Nobody in Utah is worthy to attend Big Dance

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SALT LAKE CITY — Performed by Ace of Base, the song “The Sign” topped the music charts the second week of March 1994. “Four Weddings and a Funeral” was the biggest movie during the same time frame. And one gallon of gas cost $1.40.

It was also the last time nobody from Utah was part of the cool group that got invited to the party. For the first time in 19 years, the Beehive State will not be represented in the NCAA Tournament.

As a consolation prize, college basketball fans do have the opportunity to enjoy the tournament’s opening week with games at EnergySolutions Arena. As fun as that is, it’s not good enough.

San Diego's Christopher Anderson, left, and BYU's Josh Sharp reach for a rebound at the West Coast Conference tournament. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

Whether it is Utah, BYU, Utah State, Weber State or Southern Utah, at least one team should have been good enough to qualify for the only postseason tournament that matters in college basketball. And the disappointment might extend into next season.

Entering the season, BYU had the best chance to represent the state in the Big Dance. Competing in the relatively easy West Coast Conference, the Cougars figured to extend their tournament streak to seven consecutive years.

In the end, the talent wasn’t good enough. Dissect the reasons all you want, but the players couldn’t get it done.

For all practical purposes, BYU’s goal was shot long before Christmas. By Dec. 1, the Cougars had lost to the only three decent teams on their schedule — Florida State, Notre Dame and Iowa State — by a combined 49 points. Barely into the season, it was obvious the Cougars weren’t going to compete with Gonzaga for the WCC championship.

The best they could hope for was to overtake Saint Mary’s for second place. Turns out even that was a long shot, considering BYU has yet to beat the Gaels since entering the conference.

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The forgiving kind may point to injuries as the culprit. BYU lost Chris Collinsworth and Stephen Rogers, two players expected to play vital roles when they signed. But both were also injured last season, meaning coach Dave Rose had enough time to recruit over their potential absences. The two junior college recruits contributed almost nothing.

As potent as they were, the tandem of Brandon Davies and Tyler Haws couldn’t make up for the team’s deficiencies. As much as he fiddled with lineups, Rose never could find a reliable third player.

But just like this season, BYU again has the state’s best chance to make next season’s tournament. The new players, combined with the holdovers, should put the Cougars in better position to make a return NCAA appearance.

From the beginning, the Utes had no chance to make the tournament for the first time since 2009. Inheriting a mess two years ago, coach Larry Krystkowiak probably will need at least another season before Utah can be considered NCAA worthy.

Utah's Jason Washburn celebrates after blocking a shot by California in overtime at the Pac-12 men's tournament. Utah won 79-69. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

“We’re not that far,” he said. “I’ve got great hope for the future.”

The positive is the Utes showed strong progress in Krystkowiak’s second season, particularly in March. The four-game winning streak that included two conference tournament wins should provide enough impetus to fuel the massive rebuilding project.

As with most college situations, the Utes will have to replace key players, including seniors Jason Washburn and Jarred DuBois. Incoming junior college transfer Delon Wright, the two-time MVP of his conference in Northern California, is expected to provide immediate help.

“I’d be really, really surprised if he didn’t come in here and have a real strong impact on our program,” Krystkowiak said.

Of all the in-state teams, Utah State had the best excuse for a down season. The amount of injuries that decimated the Aggies would have done in any program.

USU’s future is a big mystery. Starting next season the Aggies move into the Mountain West, which put five teams in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

History has shown that Stew Morrill is a great coach in USU’s previous two leagues. Since coming to Logan in 1998, Morrill has led the Aggies to eight NCAA appearances.

But in seven seasons in the WAC, which was comprised of several current Mountain West teams, Morrill never coached a Colorado State to the tournament. The Rams were good during Morrill’s tenure but never quite good enough to matter.

In the short term, the Aggies will need more talent to compete against the likes of San Diego State, New Mexico and UNLV.

If all goes well, one of Utah’s five Division I programs will play in March Madness. But don’t be surprised if the shutout streak extends to two years.