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Show SPORTS B6 Wolverines take a win in a physical game UVU to move to the WAC? Maybe? Athletics exploring a potential move Shane Maryott/UVU Review Junior transfer Isiah Williams drives towards the basket in last Thursday's game against Chicago State. By Mike Sanborn Asst. Opinions Editor Wolverines go 2-0 against confernece opponent CSU. Collegiate sports traversed a turbulent summer during 2010 with many schools opting to change conference affiliation in favor of better prospects in a fresh By Kira Terry Utah Valley continued venue. Sports Editor to extend their lead and the Prior to this month, UVU was 2,245 fans in attendance spared the drama surrounding changes. Meeting them for the went wild when UVU's News surfaced January 21-22 in the second time this season, the Hometown Hero Justin Bak- Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News Wolverines returned to their er extended their lead to nine that school administrators were exhome court last Thursday to off a dunk. ploring a potential move to the Westhost conference opponent The Wolverines went ern Athletic Conference, home to Chicago State. into the locker room at the Utah State University. Early January saw the break with a 23-point lead UVU Director of Athletics Mifirst meeting between the over the Cougars. chael Jacobsen confirmed that the two teams this season with Early in the second 20 school has submitted the school conthe result of a 93-82 win for minutes of play the game sideration to join the conference as the Wolverines. turned physical and a half of a non-football school. "President Last Thursday's meeting free throw shots as 36 of the [Holland] and myself have prebrought the Chicago State games 58 fouls were called. sented an information packet to Cougars to Orem wanting The Wolverines were led the WAC," said Jacobsen. offensively by junior transanother outcome. The information packet conBut the Wolverines fer stand out Isiah Williams tained information on the school didn't allow that for their with 17 points. Williams and athletics, as well as stating homecoming game and took was followed by teammates the university's case on why the victory in a very physical senior Jordan Swarbrick the move would be a good 84-61 game. with 11 points and seven re- fit for both the WAC and "We came out with bounds, freshman standout UVU. Jacobsen stressed great energy. We came out Holton Hunsaker with 11 that this was initiated by very sharp, very crisp," points and three rebounds, UVU and is only a preliimisaid Coach Dick Hunsaker. and junior transfer Geddes nary step towards consideration. "They [Chicago State] really Robinson with 10 points and "It's hard to say what's possible," said Jacobsen, "I don't put a lot of pressure on the 13 rebounds. want so their reaction is positive, but prospects are still basketball and I thought we The conference win puts open." handled that respectably." them 3-1 in the Great West From the university's perspective, the WAC is a better fit The Wolverines were the conference and 11-9 on the geographically than the Great West Conference. Currently, first to hit the scoreboard off season going into Saturday's UVU competes with schools that are located in the Dakoa layup by freshman stand- game against conference op- tas and further east, burdening the athletics department with out Ben Aird. The Cougars ponent NJIT. high travel costs. answered back with a jumpThe Wolverines will take Additionally, Utah State's position in the WAC has been er, but Utah Valley then to the road this week in a two confirmed after the Mountain West Conference released a went on to hold Chicago game conference road trip statement that the MWC would not be expanding any further State scoreless for just over against Texas-Pan American this year. two minutes of play while Feb. 3 and Houston Baptist "From our point of view, it would be good to have an inthey were able to give them- Feb. 5. state [conference] rival," said Jacobsen. selves a seven-point lead. •1 CD 03 0 0 03 4._ 0 0 The UVU versus Utah State men's basketball game in December set the school record for attendance as a Division I school. Fans on both sides were energetic and engaged in the game, more so than at any other game the Wolverines have played this season. Having an in-state school on the conference schedule every year, especially one as successful in the sports UVU cornpetes in lays a foundation to build a rivalry on. The university is still in the early stages of the state college to full university transition, and a lack of a clear rival or competition within the range of student travel is hindering support for the athletic teams. Students attending this university have a vested interest in seeing the WAC extend an invitation to UVU, not only in support of the athletic teams, but relating to their own educations. "There is a saying in collegiate athletics," said Jacobsen, " 'Academics are known by the company they keep in athletics." Jacobsen cited the example of two well-known universities: UCLA and Auburn. Both schools have national recognition, both in their athletics and as universities. But this exposure grew out of successful sports teams and not academic successes. "The conference we are in has been great, but limiting," said Jacobsen. Jacobsen explained that after the GWC tournaments are completed, teams have no opportunity for post-season play at a national level. If teams were playing in a conference with the history and exposure of the WAC, a successful season would result in national recognition. "We're all here to get an education," said Jacobsen. In the WAC, the value of a UVU education would be worth substantially more across the nation. As the WAC considers its expansion prospects before the April 1 deadline, every student and faculty member better have their fingers crossed than UVU makes the cut. Rebuilding season continues with another loss for lady Wolverines Last Thursday's game puts Utah Valley 0-4 in conference play. By Kira Terry Sports Editor Cougars from across the country came to town last Thursday to face our lady Wolverines and left town with a win over Utah Valley. Going into Saturday's game against NJIT, the lady Wolverines now sit at 0-4 in the Great West Conference and 2-17 on the season. The competition was a game of turnovers for Utah Valley as Chicago State used the Wolverines' 26 turnovers and turned them into 25 points, winning by 27, 84-57. "Basketball is not rocket science," said Coach Cathy Nixon. "Statistically, if you don't shoot the ball very well, turn the ball over a lot and give them second chances you're going to have a hard time being successful and that was the case tonight." Falling behind early in the first half, the lady Wolverines couldn't come back after the Cougars went on a 23-10 run. During the first, the Cougars took their lead to as much as 15. Going into half time the lady Wolverines sat nine points behind Chicago State. The second half saw Chicago State extend their lead to as much as 29 in the second half and staying in a far lead the entire 20. "I think they [Chicago State] are a team of personnel," said Nixon. "They have a good balance of some quickness and very good shooters and then their inside game is pretty good. I think more than anything it's probably their experience. They have a calm confidence about them that we don't have right now." Junior Jenna Johnson led the lady Wolverines offensively as she finished with 17 points. Johnson was followed by teammate sophomore transfer Sammie Jensen who finished with 16 points and six rebounds. The lady Wolverines will take off on a two game road trip this week facing off against Texas-Pan American and Houston Baptist Feb. 3 and 5. Utah Valley will return to home court Feb. 12 to host Texas-Pan American at 4:30 p.m. Shane Maryott/UVU Review Junior Jenna Johnson goes up for a jumper in their game against Seattle University. |