UUs on Saturday

[oldrunner]

The Utes have played one game, San Jose St, at home and won by 9 points. On paper, they are not any taller than us, but they do look a little beefier. They have a fair number of new players and a new coach, Alex Jensen. Alex will have them playing an 'in your face' type of defense. The Utes will be heavily favored, but you never really know what might happen in this sort of game. This game will be a good test to see where we are at in the rebuilding process.

 

[BigWaldO]

The Utes have played one game, San Jose St, at home and won by 9 points. On paper, they are not any taller than us, but they do look a little beefier. They have a fair number of new players and a new coach, Alex Jensen. Alex will have them playing an 'in your face' type of defense. The Utes will be heavily favored, but you never really know what might happen in this sort of game. This game will be a good test to see where we are at in the rebuilding process.

I’ve seen both teams play and practice. Utah has no consistent outside shooting threats but skill, IQ and athleticism are far and above better than us. They lost their best big man for the season but are still bigger than us but their three shortest guys are around 6’3” while ours are 6’0” on a good day. The team from a couple years ago with Dillon Jones would beat this Utah team but this year’s team no way. It would need to be a great shooting night for us to win this game. Our schemes haven’t been the same since Eric Daniels left and he’s on the other side too

 

[Chex]

Honestly don’t follow other teams to know the competition but the current mentality of non-conference games being a tune-up for the only games that matter (which has shifted from conference games to conference tournament games), I’ll be highly surprised if Weber State keeps any of the next three games within 20 points.

Was the last game at the U where Lillard and the Wildcats blew out the Utes in SLC? I miss those days. A team fired up to beat an in state team…oh well.

 

[talhadfoursteals]

One...we are not rebuilding. NIL and the transfer portal changes teams every year. Never again will the Cats see guys stay for 4 or 5 years. I really hope I am wrong. Now, you've got to succeed with the guys you get. Saying we are rebuilding gives the coaching staff an excuse for underperformance.

Next, our offensive schemes aren't sharp, are predictable and easily defendable. Eric Daniels knows Duft too. He knows Eric won't change the offense and the defense might be a bit better than last year, but San Jose is a bit better than either CCU or WCB.

Finally, Alex Jensen recognizes the importance of instate games. He wanted this game. He is someone who wants all Utah teams to be good. This was an important game when he played at the U and still is. They will be ready to go.