Jim Vanderhoof

You can down vote me all you want but Utah has historically not fared well in Texas. We struggled against a bad Baylor team last year and TCU would destroy us in the old MWC at home.

I hope I’m wrong but I don’t see a cake walk through the conference. Tough to win on the road. First time playing in different parts of the country in hostile env…[Read more]

I watched UCLA -USC game Saturday night. They both have sub 500 records. Lots of young athletic talent. Mixing 5 high school superstars takes time to teach there is only 1 ball.

You can’t depend on smart team basketball or a bunch of amazing athletes to win. You need both. The top programs recruit both. We are not in the MWC anymore.

As Ute f…[Read more]

Recruiting is a problem. I don’t see any good young freshman or sophomores on the bench pressing for playing time. We’ve done ok in the portal (Smith Bajema Lovering Carlsen Madsen Woster) Carlsen and Kieta the only freshman recruits that play.

Attendance is also an issue. Good players want to play in front of big crowds. The pac 12 has empty are…[Read more]

Ugly game. We looked tired and not mentally ready to play. A young team you put that on the coach. A veteran team you put that on the players. Our defense was non existent. Besides Smith we have nobody that can get to the basket and finish.

Hopefully we get healthy and start peaking at the end of the season. We need to play smart and as a team…[Read more]

Rivals BYU and Arizona ( payback).
Respected rivals TCU and Oklahoma state.
Thorns West Virginia and UCF (travel)
Achilles heel BYU ( Provo) Texas tech (Lubbock)

I’m on the same page Rick. Smith makes things look easy. He gets separation off the dribble and can break down the defense. I can actually enjoy watching the Utes with Smith playing instead of Woster dribbling.

Play the best players!! Maybe if Keba starts and is counted on to play more minutes his fouls will go down. At least give him the o…[Read more]

My projections are from purely a skill perspective. Who has the most talent and can give us the best chance to win. You guys bring up a valid point with Kietas foul issues. Starting Lovering to keep Keita out of foul trouble early makes sense. Smaller athletic teams will make Lovering defend the perimeter.

I also could see a lineup of Carlson…[Read more]

Thanks Tony just another senior moment. Although the men’s team has better hair!

Watching OKC play the Jazz the other night. Holmgren listed 7’1 195 lbs. 38% 3 pt 7 rebounds 17 pts.

Carlsen 7’0 220 lbs 35% 3 pt. 7 rebounds 17 pts. Similar stats and similar size. Similar ball skills. Holmgren looks like he has a bigger reach and shot blocking ability and can drive to basket a little better but nothing stood out as far as ath…[Read more]

I agree Miami. Madsen can shoot with best. He would get destroyed in the pick in role. Doesn’t have the length or size to guard bigger players. Carlsen interesting size and can shoot. Holmgren has similar skill set and is playing good. Smith reminds me a little of Sexton with the Jazz. Keba can’t shoot.

All four could be considered prospects. Gre…[Read more]

I disagree. With the hair and headband he would look good on the end of any bench in the NBA. Kidding of course. Defending the perimeter might be a challenge. NBA much more physical than college. Although Holmgren is proving us wrong. His thighs are smaller than Kebas calves!! Carlsen has similar skill sets.

Carlsen checks all the NBA boxes with the exception of physical strength. I hope he gets a chance. He has not been highly rated in the past. Glad he came back. He has great athleticism and ball skills for his size.🤞

Homer that was one of my favorite Ute basketball teams of all time. No three point shot or Ticky would have averaged 5 or 6 more points a game.

Remember they played in the NIT final four at Madison Square garden. A reporter asked the Utah coach in the arena before the game how high Sojourner could jump? Coach said need any light bulbs changed.…[Read more]

Yerg I agree with your height evaluation.i would rather have a long athletic 6’8 guy that can defend the perimeter and get offensive rebounds than a 7’ guy that can’t move or jump. Keba checks those boxes for sure and then some.

The question was draft prospect. The old NBA post up days are gone for now. It’s about spreading the floor and shootin…[Read more]

Keba reminds me of Mike Sogourner that played in the early 70’s. Very similar size and game. He got drafted in the first round and played three years with the Hawks. He couldn’t shoot either and was a little under sized at the time. Shot blocker and rebounder could jump out of the gym.

NBA is different now. No three point shot back then. Now you…[Read more]

I wear my Utah gear everywhere but at a game ( any sport ) where Utah is not playing. I’m a packers fan but went to a few Charger games in San Diego with a friend who had season tickets. I bought a charger hat and t shirt out of respect.

Last year I went to Utah State BB game with the PA announcer for the Aggies. We went golfing before the g…[Read more]

I agree Rick. Teams have gotten more and more athletic the past 5 years. Being able to switch on the pick and rolls and guard multiple positions. Also getting turnovers and offensive rebounds for easy baskets. This team reminds me of a Majerus team. Picking up an athletic wing should have been a priority to go with Smith.

Carlson and Madsen have…[Read more]

I agree ghost. They just can’t get over the hump on the road. Their lack of athleticism shows more on the road ( defense ). Unable to get stops at the end of games. D Smith helps us offensively and defensively.

Coach Smith needs to get his rotation and players roles figured out. We have the pieces to be better. D. Smith changes Wosters role. S…[Read more]

If we get Bridges our WR room will be solid. With speedy new RB and Bernard catching passes out of the backfield we should be able to spread the field with speed. I’ll take that over 3 yards and a cloud of dust any day. Rising wouldn’t have to run as much just get it to the playmakers. Ludwig should be in offensive heaven with those weapons.