OCR Text |
Show DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 8 • Runnin' Utes underutilized key players CONNECT•• • •• to The Chronicle • dailyutahchronicle.com • loss to BYU and Colorado State—that's how the Runnin' Utes stumbled to the finish of the regular season at 14-16. Those two losses dropped them down to the No. 6 seed in the tournament, where they'll face UNLV at the Thomas & Mack Center. The good thing is that UNLV is one of the only teams—besides Air Force and TCU—that the Utes have beaten twice this year. The bad thing is that I don't think it's going to matter. The Utes were shorthanded against CSU, and BYU is possibly the best team in the conference—that's a given—but as I watched them play those games, I saw a team that seemed confused with its direction. Carlon Brown finished the BYU game with five points and fouled out with one point after playing only 12 minutes against CSU. As he walked off the court Saturday, it looked as though he just didn't care anymore. I can't really blame him if he doesn't. When it's all said and done, he might be remembered as being one of the most underutilized players in Utah basketball history. Out of anyone on the team, he's the guy who should've been the focal point. He's always been a great athlete, and the work he put into the offseason to become a more com- A Let- the Chronide find your Spring Break paradisee • 1 ' • t FOOTBALL continued from Page 6 Click an Travel at wwIctlailyaatalgchronicler,com Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Both Misi and Sylvester are expected to be mid- to lateround draft picks after their Pro Day and combine performances and have made good impressions on scouts to this point. However, they will need to continue improving between now and when NFL mini-camps get under way after the draft. "(Misi and Sylvester) are both smart and tough enough to make teams," McCabe said. "Misi's got some versatility— here he was getting worked out as a linebacker after playing mostly defensive line here at JAKE HIBBARD Junior, Mass Communication plete player was shown this year by him doubling his 3-point shooting percentage from 17.6 percent to 35.5 percent. Nevertheless, he was cast aside in the biggest game of the year when the Utes traveled to Provo to take on BYU, and Jim Boylen opted to play the offensively challenged Jace Tavita in the final minutes of the game instead of Brown. That was the last time he was left off the court with the game on the line, and when the same situation presented itself against UNLV, Brown and Kim Tillie ended up being the keys to victory. On the other hand, Jason Washburn played one of his best games of the season against CSU, taking advantage of his extra minutes with Foster hurt. Marshall Henderson and Jay Watkins also continue to play with the brash intensity that they both share. Utah, so I think teams see him both as a d-end and a linebacker, so that's good for him." Arguably the most talented Ute not to be invited to the combine, safety Robert Johnson, also worked out for scouts Monday. After getting his degree, he's ready to get back to doing what he loves—playing football. Despite not being invited to the combine, Johnson already has a visit set up with the Chicago Bears on April 6. "I love football, and I'm going to get out there and do whatever they need me to do, no matter what," Johnson said. "If it's play a backup roll, I'll play it. Special teams, I'll play it. I just want to get out on the field and do what I love." Johnson, like Sylvester, is also training in California and has already impressed scouts who have seen what he is capable of both in workouts and on the field. "The things (Johnson) has done on tape, he did here today," McCabe said. "He's got great ball skills, and he has great range. He made a lot of great catches down in the corner." With Monday's Pro Day behind them, Sylvester, Misi, Johnson and the other NFL hopefuls will be on their own between now and the draft while the Utes kick off spring ball today. b.chouinard@ chronicle.utah.edu UTE REP National Consumer rotection Week 2010 In the end, this season was one of transition. Clearly, this wasn't the team of a year ago that won the conference title and was awarded a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. I like the young core of players who have been able to develop this year, but I don't like the way some of the veterans were essentially thrown to the side in the process. The Utes could have been better than they were this year. I'll concede that because of injuries, maybe Tillie wasn't able to contribute much more than he was given the opportunity to, but in Brown's case, I just don't get it. The Utes' offense seemed to limit his impact ability, and if that's ever the case with your potential star player, something is wrong. I hope to see him in a Utes uniform next season, but I wouldn't bet on it at this point. So where is this team headed? That's something that, unfortunately, I don't think can be answered yet. There were some positives that came out of the year, and there were undoubtedly some negatives. If this crop of young players turns out to be great next year because of this season, maybe Boylen is justified in his actions. But to answer that question for the immediate future: This team is headed home. j.hibbard@ chronicle.utah.edu T Presented by The Daily Utah Chronicl• every Friday. 4N4ZIDN4:1•1;igieillIC: EARN $30 TODAY. $65 THIS WEEK. arch 7-13 I Get all the info! *Eligible new donors CASH IN YOUR POCKET., DONATE PLASMA. IT PAYS TO SAVE A LIFE. 2978 South State Street S. Salt Lake City, UT 84115 801.485.5085 CSL Plasma Donor fees may vary. New donors bring photo ID, proof of address and Social Security card. Good for You. Great for DIe. CITY ACADEMY Too Good to Remain Salt Lake's Best Kept Secret! Celebrating 10 Years Now Enrolling for 2010-2011 A Few Openings Still Remain - Call Now! A College Preparatory, Tuition-Free Public Charter School for Grades 8-12 555 East 200 South Salt Lake City, UT 84102 r 801-596-8489 www.cityacademyslc.org WOMEN continued from Page 6 season, the Utes have come out on top by winning margins of 20 and 25 points. They have never lost to the Falcons, holding an all-time record of 29-0 against Air Force. Senior guard Kalee Whipple, who was named to the first team All-MWC team this week, said she is proud of her teammates' improved performances as the year has progressed and the way they are playing heading into the tournament. "I think we are playing really well as a team," Whipple said. "We are really raising our game and getting quality wins." Whipple leads the conference in scoring with 17.2 points per game. However, she isn't the only Ute getting love from the MWC. Freshman center Taryn Wicijowski also received praise from the conference this week, earning Freshman of the Year honors. Last season, the Utes were the No. I seed heading into the tournament and received a bye through the first two rounds, going on to defeat San Diego State in the championship game. This year, the Utes have their work cut out for them, but it shouldn't be hard to get back to semifinals where they began last year's tournament. If the Utes beat Air Force, they will take on the winner of the New Mexico vs. Colorado State game. Utah has a combined 4-o record against both teams this season. Utah takes on Air Force today at 3 p.m. in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. c.godfrey@ chronicle.utah.edu NEED FUNDING FORA STUDENT PUBLICATION? Student publications are eligible to receive funding from the Student Media Council for the 2010-2011 academic year. Contact Jake Sorensen, Business Manager, at jake.sorensen@utah.edu to receive an application. Completed applications are due Wednesday, March 10, 2010 before 4:00 pm. o PIG 0 42- 0 STUDENT MEDIA COUNCIL THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH !rl73:1 Tuesday Special: 99 1/ 11 lb Hamburger/. 1 University Location 46Levet.6 ill d ay loaf tuiih purchase of Fries, drink, onion dap or zuccini Fries. Since 1981 222 S. 1300 E. • 582-7200 Also at: 1000 S. State • 255-5000 |