Can February Be Kinder to Utah Basketball
Utah Utes Basketball started the month of January off on what seemed like a decent note. Three competitive losses to what have turned into three very good teams in the Arizona Wildcats, Arizona St. Sun Devils and UCLA Bruins. Things have gotten nothing but worse from there however as all that stands between the Utes and an O-Fer in the Pac-12 is what was clearly a fluke win over the Washington Huskies.
Will February be the Utes Salvation or Damnation?
Utah starts things off against the Colorado Buffaloes. The Buffs are led by their talented sophomores Spencer Dinwiddie and Askia Booker, not to mention the player we cloned Jordan Loveridge from, Andre Roberson. CU was expected to battle for the Pac-12 title but that freak loss at Arizona sent them into a tailspin where they lost 3 of their next four, but look to have righted the ship. Utah on the other hand is hoping that Majerus Night will give them the same hot hand they had against Boise St., where they shot 75% and crushed a Boise team that had just defeated Creighton.
After CU, Larry’s Boys head to the northwest to face Pac-12 leading Oregon Ducks and the cellar dwelling (along with Utah) Oregon St. Beavers. Oregon St. might be the other road game, the Ute could steal.
Next up is the return trip of the Arizona schools. A month ago this seemed more exciting for the Utes. Now with those teams excelling while Utah falters, well…
The Utes finish out the month of February with a trip to the Bay Area to play the Stanford Cardinal and the Cal Bears. Both teams rocked Utah at home.
So what might the prognosis for Utah Basketball be in February? The Utes have four road games, three home games and unless a miracle occurs not good. If the Majerus magic doesn’t return Saturday Night, it looks like the Utes have one winnable game in the month, at Oregon St. But Oregon St. is the team that is looking much closer to winning right now.
An O-For-February is staring Utah dead in the face, which would leave us 1-14 in the Pac-12.
As with all things Utah Basketball, hope for better is all we have.