Utah
There’s nothing good about what’s happened to the Pac-12 after this season, but it’s fair to say that the conference isn’t producing good basketball. These Utes have been on exception for much of this season, hoping to return to the NCAA Tournament an 8-year absence, but it’s not exactly been easy.
Their NET is 35, but all three of their Quad 1 wins came in nonconference play, with wins over Wake Forest, Saint Mary’s and BYU. After a nice start to conference play, Utah has been struggling against their Pac-12 foes. They enter the weekend having lost three of four and six of their last ten, including a triple overtime thriller on Thursday night against Arizona.
These Utes need to put that performance out of their minds, because they cannot be upset by Arizona State for a second time. They’ll host those Sun Devils on Saturday night, needing to win and get themselves back on track. Their last three losses in Pac-12 play have all been Quad 1 opportunities but this resume cannot afford another Quad 3 loss to Arizona State. Lament what could’ve been against the Wildcats, but don’t let things snowball in Salt Lake City.