tourney and miss on 2 players every recruiting class.

As in football, I expect Utah basketball to be the premier program in the State, to challenge for the PAC 12 championship each year and to make the NCAA tourney 2/3 of the time (I expect a bowl every year because it only requires a .500 winning %). I want to see kids stay and progress as players and people. I don't think Larry has met my expectations, but I am willing to see what happens with the returning players and the incoming class. That probably means I am on board for at least 2 more seasons. However, if we lose core people to transfer again this year, I'm ready to move on.

[DrumNFeather]

Good news everybody! Larry is now the 11th highest paid coach in the country! http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/mens-basketball/coach/