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Show Friday, February 19, 2010 3 MEN'S BASKETBALL GYMNASTICS Rocks' next meet will be a challenge Paige Fieldsted SPORTS EDITOR LENNIE MAHLER/The Daily Utah Chronicle Carton Brown flies in for a layup past UNLV's Darns Santee. The Utes are hoping to carry some momentum from their win over UNLV to San Diego and avenge their loss to the Aztecs earlier this season. Utes get chance 2 against San Diego Joseph Simmons STAFF WRITER The Runnin' Utes' offensive frustrations came to a head the last time they faced San Diego State, putting the players in a downward spiral that saw them lose four of their remaining five games in the first half of conference play. Now with Utah heading to California on Saturday to face San Diego State (i9-7 overall, 8-4 MWC) on its home court, head coach Jim Boylen said that his team is going to have to overcome all the same challenges as before and find a way to stop the Aztecs' momentum. "I think San Diego State is playing as good as anybody in the league right now, and obviously their physicality and their athleticism is always a concern for anybody in the conference," Boylen said. Yet Boylen knows that after the Utes and Aztecs' last meeting, there isn't too complicated an answer as to what the Utes need to do differently to win the game. "Last time we played them, we were so poor offensively," Boylen said. "It's been a while and I remember the game and obviously we'll re-evaluate the film and we've got to score the ball. I think we've got to go down there and not turn the ball over and rebound the ball. That's kind of the formula for us." Junior Carlon Brown led the Utes in the two teams' last matchup with i8 points, but senior Luka Drca and freshman Marshall Henderson also played well scoring 15 points and 14 points, respectively. Brown said with the Utes going to face the Aztecs again with the momentum of a win over UNLV that players on the team need to focus on keeping their edge. See MEN Page 5 Midway through the regular season, the No. 5 Red Rocks gymnastics team is facing one of its toughest challenges of the season. Hitting the road for the third time in four weeks, Utah is traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich. to take on the No. i6 ranked Wolverines, in what the team knows will be one of the toughest meets thus far. "I think that the difference is we've been able to go on the road with a mistake or two and still done well," said co-head coach Megan Marsden. "This week we'll have to be at our best, not only to win, but to even be in the meet. The girls know that we've got a contest coming up on Friday night." After being on the road for two weeks straight, the Red Rocks were happy to get the chance to compete in front of their fans at the Huntsman Center last week, where they easily beat Utah State. "It was good to be home this weekend and be in front of our fans," Annie DiLuzio said. "It was a nice break but no, we have to get back to work, get back on the road and keep improving." Season Utah Stats Michigan No. 5 National Ranking No. 16 49.058 Vaults average 48.992 Bars average 49.004 48.967 49.000 Beam average 48.304 48.908 49.063 Floor average Total average 195.208 196.088 The Red Rocks lead the series with Michigan 21-10 but have only beaten the Wolverines in Ann Arbor twice, in 2006 and 2008. Although the Utes know they have a tough meet ahead, they are trying not to concern themselves with Michigan but rather focus on themselves and the things they need to improve on. "They are a great team and they are a group of very talented girls," DiLuzio said. "We just have to go in and focus on what we need to focus on and what we have control over." Having completed half of their season with a 5-1 record, the Red Rocks See GYMNASTICS Page 8 Envision your wildest dreams at WabiSabi's ION Saturday, Feb. 20 Spanish Trail Arena Moab, Utah PG-21 STRONGLY CAUTIONED 21 and over with valid I.D. 1 i 1 Tickets online at wabisabimoab.org or call 435-259-9114. LIVE AUCTION, Music & DANCE PARTY after the Show |
