The Runnin’ Utes are limping into their Pac-12 match matchup with Stanford.
Craig Smith’s squad has misplaced 5 straight, and 7 of their final 10, as accidents mounted late within the season.
However a win over the Cardinal may simply give the Utes’ some postseason life.
The prevailing notion within the NIT bracketology world is that Utah could be very a lot on the bubble, hovering between a 7-seed and out of the sector of 32 totally. The one factor everybody appears to agree on, although, is that the Utes must beat Stanford to stay within the dialog.
Profitable that first-round sport on Wednesday evening could be one other Quadrant 2 victory, which might put Utah’s resume in higher form. However nonetheless, it’s a matter of what number of NIT computerized bids are utilized by low and mid-major No. 1 seeds that misplaced in convention tournaments. As of Monday night, six auto bids had been out, which is loads, and extra are anticipated as Champ Week rolls on.
If Utah loses to the Cardinal, that may be eight losses in 10 video games and a brutal ending to what has largely been an optimistic second season underneath Craig Smith. At that time, hindsight is 20/20 and followers will surprise what might need been if Gabe Madsen and Rollie Worster had been wholesome the entire means. Would Utah win at Arizona State? May the Utes have scored a victory over the USC Trojans on the Huntsman Middle?
However alas, that is the truth the Utes face.
Smith, for what it’s value, has mentioned his staff would settle for an NIT invite if it obtained one, regardless of numerous damage considerations.
watch
Stanford Cardinal (13-18, 7-13 Pac-12) vs. Utah Utes (17-14, 10-10 Pac-12)
Tipoff: Wednesday, 7 p.m. MT
The place: T-Cellular Area, Las Vegas
TV: Pac-12 Networks
BOTTOM LINE: The Utes have gone 10-10 towards Pac-12 opponents, with a 7-4 file in non-conference play. Utah is fifth within the Pac-12 with 9.2 offensive rebounds per sport led by Marco Anthony averaging 2.4. … The Cardinal are 7-13 towards Pac-12 groups. Stanford is second within the Pac-12 with 14.6 assists per sport led by Ingram Harrison averaging 3.7.
TOP PERFORMERS: Gabe Madsen is capturing 37.3% from past the arc with 2.5 made 3-pointers per sport for the Utes, whereas averaging 11.5 factors. Branden Carlson is averaging 15.6 factors, seven rebounds and 1.7 blocks over the past 10 video games for Utah. … Maxime Raynaud is averaging 8.8 factors and 6 rebounds for the Cardinal. Spencer Jones is averaging 15.1 factors over the past 10 video games for Stanford.