This is what I love about covering sports here in Utah. There's never really a down time. Now that the Utes and Cougars have wrapped up their football seasons, it's time to squarely focus our attentions on basketball.
Some sports fans think basketball season doesn't even start until football season is over. Well, if you haven't been paying attention, there is some great basketball being played in the state of Utah.
First off, the Jazz are on a tear, and they sure don't seem like they've come even remotely close to reaching their potential. The team's slow starts haven't really doomed them yet, thanks to their amazing proficiency for fantastic finishes. This team is only going to get better, and the result just may be the highest playoff seed they've had in over a decade.
Jimmer Fredette could very well be the best college basketball player BYU has had since Danny Ainge. Fredette has lived up to all the preseason hype in leading the 14th-ranked Cougars to a 14-1 start. The Cougars finally ended their 17-year NCAA Tournament drought with a victory last year. This March, the Cougars could be poised for a run to the Sweet 16.
The new-look Runnin' Utes got off to a 7-3 start, but their Christmas holiday was disastrous, and they head into Mountain West play on a 4-game losing streak. But we've seen this young team show tremendous heart, and with a skilled scorer like Will Clyburn leading the way, the Utes are bound to shock some of the elite teams of the Mountain West Conference.
Utah State is off to its typical fast start. The Aggies should roll their way to the WAC title, but they'll be judged by how they do in the Big Dance. With a balanced attack led by Tai Wesley, the Aggies may get a high enough seed to finally make it into the 2nd round.
We haven't even touched on the great talent in high school hoops around the state. So yes, basketball has taken over the state of Utah. It's time to take notice. This could be a magical year for several local teams.
