If Not Arizona, Then a Land Not Too Far Away: Utah vs. Arizona and Arizona St.

[DrumNFeather]

Where all parents are strong and wise and capable and all children are happy and beloved. I don't know. Maybe it was Utah.

Well here we go...Arizona and Arizona St. One of the biggest home stands we've probably ever had, at least since joining the Pac 12.

The sweep in Oregon has set this weekend up to be huge for our postseason hopes...but really, that sweep probably enabled us to finish in the top half of the conference if things go well. Long way to go, to be sure, and we face these two teams in three weeks time down in Arizona.

Thursday vs. Arizona:

Ranked 14th in the AP poll and 17th in the RPI, and hold wins over three RPI top 50 teams currently.

Sunday vs. ASU:

Ranked 4th in the AP poll and 6th in the RPI, and holds wins over three RPI top 50 teams currently.

As for the Utes, they are 32 in the RPI with one win over the RPI top 50 currently. It's early, but even a split this weekend would be massive for the Utes.

Larry was noncommittal about Seely and Tillman today in his presser. Something tells me though, if those guys can go, they'll go.

[sancho]

Well here we go...Arizona and Arizona St. One of the biggest home stands we've probably ever had, at least since joining the Pac 12.

I feel like UNLV was a pretty bad match up for us, and Arizona is worse in all the same ways. I think Ayton and co. neutralize our inside game, and without that, we are just hoping our 3's go down.

I know ASU is also very good, but I feel like our chances are better against them since they are guard oriented.

[sancho]

Arizona has 11 players who average 10 minutes or more per game. That probably changes to a much smaller rotation now with Alkins back.

Trier, Alkins, PJC, and Randolph off the bench all shoot over 40% from outside.

Ayton gets 20 ppg with 12 rebounds. We have no answer for him (no one really does).

Ayton, Alkins, and Ristic all rebound well.

FG% and FT% are high pretty much across the board.

The one things I've heard people say about Zona's title chances is that they don't have a true PG. PJC has a 5:2 assist to turnover ratio, though.

Our boy Akot has not done well. In 12 minutes per game, he has not scored or rebounded at all. His shooting percentages are very low.

[snafu]

As with every game we play, let's hope we are knocking down a bunch of 3's. Otherwise, it could get ugly.

[UTEopia]

Our boy Akot has not done well. In 12 minutes per game, he has not scored or rebounded at all. His shooting percentages are very low.

DNP vs. ASU and only played 2-4 minutes against UConn, UNLV, TA&M and NC State. Let's hope he gets no minutes against the Utes.

[sancho]

DNP vs. ASU and only played 2-4 minutes against UConn, UNLV, TA&M and NC State. Let's hope he gets no minutes against the Utes.

I think he was the one who lost his minutes when Alkins returned. I'd rather face Akot than Alkins!

[UtahsMrSports]

I will be interested to see the crowd tonight. Coming off a GREAT weekend, hosting our long time nemesis who is ranked top 15........

But the buzz isn't quite there yet. And I am not too confident in our chances tonight. But crazier things have happened.

[LA Ute]

I have two good seats left now, at the last minute. Anyone want them?

[Diehard Ute]

I can report, Seeley can still jump.


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[DrumNFeather]

I can report, Seeley can still jump.


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Collette, however, cannot.

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[justaute]

Collette, however, cannot.

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And he has a shooting range of 1-ft.

[justaute]

Barefield is lazy.

[LA Ute]

Barefield is lazy.

Maybe that’s why he sat out much of the first half? He has only 1 foul.

[Mormon Red Death]

No show from Collette is killing us

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[LA Ute]

During every timeout one of the young UA assistants turned away from their huddle and watched the Utah huddle intently, taking notes on a clipboard. He’d then report to another UA assistant Just as both huddles were about to break. What was that all about?

[NorthwestUteFan]

Sean Miller whined about Utah fans being abusive in the post game. Sean Miller is a dirtbag.

I was really surprised by the comeback. And even though we played them really close, I'd be surprised if a 2nd game against Zona were to be close. I just think they are much better than us.

I heard about the FBI chants, and apparently the MUSS made it rain fake hundred dollar bills on the UA players as they went into the locker room at half time. I wish video of that existed, it would be glorious. And that treatment is as tame as Miller will see all season long.

During every timeout one of the young UA assistants turned away from their huddle and watched the Utah huddle intently, taking notes on a clipboard. He’d then report to another UA assistant Just as both huddles were about to break. What was that all about?

Sounds like the Todd Graham-ification of UA basketball.

[Mormon Red Death]

Horseshit foul... Tillman had position that is over the back!

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[DrumNFeather]

Well that first half did not go well.

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[Solon]

Well that first half did not go well.

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It feels like this team is close - just hit the open shots, get the defensively rebounds, etc. etc., But then you look at the scoreboard and you’re down 14.

So maybe we’re not that close....maybe it’s just what Arizona does.
They are better in a lot of different ways, and it shows up in those kinds of things.

I’m hoping to see some good second-half play, but AZ looks a lot better tonight.

[sancho]

They are better in a lot of different ways, and it shows up in those kinds of things.

They are better at every position and off the bench. First time that has happened to a Utah basketball team since before Delon. I don't even think Zona has had work hard. Trier only took a couple shots, and they never really tried to work Ayton.

[sancho]

Trier only took a couple shots, and they never really tried to work Ayton.

We cut it to 6, and they go to Ayton twice in a row. It'd be nice to have a switch like that you can turn on whenever you need it.

[Diehard Ute]

We cut it to 6, and they go to Ayton twice in a row. It'd be nice to have a switch like that you can turn on whenever you need it.

It’d also be nice if they’d make Ristic take his tent out of the lane.


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[LA Ute]

We cut it to 6, and they go to Ayton twice in a row. It'd be nice to have a switch like that you can turn on whenever you need it.

They are taller and quicker than Utah at pretty much every matchup. Also seem to be able to go inside at will.

[DrumNFeather]

It feels like this team is close - just hit the open shots, get the defensively rebounds, etc. etc., But then you look at the scoreboard and you’re down 14.

So maybe we’re not that close....maybe it’s just what Arizona does.
They are better in a lot of different ways, and it shows up in those kinds of things.

I’m hoping to see some good second-half play, but AZ looks a lot better tonight.

I'm trying to think of a game where our starters have all been "on" at the same time. Seems like if Collette is playing well, we aren't getting anything from Barefield, and so on. We've missed Tillman, I hope he can stay out of foul trouble.

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[LA Ute]

Gotta hand it to Sean Miller, his teams are always terrific offensive rebounders. We just can’t seem to mix them out.

[justaute]

Glad to see Barefield picking up his effort.

[sancho]

Loving this. So much better than I expected.

[sancho]

That may have been the worst turnover I've ever seen. That pass barely made it 50% of the way to its target.

[LA Ute]

It will be interesting to see, post-game, how many points UA got in the paint tonight, and how many second-chance points they got. It’s impressive how good they are at both.

[DrumNFeather]

Quite the meltdown here down the stretch.

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