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Show Wednesday, November 9, 2011 DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Forgotten fans amid NBA debates 1- THE GREAT DEBATE -I Will the football team win out? If defense beats UCLA, downhill from there T StaffWriter I f you've ever been to an NBA arena for a game, then you've probably noticed the number of people it takes to work and operate the entire production, and you see the passion that fans display. You also know there might not be a season in 2011-2012 and that those workers will be out of a job, those fans will be left in the dark and the NBA will have disappointed many. Having worked in promotions for the Utah Jazz for two years, I know that these stadium workers, fans and communities thrive on professional basketball. Although these billionaire owners and millionaire players continue to avoid compromise, they also continue to forget about the real lifeblood of their sport. Forget about Sapati, the usher from New Zealand who has worked Jazz games for more than a decade, and needs that little extra help. Forget the older lady who attends games by herself, uses the games as a distraction from her husband who passed away and wears her Jazz jersey every game as she walks laps around the stadium before tip-off. Forget the Tongan Christian Church trying to raise money by working in concessions, or the East High School lacrosse team that does the same. Forget those restaurants and bars in the area that thrive on Jazz games. They don't need the help, surely—it's the NBA that does. Who cares about them? Splitting the Basketball Related Income, implementing a hard salary cap and keeping the mid-level exception clause is far more important. Now, I'm not saying that either side in this lockout should take a raw deal, but instead work for a compromise. If not for themselves, for the sake of the people this game affects— people who, like those mentioned above, are profoundly impacted by this lockout. As the Players Association votes today on whether to take the deal the owners have proposed, the hope is that these aspects are considered. Players might make a little bit less in their careers, and the owners might lose some money, but compromising would endear themselves to the fans and let them know that they were remembered during the lockout—remembered as the fans and employees who make this billion-dollar league possible. Potential irreparable damage could be caused if this lockout ends the season, turning the casual fan off the game and disappointing those most devoted. It's an almost audacious thought to have no season at all. Not after one of the most popular NBA seasons and playoffs in a decade, which should have the league buzzing with anticipation. Instead, here we are, with no games through November, and threat of a total cancellation of the season. Listing the reasons why players and owners should just simply compromise does seem futile in many respects because these aforementioned millionaires and billionaires will ultimately do what is absolutely best for themselves. If canceling the season is the answer, then so be it. However, the lack of urgency to get a deal is the most disconcerting notion. Why not begin talks in July, instead of September? Why wait so long to finally discuss this decertification? Why was there no urgency? They must have forgotten. t.patton@ chronicle.utah.edu 7 he Utes have a record of 5-4, but with three winnable games left on the schedule, the odds are in Utah's jORY favor to finish its first Pac-r2 CARROLL season at 8-4. After a slow start, the Utes have won two in a row and they can carry that momentum into the final games of the StaffWriter season. The season didn't look that ground, Utah's defense remains its great a month ago, when the Utes best weapon. With captains Chaz dropped two straight home games Walker, Matt Martinez and Star against Washington and Arizona Lotulelei, the defense has stepped State. With only two victories up to become one of the best in against nonconference teams, the Pac-r2, and it makes up for any Montana State and BYU, the realoffensive struggles. ization set in that winning in the Of the three remaining games Par-12 is easier said than done. this season, Saturday's Since then, the Utes have won matchup against UCLA three out of four games and finally proves to be the biggest seem to be back on track after loschallenge for the Utes. The ing quarterback Jordan Wynn for Bruins are coming off an unthe year. Although Wynn's injury expected 29-28 victory over all but ruined any chance for the Arizona State, and they are now 4-2 in Pac-12 play. The Utes Utes to win the Pac-12 South, Jon Hays has turned out to be a decent will likely have their hands full this replacement, and he improves each weekend, but with the home crowd game. behind them, they have the upper When Wynn injured his shoulhand. der against Washington, there After Saturday's game against were not high expectations for UCLA, the final two games of the Hays. The junior college transfer season should be no problem for struggled initially, but now appears the Utes. On Nov. 19, Utah will to be comfortable as the Utes quartravel to Pullman, Wash., to face terback and is capable of leading the 3-6 Washington State Cougars. the offense. Against the Arizona The Cougars have lost five games in a row, and their only Pac-12 win Wildcats this past weekend, Hays threw for two touchdown passes came against Colorado. and nearly 200 yards. It was not Speaking of Colorado, the Utes a spectacular performance, but it end the 2011 season at home against was enough to get the win. the 1-9 Buffaloes. Colorado has yet Aside from Hays' progress at to win a game in conference play, quarterback, running back John and it is pretty much guaranteed White is another reason the Utes the Utes will keep it that way. will win their remaining games. At Utah's start was rough, but a 5 feet 8 inches, White's height gives tough schedule aided the poor him the ability to weave through start. Now that the hardest three the defense and find an open hole. quarters of the schedule are behind His running game has caused Utah, it is set up for success. The major problems for defenses all Ute offense is finally coming toseason long, and he will continue gether under Hays, and the loss of to be one of Utah's key offensive Wynn has not been as devastating threats. as we first thought. Utah's defense Even though Hays has filled in will continue to be one of the best nicely at quarterback, and White as the 2011 season comes to an end. is getting the job done on the j.carroll@chronicle.utah.edu Bruins' momentum to stop Utah streak fter the Utes' struggles immediately following Jordan Wynn's injury against Washington, people RYAN were wondering if Utah would MCDONALD even get the six victories necessary to be bowl eligible. Funny how things can change so quickly. After two consecuStaffWriter tive victories, that conversation has changed to wondering if the Rick Neuheisel has been in the Utes can win their last three hot seat for a long time. That games of the regular season. I seat got cooler this past weekhate to rain on the parade, but I end when UCLA knocked off the just don't see it happening. Arizona State Sun Devils, 29-28. The first reason is the lack of The Utes will have momentum skill at the quarterback position. I coming into the contest because feel like a broken record, but I've of their two-game winning streak, always maintained that a but the Bruins will have even team will only be as good more after the upset of Brock Osas its quarterback. Jon Hays weiler and Co., and seize the win has played much better in at Rice-Eccles Stadium. recent weeks than he did Things have been a bit better when he was first thrust this season for the Washington into the lineup against State Cougars. Once the doormat Washington, but I just don't see of the Pac-12, they started the him being good enough quite yet season 3-I. They have since lost to be able to hold it together for four contests in a row (they had what would end up being a fiveto play both the Cardinal and game winning streak. the Ducks in that span), but that As far as Hays' teammates are doesn't mean the Cougars don't concerned, John White continues have a good shot at beating the to be a solid running back, and Utes. the return of DeVonte ChristoThen there's Colorado to close pher from his midseason injury out the season. Poor Buffaloes. has definitely helped Hays the They're just a dreadful football past two weeks, but it won't be team. The game will be a nice quite enough to win three more way for the Utes to finish off the games. regular season and potentially Newsflash: Teams have to put themselves in position for a compete against other teams in more prestigious bowl invitation, football. That's the second reason depending what teams like Cal that the Utes won't win out. No, do. there is no Stanford or Oregon Colorado could be a surefire left on the schedule—instead, win for the Utes, but the other it's UCLA, Washington State two are not so cut-and-dried. and Colorado. Although none of UCLA is a surefire loss, and the these teams are going to be in game at WSU is far from a guarthe BCS conversation any season anteed win for the Utes. After all soon, two of them are at least is said and done, the Utes will solid—sorry Colorado, but you're not win their final three games of terrible. the season. They'll still finish a In fact, not only will the Utes respectable 7-5 overall and near not win out, but they won't even .500 at 4-5 in conference play in win this weekend. The UCLA their inaugural Pac-12 season. I'm Bruins (5-4) have had an up-andsure they will take that. down season, and head coach r.mcdonald@chronicle.utah.edu A V S. VOLLEYBALL Utes 'have no fear' for final games Parker Lee STAFF WRITER The volleyball team is down to its final five games in what has been a difficult season. The Utes have won just four out of 17 conference games, which puts them loth in the Pac-12. However, the tougher portion of the schedule is behind them and the remaining matches set up well for a strong finish. Of the Utes' five remaining opponents, three are teams they have already beaten. They defeated Colorado—which is winless in Pac-12 play—and Washington State on the road, and swept Arizona State— which has only won two conference matches—at home. The Utes get two of those schools at home the second time around, so they are all winnable matches. Setter Abby Simmons said they have nothing to be afraid of with these teams, but they cannot take them for granted. "Early on, we were sort of just testing the waters, but now we have no reason for fear, so we can definitely finish strong," Simmons said. "At the same time, we have to stay hungry because nobody in this conference is a cakewalk." Arizona beat Utah 3-I the first time the two played, but it was competitive. Utah is also a much better team than it was when the two teams faced off last month, as it showed by knocking off then-No. 16 Oregon on the road, and coming within a few points of upsetting No. 7 Cal. Utah also catches Arizona at a good time Friday. Since beating Utah, Arizona has lost four of its six games. Based on the way the two teams have been playing, Friday's match is one the Utes could steal. Utah's most formidable opponent left is No. II Washington, which swept the Utes 3-o on Oct. 8. Fortunately for Utah, it plays the Huskies at home next week. The Huskies have struggled on the road, losing five of their past six away from Seattle. And although the most recent matchup wasn't much of a contest, Washington is a beatable team when on the road. If Utah plays a complete match, it is not out of the realm of possibility for the Utes to claim a second win over a top-2o opponent. "We have worked so hard all season long, and we aren't about to blow it now by letting up," Simmons said. The players still have much to learn in these final games, but a solid finish would do wonders for this young Utah team going forward, said head coach Beth Launiere. "This season was about learning, and we still haven't learned what it's like to go through an entire season in this conference," she said. "Finishing this season on a high note would really go a long way setting up for next year and the future." p.lee@ chronicle.utah.edu JULIAN GOMEZ /The Daily Utah Chronicle Nikki Sim sets the ball during the match versus USC. Utah has a soft schedule remaining, which could allow a strong finish. |