It is hard to believe that this is the last week of Pac-12 Conference play. With the win over Colorado last week, our record was improved to 19-9 overall and 8-8 in conference. The Pac-12 Conference Tournament starts next week and teams are battling for tournament seeding. Here is a link to the Pac-12 Tournament Bracket,
http://pac-12.com/2014-pac-12-mens-basketball-tournament . We are currently in 8th position in the conference standings, but we still have a chance to finish 4th based on this weeks outcomes. Tournament seeding is crucial and we hope to carry momentum into the conference tournament. If you are interested in purchasing tickets for the tournament, please call our ticket representative, Will Goldman at 801.587.9894 for more ticket information.
With that said, we have our work cut out for us against California and Stanford who are both locked as NCAA tournament teams. California is led by pg Justin Cobbs who is averaging 17 ppg in conference play but they have four others averaging double figures as well. Tyrone Wallace and Jordan Matthews round up the backcourt and David Kravish and Richard Solomon are one of the best forward combinations in the league. Cal looks to push the ball in transition and Cobbs is the primary threat. If he is not scoring the ball he making plays for others to score.
Keys for us against Cal are to defend in transition, contest shots and rebound. Our offense success rate is drastically better off of misses and steals on the defensive end of the floor. Game time versus Cal is set for 9:00 pm Mountain Time and will be featured on ESPNU.
The second game of the trip is against Stanford on Saturday at 12:30 pm Mountain Time and will be televised on the Pac-12 Network. Saturday's game will be Stanford's Senior Night. They currently have three seniors, Dwight Powell 15 ppg and 7 rpg, Josh Huestis 12 ppg and 9 rpg and John Gage. Outside of the seniors they are led by pg Chasson Randle who averages 18 ppg, 4 rpg and 2.5 apg. Stanford is big and physical has outrebounded their opponent in each of their wins. Although their frontline is big they like to run and push the ball and have an overall offensive rating that is 39th in the country. Click to see both
Cal's and
Stanford's stats.
As it currently stands we are ranked #34 in ESPNs BPI ranking and #35 in Ken Pomeroys ranking. It feels good to be in the post season conversation, but we are always striving for more and our players are too!
Thanks for all of your support! GO UTES!
The Men's Basketball Staff