Five for Five

   In this segment, I'll take a look at my four favorite teams, and one hot sports topic.  As Max Kellerman used to say......

First Topic!

    1.  Utah basketball:

    There are three players who the Runnin' Utes really have their eye on.  Givon Crump, Renan Lenz, and Travis Wilkins.  Who are these players, and what do each of them bring to the table, should they decide to become Runnin' Utes?

     Crump is a small forward who can score.  He is a decent long range shooter, but definitely more of a "scorer" than a "shooter".  He is a pretty good rebounder. with some length on the perimeter.  As I look at his stats, I am impressed with how often he gets to the line.  His total free throw attempts last year is nearly double than the highest total for a Ute player (Jason Washburn).  We desperately need the firepower, shooting, free throws, and rebounding from the wing, that he can bring to the table. 

     I also really like the possibility of him playing next to Jordan Loveridge, either at the 3 and 4 when we go small, or at the 2 and 3 when we go big. 

     Lenz is a big body who can rebound (9.4 per game) and block shots (2.5 per game).  He also has some scoring punch (13.0 per game).  He could be the true power forward we have lacked for a long time at Utah.  As a team, we lacked rebounding and overall inside depth last year.  Lenz would certainly give us that. 

     Travis Wilkins is a solid shooter who can stretch the defense.  He could be to us what Kyle Korver was to the Jazz.  A guy that you have to be aware of.  Putting it nicely, we were brutal from downtown last year.  A guy to spread the floor would help everyone else and make us that much more difficult to defend. 

     Look for at least one of these guys to sign with us.  If we can land all three, we will be a very competitive team this year.  Look for their decisions to come within the next week or so. 

     NEXT TOPIC!

     Utah Football:

      Spring ball has gone well on several fronts.  First, the injury situation has been good so far.  Second, the offense and defense are playing well.  The talent in the program is as good as its ever been and we should have a very successful year. 

    I am a nerd when it comes to analyzing the depth chart.  Yeah, I know, its only spring.  But its interesting to me. 

    One thing that has jumped out to me is that Boo Anderson has yet to crack a depth chart.  Last year, this guy was the first linebacker in off the bench at all three spots.  I thought for sure that he would replace Matt Martinez  at rover.  But I have not heard his name mentioned at all and he does not appear on any depth chart. 

     That tells me that our linebacking group is going to be very good this year, if a bit inexperienced.  Or maybe it says that Boo is a goofball.  I dont know.  Guess we will see!

     NEXT TOPIC!

     Utah Jazz:

     Watching this team has been a blast this year.  As they make this playoff push, I can't help but be proud of this team and organization.  This is a team that does things the right way, and they always have. 

     I was torn at first over whether or not I wanted the Jazz to get to the playoffs.  A draft pick in this year's lottery is VERY tempting.  But as I watch this team battle, I want them to get to the playoffs.  Al Jefferson has never been there.  Neither have the young guys.  I want these guys to feel and experience that atmosphere. 

     They have dropped some games they shouldn't have, but they have battled all year.  And as a fan, that is all I can ask.  Bravo!

      NEXT TOPIC!

     Boston Red Sox:

     Ok look, I can handle seeing my team lose all the time.  For crying out loud, my favorite team is the Runnin' Utes!  What I can't stand is buffoons.  And that is what the Red Sox are becoming.

    Historic Fenway Park turns 100 this year.  The team has planned a celebration by bringing back all former living managers.  Only problem is, the greatest manager in the history of the team, Terry Francona, is not ready to come back.  And I don't blame him.  The way he was treated by the organization last season is repulsing and deplorable.  He was blamed for the meltdown when it was not his fault.  The team threw him under the bus and it makes me sick.

    I almost want to see the Red Sox just completely fall apart this year, just to stick it to the idiots calling the shots for this team.  I am a fan for life, but they are sure making it hard on me.

     FINAL TOPIC!

     College athletes transferring:

     I understand where coaches are coming from.  If I bring in a kid and its not a good fit, the last thing I want is for him to go to my rival and help them beat me.  But, in my opinion, thats just something that coaches have to live with.

    I saw one idea on twitter this morning that basically suggested that the University and student arrange for a prenuptial agreement. "If this doesn't work out, you can go here, here, or here, but not here, here or here."  Thats a little silly.

     In my mind, a kid should be able to go where they want.  The penalties are already severe.  If the coaches can leave for wherever they want, the kids should be able to as well.  



 

A YouTube channel?

    Ok, so here is how this post came to be. 

    On Sunday night, the Jazz played a franchise-record four overtime game.  Coach Ty Corbin did not choose to substitute fresh legs into the game at critical times and the team lost.

   On Monday, Ben Bagley of 1320 KFAN was ready on monday wtih his usual "fans are idiots, they shouldn't question Ty" schtick.  Of course, Bagley works for the same group that own the Jazz. 
 
    Twitter blew up.  Jazz fans don't like being called idiots because they question the head coach during a loss.  Jazz fans are knowledgeable and passionate.  In high numbers, people turned off Ben Bagley and turned on the alternatives. 

    As Jazz fans, we thought it would be cool make our own youtube channel where ideas can be discussed without immature name calling. 

    The response surprised me.  This is a list of those who told me that they wanted to participate:

    Thought this would be a good forum to discuss ideas and come up with a plan.  If anyone else wants in, or if those already in have an idea, leave a comment!  lets get this going! 

@SurlyMae

@crackalacka22

@davidjsmith1232

@tysonhtweets

@kyle11kirkham (Kyle is not allowed to produce any content unless ammon approves it first)

@canadianbraeden

@dianaallen

@da_breezman

@jazzyvandalute

@davidwilbur

@jeugenebennett

@shandonfan

Why I Believe That "Coach K" is the Right Man For Utah

                                                 Andre Miller playing against Kentucky in the 1998 NCAA Championship 
                                                                 game.  Can the Utes get back to this level?  Maybe..............read on!   



    I experienced one of those sports moments last night.  A moment of sheer sports euphoria.

     Despite the fact that they are terrible this year, I always know when the Runnin' Utes are playing.  I always make sure that I am following the game.  Before last night's game, the Runnin' Utes had trotted out onto the court 27 times.  22 of those times, they had fallen short.  Often times, their falls have been epically spectacular, or spectacularly epic, however you look at it.

     Last night seemed to be no different.  Stanford was in town, and the Utes quickly fell behind by 10 points.  As I am listening to Bill Riley and Jimmy Soto bring me every missed shot and turnover, I am just hoping that Utah can keep it close.  I want them to battle through this, to not let this game get out of hand.  I want the fair weather fans to pick up their paper tomorrow and see that Utah at least battled.

    Before I know it, its 21-11 and I have lost all hope.  The final game in the Huntsman Center this season will be another beat down.  Oh well, we will always have gymnastics right?

    Wrong.

    Jason Washburn and Chris Hines, two guys who to me embody what being a Runnin' Ute is all about, lead a charge and the Utes come back to take the lead going into halftime!

    In my mind, I am telling myself that this is fools gold.  Sure, they have a halftime lead. But Stanford will wake up and realize they are playing Utah and they will probably win this one going away.

    I text my friend Jesse to ask his opinion.  Jesse has been subjected to every painful second of this season at the Huntsman Center.  He knows this team better than anyone.

    "Do you think we can pull this out?" I ask

    "Called it before the game started, we are winning this one tonight." came the response.

    I hope he is right, I tell myself.

    I better explain myself here.  I am passionate about "my" teams.  I follow them like crazy and I cheer my guts out for them.  But if I absolutely had to pick my favorite team, it would be the Runnin' Utes.  Yes, I would take the Runnin' Utes over the Jazz, Utah Football, and the Red Sox.  I have my reasons, not the least of which is that my Dad was a Runnin' Ute in his day.  The Runnin' Utes are the only team where my fandom borders on dangerous for my health.  I want SO BADLY for this team to win, that it kills me.  I convince myself that they can't win, because if I believe that they can and they don't, then it just eats at me.  So I tell myself they won't have a chance, but inside I know I'm lying and I believe in them every time they step on the floor.

     Whew! That feels better.  Glad I got that off my chest.....back to my story.

     There is a battle in the second half.  And all throughout I can't shake the feeling that this will end like so many games have this year.  They will make it close, but Stanford will pull away at the end.  This team doesn't have a closer, and we are doomed.  But I keep listening.  I was a die-hard in '98 when we came so close, I am not going to bale on this team now that times are rough.

     Finally, five seconds left.  Washburn at the line.  Utes by 1.  I should really take this movie I picked up home and watch it with my wife (this is the reason I am in my car in the first place, I went to rent a movie).  But I can't.  I have to listen until the bitter end.

     Brick.  Stanford gets the ball.

     Their best shooter who has hit some big shots all night has the ball, and he is racing down the court so that once again my heart can be ripped out, thrown on the ground, and stomped on.  As Bill is describing these final seconds, I am getting ready to take out my frustration at this inevitable loss on the steering wheel of the car.

     But no!  He missed it!  And it bounced right to a Ute!  Game over! We won!

     YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are 6-22! In your face doubters!  Take that haters!  I looked at my phone and right on cue, there is the text from Jesse.

     "And that is a win".  Truer words were never spoken. 

     Ok, the title of this is "Why I believe that Coach K is the right man for Utah", and I have spent a large chunk of time boring you with a story about one truly statistically insignificant game.  The Utes aren't going anywhere this year.  In fact, there are a lot of growing pains before this team is back to its glory days, if they ever make it.

     My point is that what I saw and heard last night gives me a lot of optimism.  Not optimist for the immediate future, but hope that someday we might get back to the promised land.

     Truth be told, I liked Jim Boylen.  He had passion and a love for the program and the University.  He cared deeply about his players.  Add this to the fact that even though he went 1-7 against the TDS in his time, he still managed to get under the skin of their fans (I have never figured out any reason why this is so, but who cares?)

      I had complaints about him, don't get me wrong.  He just wasn't a head coach.  His offensive schemes were not effective.  While he was a decent teacher of the game, his players did not improve at the rate they should have.  He constantly preached about getting tougher, and his players never did.

      With this team, I have seen a noticeable and marked improvement over the course of the season.  I know that the naysayers are going to say "well, couldn't get much worse!".  Yeah, thank you for that.  Please feel free to crawl back under your bridge now.

    Instead of quitting, they have remained resilient.  They play their butts off every game.  Most of the time, they simply don't have the talent to win, but they are giving it everything they have.  Jason Washburn has come miles this season.  Players are improving.  They are playing as a team (yet another knock of mine on Boylen).  And at times, dare I say it, it even looks like they are having fun. There is a sense of toughness and mental strength this year that I haven't seen in recent years.  It's almost as if the team is repeatedly singing Bieber's "I Will Never Say Never!" Ok, probably not..............but you get my point. 

     Larry K has taken a team of no talent (yes, some can argue that he caused the lack of talent, but thats a pointless debate at this point) and taught them to fight and play the right way.  This isn't the Mighty Ducks, where a team of nobodies suddenly becomes unbeatable.  Like I said, there are a lot of hard times ahead.  But for the first time in a long time, the ship is pointed in the right direction.

    In my next post, I am going to explain what has to happen for this team to get going again, now that they are pointed in the right direction!

The First Annual Utah Sports Radio All-Star Team

     Would you say we have a plethora of sports radio stations in Utah?  A what?  A plethora.  ha ha. Oh yes, we have a plethora.

      With so many solid radio stations here, it is difficult to pick one to listen to.  I have gone through and picked the All-Stars of Utah sports Radio for your enjoyment.

6 AM-8 AM
"DJ and PK" With David James and Patrick Kinahan.

     These two have been a mainstay on the sports radio scene for more than a decade now.  Their show keeps you entertained and informed.  I am always amazed at how many people PK is able to troll each day.  I guess when people don't realize what is going on, it's pretty easy to get them riled up.

8 AM-10 AM
"Manly Morning Show" With Kyle Gunther and Hans Olsen

     This show will almost be as polarizing as Tim Tebow and LeBron James.  But I like it.  You have two guys who played at Utah and BYU.  They love to discuss the ins and outs of the game and you would have no better source on the radio for going inside the huddle.

10 AM-12 Noon
"The Red and Blue Show" with Jan Jorgenson and JD Jorgenson

     As with the prior show, you have former Utah and BYU players.  In this case, they also happen to be brothers.  I listened to these guys do a show together the other day and loved it.

12 Noon-2 PM
"The Rock and Roll show" with Brad Rock and Jeremiah Jensen

      These two love their jobs and you can tell.  I have listened to both fill in for different stations in town on occasion and they impressed me enough to earn an all-star spot.  I find it to be a travesty that no one has picked them up.

2 PM-4 PM
"Riley and Wrubell"

      Yep, you guessed it.  Bill Riley and Greg Wrubell host this show.  The play by play men of the local teams would be a fun dynamic when put together.  Of course, they might drive each other nuts.  But hey, it makes for great radio.

4 PM-6 PM
"The Big Show" with David Locke and Gordon Monson.

    I admit, I put this duo together mostly for comedy's sake.  I am not sure if there is any radio studio on earth big enough to contain the combined egos of Locke and Monson, but it would be fun to try.  I like Locke.  And I like Monson.  It would be fun to listen to them together, in the way that it would be fun to watch a caged, starving lion be let loose to face a caged, starving tiger.  Let the comic mishaps ensue!

6 PM-8 PM
"The S&S Show" with Spencer Checketts and Scott Garrard

    I don't know here, I just like the pairing.  It would make for fun listening as both bring insights and analysis to the table.  I like them at this hour too.

8 PM-10 PM
"Hardball" with Jake Scott and Ben Bagley

    These two would be great in the slot where they recap the day, play the best audio, talk about the way things played out in the evening and get everyone ready for the next day.

10 PM-midnight.
"Fight night" with Sean O'connell.

     OC knows MMA and UFC and the sport is getting a large following.  This would be a great spot for a talented host to talk about one of his passions.

     So there you have it............what b\would you folks like to see?