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LAS VEGAS — Do the Utes have a chance? Yeah they have a chance!
The Utah basketball team is in Las Vegas for the PAC-12 tournament and they're full of confidence and realize that they have nothing to lose. With those two ingredients, plus some momentum from a great weekend, and a USC team in turmoil, that just might equal a win.
The last two games against Oregon State and Oregon were a glimpse of what Utah fans had hoped to see much earlier in the season. Better late than never. They saw a team that they could cheer for; they saw unity; they saw a winner.
Utah did two things this weekend they haven't done since joining the PAC-12, win consecutive games and beat a ranked opponent.
So, what can we expect from the Utes in Vegas?
After beating the No. 19 Oregon Ducks Saturday, Head Coach Larry Krystkowiak said, "You are never as bad as you think you are and never as good as you think you are."
Remember the first Sunday home game in Huntsman Center history against Stanford? Do you want to remember that game? I don't think any Utah fan wants to remember that. The Utes aren't actually as bad as that game. Just compare that loss with their game against Oregon this last weekend, but according to Coach Krystkowiak, the Utes aren't quite that good.
Can the Utes beat USC?
Sure. Why not? USC is missing Dewayne Dedmon, he is the Trojan's anchor in the middle. The seven-footer has averaged seven points per game and seven rebounds per game. That is fairly pedestrian, except when you realize that he changes just about every single shot within 10 feet of the hoop. On January 12th when the Trojans and Utes met the only time this season, Dedmon had 13 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks. He's won't be on the court in Vegas.
USC had five players in double figures and shot 50-percent from the field against the Utes. That includes almost 50-percent from beyond the arc. There is one significant thing that has changed since these two teams last played, Brandon Taylor played four minutes and had one basket. USC hasn't seen the improved version of Brandon Taylor and in March it is no secret that guards win games.
How do the Utes win games?
Feed Jason Washburn. Feed him. If there was ever a game to play inside out, this is that game.
Utah also needs to continue the nice run of having four players in double figures. Taylor, DuBois, Loveridge, and Washburn need to have solid games, that was a huge key in the two games against the Oregon schools this last weekend.
The Utes are playing well and they are hot at the right time, March. Wild and crazy things happen in March.
Utah vs. USC tips off at 7:00 p.m. on the PAC-12 Network.
