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Show DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 8 Rams are too good not to root for in tourney JAKE HIBBARD b=0 Asst. Sports Editor T he Runnin' Utes' loss to Colorado State last night, coupled with Air Force's victory over TCU, sealed their fate as the seventh seed in next week's conference tournament, which means they will have to play either BYU or San Diego State in the opening round of the tournament. Had they been able to win, they would still be in the hunt for the fifth spot. Based off Utah's previous four attempts against the Aztecs and Cougars, it would be accurate to label this loss as the final dagger to the 2010-2011 Runnin' Utes season. The Utes dropped all four meetings with the two teams, losing by an average of 19.5 and 19 points to SDSU and BYU, respectively. Actually, this is the second straight year the Rams have played spoiler for the Utes. They beat the Marshall Henderson Utes by nine in the last game of the season last year—also played in Fort Collins, Colo.—to clinch the fourth seed, knocking the Utes down to No. 5. Maybe that would mean more if the Utes weren't already irrelevant in the tournament's discussion. Instead, I see Wednesday night's loss as the official signal for Ute fans to jump on the Colorado State bandwagon. There's plenty to love about this unlikely bubble team. First of all, the Rams fit the role of unlikely heroes, which is always a fan favorite come March. Colorado State is not a school with a rich history in basketball. The Rams have only been to the NCAA Tournament three times in the past four decades. Fourth-year head coach Tim Miles didn't win a single conference game, going 0-16, during his first year with the Rams in 2007-08. Since then, he's put on a remarkable clinic in teambuilding, which is another reason to love the Rams: They are a great all-around team. Miles has collected a group of guys who can run-and-gun in transition, shoot from the outside and own the middle on both sides of the floor. This will be a welcome change for fans who have become accustomed to watching Ute squads that couldn't quite get it together the past few seasons, as will be the notion of not one but two big men in Andy Ogide and Travis Franklin, who can each play on both sides. Then, of course, there's the real kicker: Adam Nigon. Nigon was discovered by Miles through word of mouth his first season as coach when he was told about a student who had been tearing up the intramural leagues. Four years later, Nigon is one of the Rams' key players and best outside shooter. Also, he showed up to Wednesday's game sporting a mustache reminiscent of Officer Dangle. No way around it, it is physically impossible to underrate Nigon's coolness. So, though the Rams might have put the final nail in the Utes' coffin this year, I wouldn't hold it against them. You'd be missing out on too great of a story. j.hibbard@chronicle.utah.edu .dailyutahchronicle.corm Daily Utah Chronicle The INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING ON MONDAY, MARCH 7 AT 7 PM FROM THE DIRECTOR OF TWILIGHT COMES A BREATHTAKING VISION OF A 700 YEAR OLD LEGEND AMANDA BILLY SEYFRIED OL DM AN ■ I MAX NgrK A__D1111 1 SHILOH BURKE FERNANDEZ -R-ILIE I- I,,\A ■ . ABRIS TIE CH 'le ` . JOHNSON continued from Page 6 all-around. She makes a tremendous contribution by example." The senior has performed just 37 routines in her career—more than a third of them in this season alone. "I think it also took me a while to adjust to college, classes and balancing that with gymnastics, workouts, travel and competition," Johnson said. So far, the senior is making strong statements about her capability in the all-around. Against Michigan, Johnson competed in two events—bars and floor—and performed an exhibition routine. It was the second time in her career at Utah that she performed in all four events. In her vault exhibition—which is her weakest event—she earned a 9.775, beating out two other Utes whose scores did go toward the team total, but she also tied with Corrie Lothrop, one of Utah's other allaround gymnasts. "For three years, Jacq wasn't even an option on vault—now she's in the all-around," Marsden said. "She's past her Achilles' heel, which was her power on vaulting and tumbling. She's made a weakness into a strength. During the offseason she worked really hard on her power and strength. She surprised all of us with her strength and whatnot." In last week's meet, Johnson made her all-around debut with just three meets remaining in her career at Utah. Opening with bars, Johnson scored a strong 9.800 in the event before earning the same score on vault, setting a new career high. She also earned a 9.875 on floor to earn her final all-around score of 39.225. "She's really proved herself," Marsden said. "Hopefully other girls will learn to do the same." "Watching older girls improve exponentially during their senior year really helped me," Johnson said. "Jamie Deetscreek, for example, really made leaps and bounds of progress last year." Deetscreek, who finished her final year as a Red Rock last season, went from performing just four routines her freshman year, to finishing her senior year with the school record for most consecutive routines without a fall with 64. Overall, she finished her tenure at Utah hitting 79 of 83 routines. However, as her senior year winds down, Johnson is beginning to look toward a life without college gymnastics. Next school year in particular will be an adjustment, Johnson said. She still has one year left of her undergraduate degree in exercise and sport science. "I don't know which will be a bigger adjustment, starting out college as a student-athlete or finishing my last year without gymnastics," Johnson said. But first, Johnson is focusing on the all-around against No.1 Florida State on Friday and then two more regular-season meets before she and the rest of the Red Rocks head to West Regionals to qualify for nationals once again. k.price@chronicle.utah.edu ___....... ■ ' • \ * L1P .. 0■0' •v. . • • 111 . 221 5.1300 E. Salt Lake City 582 -5001 Y. eat fresh. . • .4.- ,.: .r.---.:.0.—.7.-Ar RED RIDING: • .._ Every Day Value Menu Spicy Italian WANNER BDOS.PICTURESnisons ANAPRIANINAYPRONCIO A CATHEHINE HARDINICKEDN AMANDA SHED GARY ROMAN "RED HIDING 0000" BILLY BRE SHILOH fERNANDE/ MAX IRONS ANO JUllECHISTINEA BRIAN HEITZELl muf BRIAN DERR ate ALEX HERS MN CINDY EVANS "INKY RICHAROSONACE JULIA WONG 110 TOM SANDERS MA MANY VVALKERAcs RIEJIM ROWE WORM IRELAND CATHERINE MBOMOU "I DAVID LESLIEJOHNSON '1IJENNIEED OAVISSONEORAN LEONARDO DICAPRIO APR '9 CATHERINE HAflOVVICNE n ME, """` • 1101111XMOMITMERNIUM NM SMIALITY ,..,.,.....m...,,* WWW.REDRIDINGHOODMOVIE.COM -. Twitter! t14),)or. co-NdrheChro-vvy Meatball Marinara Cold Cut Combo Veggie Delite BELIEVE THE LEGEND. BEWARE THE WOLF. Malignorrssnomucememe '."...'' O1 Follow us on $5.00 Footlongs ,...- .. Thursday, March 3, 2011 Black Forest Ham Tuna BLT Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Valid At: ''". .- ^I1;22', ' 221 S. 1300 E. (7) 200 South PLEASE VISIT WWW.GOFOBO.COM/RSVP AND ENTER THE CODE CHRONF6VZ TO DOWNLOAD YOUR COMPLIMENTARY PASS! MAKE SURE TO PRINT OUT YOUR PASS AND PRESENT IT AT THE SCREENING. See Our Other Locations: TWO PASSES PER PERSON, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. MUST BE 13 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO DOWNLOAD PASSES AND ATTEND SCREENING. 421 E.400 S. 355-3259 THIS FILM IS RATED PG-13 for violence and creature terror, and some sensuality. Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13. Gateway Mall (Food Court) 456-0798 Please note: Passes are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. \lo phone calls, please. Limit two passes per person. Each pass admits one. Seating is not guaranteed. Arrive early. Theater is not responsible for overbooking. This screening will be monitored for unauthorized 'ecording. By attending, you agree not to bring any audio or video recording device into the theater (audio -ecording devices for credentialed press excepted) and consent to a physical search of your belongings and person. Any attempted use of recording devices will result in immediate removal from the theater, forfeiture, and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. Please allow additional time for heightened security. You an assist us by leaving all nonessential bags at home or in your vehicle. IN THEATERS MARCH 11 WVVVV.REDRIDINGHOODMOVIE.COM N 582-5001 www.subway corn rocal ,..1.5.aers ■rc 1314 S. Foothill Dr. (Foothill Village) 581-1322 974 E. 2100 S. (Sugarhouse) 485-8658 STUDENT FRIENDLY! GO UTES Not good with any other offer. Good at participating stores only. No cash value. Not for sale. © 2004 Doctors Associates Inc. NOTICE OF PROPOSED TUITION INCREASE The University of Utah is proposing to increase student tuition, beginning Summer Term 2011. The proposed increase would consist of a first-tier increase as mandated by the Utah State Board of Regents and a secondtier increase as proposed by the University. The University is proposing a second-tier increase in the range of 2% to 4%, assuming a potential increase in first-tier tuition of approximately 5%. The total increase in tuition would be in the 7% to 9% range, or an increase of approximately $160 to $200 per semester for a resident undergraduate student taking an average load (12 credits). Actions taken by the Legislature subsequent to the publication of this announcement may make it possible to be more definitive regarding second-tier tuition at the meeting mentioned below. The University Administration will explain the reasons for the proposed second-tier increase, address the total increase in tuition to the extent possible, discuss expectations for allocating the increased revenue, and field comments regarding the increases at a public meeting to be held: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. East Ballroom, Olpin Union All concerned students and citizens are invited to the public hearing on the proposed increase. THEU UNIVERSITY OF UTAH |