Utah Utes basketball: Utes aim to atone for their bumpy season

LAS VEGAS — When you're 14-16 and near the end of an inconsistent, roller-coaster season, there's only one way to approach a conference tournament — as a brand new season with a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament.

That's the theme for the Utah basketball team, which opens play in the Mountain West Conference Tournament tonight at 9:30 against UNLV at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Utes have been up and down all season — up with victories over Utah State, Illinois, Michigan and UNLV — and down, with losses to Idaho, Seattle, Pepperdine and Wyoming. The Utes have never won more than three straight or lost more than three in a row and have suffered through injuries this season.

However, the Utes are focusing on this week and trying to forget about the last three months.

"We're starting over again; it's a new season," said Ute coach Jim Boylen. "I'm excited, and our team is excited."

"We are starting from zero," added senior guard Luka Drca. "We have a new life. Everybody's practicing hard and looking forward to the tournament."

"Everybody has a chance," said Carlon Brown. "This gives those teams that don't have the best record hope. It's a new life and a whole different opportunity to prove to ourselves that we can win three games and hopefully get to the (NCAA) tournament."

It would seem the Utes have little chance tonight against a UNLV team that is 23-7, playing on its home floor and considered a near-lock for the NCAA Tournament.

However, the Utes have the hope Brown talked about, based on several reasons.

They know the drill. Last year, the Utes swept through the MWC Tournament, winning three games in three days over TCU, Wyoming and San Diego State.

Been there, done that. The Utes know what it takes to defeat UNLV on its homecourt, having won at the Thomas & Mack Center in January, 73-69. BYU couldn't do it, San Diego State couldn't do it, but the Utes did. In fact, the Utes are 5-3 under Boylen in the Thomas & Mack Arena, counting tournament games.

They're the No. 6 seed. No. 6 seeds have won five straight first-round games at the MWC Tournament. In 2002, sixth-seeded Colorado State won the MWC tourney and grabbed the automatic NCAA berth.

The Utes' chances could hinge on the health of center David Foster and forward Kim Tillie, who are both hobbling with sprained ankles. Tillie's is more recent and worse, so he may be less likely to play, although because it may be his final game at Utah, he may try to play.