Utes and Zags will ring out 2007
Utah meets Gonzaga today at 6 p.m. MST at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
Ute coach Jim Boylen said last week that he's trying to get the Utah-Gonzaga game to be an annual New Year's Eve affair. The Utes and Bulldogs are scheduled to play next year at the Huntsman Center on Dec. 31.
"I think it's great," he said. "It's great for basketball, it's great for families to have something to do on New Year's Eve. We're hoping to get this as a standing series where it's something we can do every year."
The fact that Gonzaga is a perennial Top 25 program doesn't scare off Boylen.
"It's a great game for us," he said. "They are a quality program, a top 20 program. It sets up as a good rivalry. We're not to where they are yet as a top 20 program, but we'd like to get there. It's a great opportunity for us."
The Bulldogs started the season ranked No. 14 and stayed in the top 25 until recent back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Tennessee. They are 9-4 on the season and starting to get back to full strength after being without some of their top players.
Steven Gray, a 6-4 freshman guard, has played just three games after suffering a broken wrist.
Matt Bouldin, a 6-5 sophomore guard, sat out a game with an injury but leads the team with a 13.3 average and is coming off a 21-point performance against Tennessee.
Other top players for the Zags are Jeremy Pargo, who averages 12.5 points per game, Austin Daye (11.8 ppg), Micah Downs (9.8 ppg) and David Pendergraft (9.2 ppg).
"I have a lot or respect for (coach Few), and I think he's one of the best offensive coaches in the country," said Boylen. "It's very intimidating to watch them on film. They're going to put a lot of pressure on our defense. They've got length talent and versatile guys and now they've got depth, so look out. They're going to be tough."
The Utes will be without sophomore Kim Tillie, who is the first frontcourt reserve for the Utes. He suffered a stress fracture of his right leg last week and is expected to be out four to six weeks.
"This is a game where Kim Tillie would have been very valuable," said Boylen.
With Tillie out, the Utes will rely on 6-9 freshman Morgan Grim to be the backup to center Luke Nevill and forward Shaun Green. Players such as Stephen Weigh and Carlon Brown may be forced to play the big forward spot with Tillie out.
Recent comments
Its on FSN, but my tv schedule shows the Jazz game will be on FSN...
Need Help Quick | Dec. 31, 2007 at 4:09 p.m.
I'm looking forward to what should be a good game. It may be...
Accraute | Dec. 31, 2007 at 12:50 p.m.
I like to see this type of scheduling by MWC teams. Go Utes!
wii | Dec. 31, 2007 at 10:40 a.m.
