What does the win against Miami mean for the Jazz?

On Friday night the Jazz beat the hottest team in the NBA.  Some are calling it a "season changing win".  While it is too early to declare it a "season changer", there are still a lot of things we can learn from the upset victory last night.

The Jazz don't have a go-to guy.  They are a team that's going to beat you as a team, and not with one, two, or even three options.  They can, and really have to win as a team.  A classic example of this was the last offensive play for the Jazz.  The original offensive set was an isolation to Al Jefferson who had been playing very well against his match up all night, and was the Jazz' leading scorer on the night.  Al noticed that the play wasn't there, and passed it up top to Devin Harris who made the best play of his entire tenure with the Jazz, pump faking "The King", than throwing up a floater over D-Wade, drawing the foul and making the free-throw.  This was the Jazz' most balanced offensive effort of the season.  Six players in double figures, five players with three or more offensive rebounds, and three players with 5+ assists.  Another interesting note, every Jazz starter was a minus in the +/- rating, while everyone who came off the bench was a plus.

The Jazz can compete with the big teams.  It's no secret that this years Jazz play to the level of their competition, but the Jazz have hung tight with, and beat big name teams this year and usually play better against them when the teams big star is in the game.  They have suffered way too many disappointing losses this year, but the young Jazz can play with and occasionally beat the big boys.

We were shown some of the killer mentality that the Jazz have been lacking.  When one of the best players in the game had probably the most dominating 4th quarter I've ever seen at the ESA, the Jazz hung tough and won.  How they did it is irrelevant.  They won.  Even though LeBron had a huge 4th quarter, Dwyane Wade was held in check in the final minutes going 2-6 in the closing quarter, and missing a clutch free-throw with 13 seconds left.

Is this win a "season changing" win?  The simple answer is, "not yet".  In order for it to be a season changing win, the Jazz go on a stretch of winning at least ten of their next thirteen or fourteen games.  In order for it to be a season defining game, the Jazz would need to make the playoffs.  I believe that people are overlooking the impact the Houston game had on the Jazz.  After the DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings royally beat the Jazz in the newly dubbed "Powerbalance Pavilion" (I'm partial to "Arco Arena"), Utah bounced back the next night and throttled one of the teams biggest rivals in Houston.  The Rockets at the time were 4th place in the Western Conference.  That win gave the Jazz some confidence and swag heading into the game against LeBron and the Heat.

The upcoming road trip will really show us the effect that this memorable victory over Miami will have on the young Jazz.  Tonight Utah will face Roddy "Jazz Killer" Beaubois and the Mavs whom the Jazz have struggled to defend all year.  After which the team travels to Cleveland and Charlotte, which normally Utah would chock up as a victory.  For whatever reason though, the Jazz have lacked motivation and heart against teams they should beat.  Following which the Jazz travel to the City of Brotherly Love to face the Atlantic Division leading 76ers, and finish up the road trip in Chicago against the leaders of the Eastern Conference.  If there was ever a time to see just how much this win meant to the Jazz, it's now.

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LeBron passed on the last play. So what?

Miami 98 Utah 99.

Certainly an entertaining game, and one of the Jazz' best performances of the season, regardless of blowing a lead late in the game.

The Jazz are down 1 with 13 seconds left, and quickly go to a play that has been a favorite as of late, going to the low post in an iso play for Al Jefferson.  Nothing was there, and he dished it back to Devin Harris at the top of the key.  Devin, with "The King" guarding him, pump faked, got LeBron in the air and took it to the hole.  He floats up a prayer with his right hand, draws contact from D-Wade and makes the shot.  Harris goes to the line, makes the free throw, Jazz up one with 4.5 seconds left.

On the ensuing play, LeBron lined up underneath the hoop guarded by Josh Howard.  To this point in the 4th quarter, the Headband Hoodlum had been playing like a mad man.  8-9 from the field in the 4th quarter including a three-pointer with 1:07 left, and a crazy 23 footer with a guy in his face, to take the lead with 26 seconds left.  The game was his.  He curled up outside the three point line on the wing, catches a screen from Udonis Haslem and is double teamed by Paul Millsap and Josh Howard, and passed to the open man (Haslem), who missed an open 18 footer, Jazz rebound, Jazz win.

I really don't think that LeBron dishing the ball was that big of a deal.  Haslem is having an off-season, and isn't shooting well, but historically is a decent mid-range shooter.  He was the open man, and had a good look.  LeBron had two guys right up in his face and passed it to the open man, and LeBron gets the blame for this loss.  Not to mention if Haslem sinks the open "J", LBJ would have looked like a genius.  Does the double teamed superstar keep the ball and take an off-balance shot, or pass to the open role-player who is traditionally a good mid-range shooter?

What if D-Wade hadn't disappeared in the 4th quarter.  He was 2-6 shooting, and missed a free-throw that would have given the Heat a three point lead with 13 seconds left.  What if Wade made the free-throw?  LeBron was the only reason the Heat were even in the game in the 4th quarter.  Dwyane Wade should be the one taking the Heat for this loss, if anybody.

This game wasn't a division, or conference game.  Miami still has a 5 1/2 game lead over division rival Orlando, and the Jazz are still looking like a long-shot for a playoff spot out West.  This game has little significance to either team, right now.  If this game were later in the season, and the playoff races were a lot closer than they actually are, this game, and LeBron's pass would have mattered a lot more.  LeBron disappeared in the final minutes of playoff games last year.  He's done much better in the clutch this year, and he certainly stepped it up in the 4th quarter tonight.  He shouldn't be criticized for passing to an open player, especially after all he had done.  If/when he does that in a game that matters this year, than we can get on his back.  As for now, he's still one of the most dominant players in the game.

Follow me on Twitter @crackalacka22

How one team can single-handedly ruin the NBA

Some of you may have heard that the NBA finals are being played between the Dallas Mavericks and the dreaded Miami Heat.  This series has been really interesting for me.  I grew up a fan of the small market Utah Jazz, and traditionally have never cared about the Heat ('til this year), and have despised Dallas for a loooooooooong time.  I want the Mavericks to win, but I have the Heat in 6.

This series has put me in deep thought for some time now.  How could I, Austin Christensen, a life-long Jazz fan, who has hated the Mavericks for as long as I have (started with the 1st round playoffs when the Jazz went up 2-0 and Dallas won 3 straight to win the series) cheer so fervently for them to win the Holy Grail of NBA basketball?  It's because if the Miami Heat win the NBA championship it will completely, utterly, and absolutely destroy the NBA as we know it.  

The NBA has some teams from small markets that have contributed in big ways to the leagues history, and tradition.  The San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder/Seattle Supersonics, and Sacramento Kings have all contributed in great ways and have had great playoff runs in the Western Conference.  All are smaller markets.  In the East you have teams like the Pacers, even the Milwaukee Bucks when they had Lou Alcindor,and Cleveland who are all smaller markets, and have made playoff runs of their own.  The league has a history of smaller markets who make runs in the playoffs and even steal TV ratings (i.e. Memphis this year, and Golden State of 2006).  If the Heat win the Finals this year, it will completely ruin these smaller markets, and in turn, ruin more than half the league.

NBA players normally don't want to go to smaller markets, and the players that are in the small markets, all want to get out (i.e. Rony Seikally and Derek Harper being traded to Utah, and Deron Williams staying in Utah).  LeBron James left his smaller market, home-town team to join Chris Bosh (also leaving a smaller basketball market) and DeWayne Wade in Miami.  The three players contacted each other during the summer, and planned to form a dream team in a desirable market, and are now on the verge of winning an NBA championship.  Amare Stoudamire and Carmelo Anthony soon followed suit, joining up in New York, another desirable market to live and play in.  

If the Heat win, all the NBA's superstars are going to be calling each other and trying to find a good location to play ball, and make their own dream teams, virtually eliminating teams like Indiana, Utah, Milwaukee, Minnesota etc. from getting any superstar players of their own.  All the Superstars are going to want to take pay-cuts, and go to bigger markets to play for rings.  Dallas didn't have to do that, and that is why ALL of America, but especially small market America, should be cheering for Dallas to win the NBA Finals.  Dallas is the team that can stick it to the man, and prove that the superstars of the NBA can't do whatever they want to do.  

Miami winning the Finals would mean an end of balance (if there was any to begin with) talent, and depth to the NBA, making it even more predictable, boring, and one-sided than ever.  America, and the NBA need the Mavericks to win this series.  Let's go Mavs!  

Follow me on Twitter @badgerbadger630

2/28/10

Due to popular demand (I can't believe I'm saying that about my blog) I'm back again.  I believe that this is the most I've blogged in, um...ever.  Twice in 5 days.  That's saying something for me.  This has been an interesting week for me personally and in the world of sports, which in all honesty and sadly enough is the world I live in.
Today I want to make some comparisons in between some college basketball teams.  I watched the BYU basketball game this last week.  I was really impressed.  BYU played a great game and shot lights out from behind the 3 point line.  They ended up winning in a hostile Viejas Arena, by double digits.  With the win, and another win over CSU earlier in the week, BYU climbed to number 3 in the latest ESPN polls.  I will say it once and for all, I NEVER SAID THAT BYU IS A BAD TEAM.   I think that they deserve the number 3 spot in the polls by default, because everyone ahead of them keeps losing.  BYU hasn't lost in a while and they should be rewarded for that.  They are doing something that the other top teams aren't: winning.  I think that the quality of the San Diego State win is really overrated though.  Regardless of RPI and the ranking, it is completely overrated.  San Diego State has now only lost two games this year, both to BYU.  Who else have the Aztecs played that would even present a challenge?  Gonzaga (not ranked and is not at the same level of Gonzaga teams of the past), and Saint Mary's (who also doesn't have a quality win on the year).  They were ranked number 4 (or 6 depending on the poll) out of default as well.  BYU beat SDSU and is clearly the better team of the two, and is clearly the best team in the Mountain West.  But SDSU has beat who?  No one.
BYU has also beat an Arizona team this year.  Arizona was ranked in the top ten before a loss to UCLA last week.  Arizona is a good team, but I will use Doug Gottlieb's words as my own "...name the wins BYU has...ZONA and ??? Utah State?"  I think that BYU has talent, but I don't think they can/will match up against other top teams in March.  BYU has 1 win which I would really consider quality (the Zona win), and 0 bad losses.  The teams ranked ahead of BYU are Ohio State  (#1) and Kansas (#2).  Let's take a look at their schedules.  Ohio State's quality wins; @Florida, Minnesota (x2), Michigan (x2), and Purdue.  OSU has two losses on the year as well, coming in two of the toughest places to play in the country.  At Wisconsin, and at Purdue.  Now let's look at Kansas.  Quality wins; Arizona, UCLA, Memphis, @Michigan, Kansas St., and Mizzou.  Losses coming against a good Texas team, and another good Kansas St. team.  When you look at the resumes there is no comparison.  To show everyone I'm not a homer, I'll compare BYU to the Utes.  Once Utah football actually played someone worth noting, they got crushed.  Utah was ranked number 5 in the nation by default.  All the teams ahead of them were losing and Utah just kept winning.  Utah played TCU and we all remember what happened.  I don't think that BYU can compete with Kansas, Ohio St., or even some of the teams they are ranked higher than like Duke, or Pitt.  I think that if BYU played any of them they would lose.  But I do think that BYU is the best team in the conference still.  I think BYU will win at least one game in the Big Dance as well.
Tonight the Jazz will play and honestly probably lose to the Celtics.  From what I've seen in the last two games with Devin Harris and Derrick Favors, the Jazz' future is very bright.  The Jazz did lose against Detroit but all facts considered I wasn't that disappointed.  We had a guy starting at Point Guard who had practiced with the Jazz once, and they were playing in back-to-back nights, not-to-mention the fact that the Jazz just aren't playing very well lately.  But the future looks promising with our new players.  Devin Harris had 17 points and 12 assists against the Pistons.  That's after one practice.  Also, when he was asked what he brings to the Jazz he responded in one word, "leadership".  I've liked this guy for a while.  I'm also happy that we lost a "leader" in Deron Williams, but picked up perhaps a better one in Devin Harris.  Go Jazz.
That's the way it is folks.  Love it or hate it, it's just the way it is.  Let the debating begin.

2/23/10

It's been a while, and I sincerely apologize to both of you that read this.
There is a lot of stuff I could write about right now.  I could talk about Jerry Sloan, the Jazz, BYU basketball, #1's losing, but I choose to talk about Deron Williams.
Deron was a great Jazz point guard for about 5 1/2 seasons.  During that entire time I could never see Deron playing for another team.  I thought I would be seeing number 8 hanging in the rafters at ESA in about 10 years.  Earlier this season Deron was involved in an argument with Jazz legend, and former Head Coach Jerry Sloan.  The day after said argument, Jerry Sloan and Phil Johnson both resigned from their positions.  These two were so iconic in the state of Utah, that the other day an asian exchange student stopped me on campus and said, "Now you no have Sa-loan.  What you do now?"  After running Jerry outta town it seemed like the end was near.  Now it's a whole new ball game.
Deron was the one running the team.  It was so out of control that not even Jerry Sloan was willing to handle it.  He could of had he wanted to, but he didn't want to so he resigned.  Tyrone Corbin was named the new Skipper of the Jazz, but Deron still had control of the team.  With Deron at the helm things were only looking down.
Today, 2/23/10, The Utah Jazz traded Deron Williams for Derrick Favors (who was the number 3 draft pick from last years draft), and Devin Harris who is a year older than Deron, and is a solid, disciplined point guard.  The Jazz also get 2 draft picks in the deal, and both very well could be lottery picks.
This team is now %100 Tyrone Corbin's team.  Devin Harris isn't necessarily the best point guard number wise in the league.  He is, however, something that the Jazz love, and need which is a disciplined point guard who is great at distributing the ball.  He can drive, drive and dish, and he can score.
The Jazz also got Derrick Favors.  6'10", 245 lbs, athletic, and has a ton of potential.  The Jazz height is loaded now.  We have Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Memo (when healthy), Fesenko, Evans, Elson and the recently acquired Favors.  The Jazz have height.  I think the Jazz need to improve their back court with the upcoming draft.  A consistent 2 guard who can slash and defend is a must for the Jazz.  Right now Wes Matthews is looking really good.  I tweeted (follow me @badgerbadger630) that Jazz fans haven't been truly happy with a 2 guard since Jeff Hornacek.  I had someone tell me that fans were happy with Kyle Korver.  Fans liked him because he's a shooter, and fans love shooters, but he wasn't a great fit with the Jazz.  Devin Harris, though he's not Deron Williams, is a solid Point Guard, and lead the Mavericks to some great seasons.
Deron had to go.  We've known it for a couple of weeks now.  Get it all over with now.  Interesting times to be a Jazz basketball fan.  Jazz, welcome to the future.

Week 4

Wow.  What a weekend of sports!  Definitely the best sports weekend I've had in recent memory.  We've got a lot of fun stuff to cover from the past week in sports.
College football this last week was crazy!  There were some absolutely amazing games this last week! OU @ OSU, even LSU @ Arkansas was a good game.  Gotta love rivalry week!  I'll be talking about Auburn vs. Bama, BSU vs. Nevada, and of course, BYU vs. Utah.
The game that started it all was Auburn and Bama.  I set the DVR to record the game, as my family and I made our way over to All-Star bowling lanes to participate in the timeless holiday classic, The Turkey Bowl.  When I came home, I promptly sat myself down, and watched "The Iron Bowl".  I don't like that name, because in comparison, Iron is weak to other metals.  Should be called the Steel Bowl, or something like that.  Oh well, I'm not from Alabama so I really don't mind that much.  Traditionally I cheer for Auburn in this rivalry, basically because they live in the shadow of Alabama, and nobody really likes Nick Saban anyway right?  Just ask...I don't know, maybe LSU or Miami Dolphins fans after he sold out on both of them.  This year I was in a lose lose situation.  I could cheer for pompous, arrogant Nick Saban, or the pompous, arrogant Cam Newton.  Considering the fact that I don't want either BSU or TCU to go to the national championship, I rested my alliance once again with the Tigers.  Well...needless to say Alabama jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after Julio Jones took the Greg "pretty boy" McElroy's pass about a billion yards to the house.  After I saw that I quickly pulled out my black and silver samsung phone, and tweeted from the comforts of my very couch, that the game was over and promptly asked, "What time is the Nevada game?"  Little did I know.  Well, after going down increasing their deficit, on the road, I think that Jerry Sloan went in to give the halftime speech and some of the on-the-road comeback magic that the Jazz have used.  Auburn came out of the half like a different team.  AU was down 24-0, and by games end had miraculously left the fans in Tuscaloosa, and around the nation in shock as they came from behind to win 28-27.  This is the second game where after the home team goes up 14-0, I've tweeted and said something along the lines of, "game over", and the road team comes back and wins!  The first was the Utah vs. SDSU game.  Many have already crowned Cam Newton the Heisman winner of 2010, including Larry Fitzgerald who was a Heisman finalist himself in 2003.  I however, am not so quick to jump on the bandwagon.  The Heisman represents everything that is right with college football.  Cam Newton doesn't.  I listened to a special segment of him on ESPN.  I already thought the kid was a punk, but after watching that, my thoughts were solidified into feelings.  I don't like him.  I think he's a great football player, but he's not Heisman material.  With the Heisman Trophy already surrounded by controversy, this is the last thing they need.  If they give the Heisman to Cam Newton, they're just going to take it back in a year or maybe two.  Cam Newton's lucky I'm not a Heisman voter.
I took a break from my current addiction of college football, and got my NBA on.  Whoever schedules the games for the Jazz is genius.  Rivalry week is scheduled, and the Jazz scheduled to play the Lakers at home!  Gotta love it!  The Jazz game starts, and I absolutely loved it!  They got down, big, and early.  The Lakers were getting all the calls (as usual) and I remember turning to my mom and telling her, "It's going to be a long night."  The game got going, and things really started to pick up when Earl Watson got the ball on a fast break, and dished it off to his bash brother, 6'1" Ronnie Price, who in turn dunked it over the hated, 6'11" Lamar Odom.  The Jazz were down 19, and made yet another HUGE comeback!  Kobe Bryant finally decided to get his game on in the 4th quarter, and scored 11 points in 90 seconds.  Raja Bell was guarding him, then the Jazz made a defensive switch to put Andrei Kirlilenko on him.  Andrei made one mistake, and gave up a 3 pointer by going under a screen and not over, but other than that, completely shut Kobe down.  Kobe got "fouled" behind the arc, nailed his 3 free throws to put the Lakers up 96-91, and once again I'd given up hope.  The Jazz hadn't.  The Jazz scored the final 11 points of the game, including a huge turnover they got where D-will tipped the ball up to Raja Bell for the easy fastbreak points, and the Jazz win 102-96.  The Jazz really have been phenomenal so far.  They have made huge comebacks against big teams, on the road, and at home now too.  We can hang in there with anyone in the league, and I honestly do think we'll make a big run in the playoffs.  Yesterday they beat the Clippers as well, which was the 7th road victory for the Jazz this season.  Last year they got their 7th road win in JANUARY!  This team has made some strides, and they are very excited to be winning these big games, and hit their stride.  Al Jefferson said it was a playoff like atmosphere.  He hadn't beaten the Lakers since his rookie year 6 years ago.  These guys hang hang in there with the best of them.
After the intense comeback, I stayed on my couch, switched it to ESPN, and watched the Nevada Wolfpack take on the Boise State Broncos.  Those of you who know me, know that I do not like those Broncos.  I do not like them in a box, I do not like them with a fox.  I think they are the most overrated team, perhaps in the history of college football.  They put their 24 game win streak on the line in that matchup.  Their last loss came in the 2008 poinsettia bowl against a then #11 ranked TCU 17-16.  In this stretch of 24 games, they beat Oregon twice (once at home, and once on the road) by a total of 16 points from both matchups.  They beat TCU once by a touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl, and they beat Virgina Tech by 3, who had an encore the next week by losing the the college football juggern(o)t James Madison IN Blacksburgh.  Whenever Boise State does play someone big, they squeak out the victory.  In this stretch of 24 games, I'd consider all the previously mentioned games "big".  5 out of 24 doesn't exactly do it for me.  I've said it once, I'll say it a billion times.  Boise State can't squeak out victories against these big teams week in, and week out.  They can't do it.  The game this last week was the clincher for the WAC title, and would have sealed a BCS birth for the Broncos.  They had the ball with 9 seconds left and Kellen Moore threw a prayer up, and it was completed for a HUGE gain to the Nevada 10 yard line.  I felt sick.  I just knew that I was going to see Chris Peterson and all the BSU players go jumping around the field after another miracle of a victory.  Well, out comes Kyle Brotzman (BSU's place kicker, who had a facebook profile, and promptly deleted it after the game) to try the what appeared to be a chip-shot of a field goal.  It's up, and good.  Boise State wins...so it appeared.  I thought the game was over, and so did BSU.  The refs thought differently.  They said the kick was no good!  Wide-right!  Nevada has one more chance!  Bill Plaschke of the L.A. Times insists the kick was good.  Nevada is one of maybe the 10 D.1 universities that still uses high school length goal posts.  They would come in handy.  BSU gets the ball first in OT, gets to 4th down again.  Out comes Brotzman, and this time goes wide-left!  I couldn't believe it!  The same misfortune that BSU's opponents (BYU included) had been having for years had finally turned the table against perhaps the most loved team in the nation!  I was sitting there with atownmania and gabbygayle enjoying every second of it.  Nevada gets the ball with the necessity of a field goal to win!  Out comes the kicker, and BOOM!  Straight through the uprights!  I could hear Howard Cosell yelling into his mic, "DOWN GOES BOISE!  DOWN GOES BOISE!"  I stood, jumped, and hugged all who were near me, as I saw the team I've been cheering against for year finally had something bad happen to them!  Not only did they lose and have their BCS dreams go down the drain; but the Mountain West Conference which they recently joined also took a HUGE hit today!  More on that later.
BYU made their way up north this weekend as well to play the Utes of Utah. It was quite the game.  Quite the game indeed.  I don't think I need to do a huge recap of the game, because I believe that both of you who read this blog watched the game.  There are some things that have been getting on my nerves though.
1-Robert Anae is calling the same plays that he's been calling ever since he's been at BYU.  Short passes in the flats to the running backs.  Going for it on 4th and 1 isn't just his call.  That's the head coaches call.  Bronco has the right to override any play before it's actually called.  That being said I don't agree with a play-action pass on 4th and 1.  BYU hadn't been able to run the ball at all on the 10th ranked rush defense in the nation.  But it's only a yard.
2-Don't blame this game on the refs.  BYU fans have used this photo to prove that yes in fact the receiver was down.  I agree with you.  They even circled it to prove their point.  He was down.  But who has possesion?  In no point in this replay can you show, or prove that he had posession when he was down.  You can't see his right hand in this picture.  In fact, you can see more of Kendrick Moeai's hand, than that of BYU's receiver.  This picture, and any comments about the refs are totally invalid.  There is no proof either way on this call.  BYU fans can complain all they want.  But so can San Diego State's fans after BYU stole a victory from them.  If we're going to blame everything on the refs, BYU shouldn't even have a winning season because of the refs!  They shouldn't have won that game because of the refs!  But they did win that game, and Utah won this one.  Before you point the fingers at the refs, remember that VERY questionable call of BYU's catch, which was also reviewed.  The no-call of the horsecoller which actually injured Eddie Wide and should have been a personal foul, and also the lame personal foul call on Brian Blechen for helmet to helmet, when it wasn't.  PLUS BYU went for it on 4th down instead of kicking a field goal.  Had they kicked, and made the field goal BYU would have won.  When they did kick the field goal, Mitch Payne didn't even warm up, and when he got on the field had it blocked.  Focus on your own team, and what they could have done better, not what the refs could have done better.  Blown calls on both sides of the ball.  This call however wasn't blown.  There wasn't enough evidence to prove that did, or didn't secure the ball.
3-I don't like BYU football at all.  I really don't.  However, I don't like the fact that Utah players were taunting Mitch Payne after the field goal.  I think they should have celebrated the fact that they made a great play, and not the fact that he didn't.  I also don't like the fact that Utah fans threw snow on Bronco Mendenhall.  I don't like the guy at all, but I'm not dumb enough to throw snow on him.  BYU gave the Utes all they could handle.  It was a very evenly matched game, and Utah just made the plays when the plays needed to be made.  It doesn't matter that BYU "dominated" the first 3 quarters.  Utah's 4th quarter was better than BYU's whole game!  Utah is the team that won by one, but it was very evenly matched, and no team has room to complain, or to trash-talk at all.
BYU and Utah will both be leaving the Mountain West Conference next year.  BYU made its declarations of independence, and Utah will be going to the Pac-12. The 1 thing I like about the Mountain West next year, is that BSU or TCU will have to lose a game!  They will play each other next year, and one of them has to lose! I'm very excited about that.  TCU declared today that they will be moving to the Big Eas(y) in 2012.  It was a desperate move by the Big East to keep it's BCS bid.  There will probably be a 4 loss team emerging from within its ranks to represent itself in the Orange Bowl this year.  Ridiculous.  It was a smart move by TCU.  They won't have to dominate every opponent now in hopes of maybe getting a coveted BCS bid.  Now they just have to beat out the other cupcakes in the Big East.  Smart move by TCU, and really really bad for Boise State.  The new Mountain West might as well be commissioned by Karl Benson.  Boise State, Nevada, Fresno State, and even Hawaii might be entering into the conference.  Mountain West, say hello to even more mediocricy than you already had.  Utah, BYU, and TCU fans, say goodbye to the Mountain, and those stupid remax signs on the field!
It's been fun!  I hope you've had as much fun reading this as I had writing it!  Until next week, stay classy

Week 1

I've been a sports fan for as long as I can remember.  A big one.  My earliest sports memories were from when I lived in Holladay, Utah watching a Utah Jazz vs. Boston Celtics game on TV with my parents.  I was somewhere from 2-4 years old in this time period.  I remember seeing my Dad laying on the ground, my Mom on the couch, and both were yelling at the T.V.  From that point in time I've been some might say a bit obsessive with sports.  I love them.  I've always wanted my chance to share my opinions with others.  Splitting the D was created so I could do so.
This weeked was an interesting one.  I'm currently attending Snow College in Ephraim, Utah which is about 2 1/2 hours south of Salt Lake.  I bought a ticket to the Utah vs. TCU game this week and sat with my brother in the MUSS.  It was an interesting game for me.  It was my first D. I college football game since I've been home from a 2 year break from American sports.  I was very impressed with Utah's crowd.  I thought the crowd was awesome, and was probably the best crowd I've ever seen at ANY sporting event I've ever attended.  My voice was gone before the game even started, and there were no empty seats, 15 minutes before the game even started.  It had the atmosphere of a BCS game.  I remember going to the Fiesta on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 2004-05.  There were a lot of similar festivities and activities before the game.  The hype was there, as were College Gameday, and ESPN radio. 
It started out at the tailgate party for the MUSS, and I got 1 number off on the raffle to win sideline passes for the whole game.  That would have been fun being down by Utah greats such as, but not limited to Ben Moa, Alex Smith, and Jamal Anderson.  After that we saw the crazy accordion guy singing "Utah Man Sir" in a polka style.  Never seen, or heard the likes of that.  I probably never will again for the rest of my life either.  It was fun!  Not something I'd like to see every day though.  After that we entered into the line, and Scott, Aaron and I started talking about how it's too bad to see the Utah, BYU rivalry get as bad as it's going to be next year.  I've had some great memories with this rivalry.  Some of my best sports memories have come from it.  There have been some absolute classic games in this rivalry.  The conference championship has been decided in this rivalry game.  Next year, Utah and BYU will be in different conferences (actually BYU won't even be in a conference), and the game is going to be played in the 3rd game of the season, right after Utah plays USC in L.A.  Those 2 factors are going to change the shape of this rivalry.  BYU fans get mad at Utah for leaving and going to the Pac-12.  But honestly, if BYU had the decision it would have done the same thing.  It would be stupid NOT to accept actually. 
Anyway, we were talking about it and a drunk guy in front of us heard it.  He turned around and made some...interesting points.  He said, "who needs BYU anyway.  I'd rather have a rivalry with Utah State.  It's a nicer drive.  It's a nicer place to play in, and...who needs BYU anyway?  I mean do you know what the 5th place bowl is for the Pac-12?"  To which I responded, "The Las Vegas Bowl."  "Exactally.  Who needs BYU anyway.  Instead of going to Laramie, Albuquerque, San Diego.  Well San Diego is a nice place, but they don't have fans.  But we're going to be getting the sun, going to the beach and the Oregon coast.  We get the Sun Bowl..." I jumped in, "The Rose Bowl."  He looked shocked, and said, "Oh no you di-ent!"  "Oh yes I did!"  That was definitely one of the funniest things I saw all day.  Almost as funny as seeing Jordan Wynn trying to pick apart the TCU defense...oh boy.
We got into the game, the MUSS was ready, the whole crowd (with exception of the visitors section) was decked out in black.  I was stoked.  I never felt like Utah was going to win this game.  I never made any predictions because my head, and heart got a little confused.  But once the game started, and Andy Dalto and TCU marched right down the field for their 1st touchdown I knew we were in trouble.  That whole 1st drive the crowd was excited, and loud.  Loudest crowd I've ever heard.  Gary Patterson said before the game that he wanted to take the crowd out of it early.  That's exactally what they did.  I also told my brother before the game that if Utah wanted to have a chance, the crowd would have to stay in it.  I told him we couldn't let TCU score on their first 2 posessions...which they did, and successfully took the crowd out of the game.
Everything was going TCU's way.  There were at least 3 missed pass interference, 3 holdings, and 2 blocks in the back that I saw that should have gone against TCU.  They got a couple of lucky bounces (i.e. fumble recovered 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage and returned for a td).  Jordan Wynn played horribly, and even got booed by home fans.  I don't remember the last time I saw a QB performance as bad as Wynn's last.  In my opinion Terrance Cain never should have lost his starting job.  The guy is a winner.  He is 10-0 as a starter.  What more can you ask for?  He started 2 games this season, and made some pinpoint passes.  Perfect passes.  Why isn't he starting?  I appreciate Kyle Whittingham thinking about the future.  But is the future enough of a reason (or excuse) to forget about the now?  Why did he not put Cain in?  I don't see ANY logic behind it.  So really there were a couple of things that really needed to be better in this game.  1-Reffering (I realize that the missed calls they didn't make weren't going to make a difference, but they missed a couple of blatent ones), 2-Quarterbacking (Wynn isn't the man.  I've never been a fan, and he proved why I shouldn't be a fan in this last game) 3-Coaching (TERR-ANCE CAIN!  TERR-ANCE CAIN) 4-Utah's tackling, 5-Utah's receiving.  Wynn wasn't playing well at all, but whenever he did make a good throw, it seemed like his receivers, I won't mention names *cough DeVonte Christopher cough* wouldn't make the catch, or would fumble.  TCU played their very best game, and Utah played it's very worst.
In the end I had a great time.  I really did.  We danced the rest of the game away, heckled as only true fans can, and laughed our stinkin' guts out.  I'm glad I could make my way up to see the biggest game (and letdown) in Utah history.
After that I came home, plopped down on the couch after dancing the ride home away with my bro, and decided to watch some Jazz basketball...much to my dismay they were down 18, to the Clippers, at home.  Yes you read that right.  Long story short, the Jazz come from behind to win in 2 OT.  I'm happy the Jazz got the "W".  I really am.  A win is never ever a bad thing.  However, as most "Jazz fans" celebrated, I wasn't as happy.  There were a couple of really disappointing, and even disgusting facts about this game to me.  Let's review.  1-The Jazz were down 18 points to the Clippers.  To me, and Jerry Sloan I'm sure that is not acceptable at all.  The Clippers!  I understand they have Eric Gordon, and Blake Griffin, but the Jazz are clearly the more talented team, and always have been.  2-The Jazz were down 18 points to the Clippers AT HOME!  We claim to have a great home-court advantage; I still think we do, but at home?  That's rough.  3-It took the Jazz OT to beat the Clippers at home.  Really?  4- It took the Jazz 2 OT to beat the Clippers at home.  5-We gave up the lead that we regained late in the game to let the Clippers come back.  The Clippers were making big plays (i.e. Eric Gordon's hammer dunk down the lane to tie it up), but also the Jazz just didn't look excited to play.  Our defense was really bad IMHO, but there were a couple of bright points about the game as well.  1- Paul Millsap is the man.  He truly is emerging to be an NBA star, and arguably one of the best 4's in the game right now.  I can't say how impressed I am with the overlooked 2nd round draft pick.  One of Kevin O' Connor's best moves EVER.  2- Andrei started getting into a rhythm.  He is the 6th highest paid player in the NBA.  Better start playing like it.  3- The Jazz showed they can come from behind, and 4-we can win close games.  I'm hoping the Jazz are just in a slump right now.  I'm hoping that Memo can make a difference as well when he comes back.  One things for sure, something's got to change with the way we are playin ball.  We've got Miami (in South Beach) tomorrow, followed up by other strong teams in the East, Orlando, and Atlanta, after which we get the lowly Bobcats.  The who's who of former NCAA stars.  This trip will show a lot about the Jazz.  Should be interesting seeing how we match up against the Miami "Threet", and how Big Al and our low post game matches up against the manchild Dwight Howard.  I'm looking forward to it, but I don't expect the Jazz to get more than 2 wins on this trip.
On a brighter note, the Snow College Badgers did beat Phoenix CC this last weekend to solidify the conference championship for the billionth year in a row!  They are in a 2-way tie with the Gauchos of Arizona Western for 1st place.  Congrats!  I'm excited to see the game this weekend against the conference champion from the scenic northwest of the U.S. of A., then to see them in the ever-so prestigious Top of the Mountians Bowl at Rio Tinto Stadium!
Anyone see that hit on Austin Collie?  Man...he must have done something really unrighteous this time.  He has had a great year though.  Clean hit too.  Hmmph!
Thanks for reading this weeks edition!  I'm out!  Be excellent to each other!