Utah Utes basketball: Utes coming up short when it matters most

Utah coaches and players aren't saying it, but the fact is, the team is "this close" to being 10-1 rather than 6-5 this season.

But a trend of losing close games, which has been going on for three years now, has left the Utes with a mediocre record and chances of making it to the NCAA Tournament dimmer by the day.

The Utes have lost games by one, two, three and four points this year, leaving them 6-16 in games decided by five or fewer points over the last three seasons.

In Ray Giacoletti's last year, the Utes were 4-8 in games decided by five points or less and 2-4 in such games last year, not counting two overtime losses.

The Utes had little chance to win the game at No. 5 Oklahoma, but each of the other four losses came down to the final 10 seconds, where the Utes had a chance to win or tie.

Against Southwest Baptist, Lawrence Borha's drive to the basket with three seconds left was unsuccessful, leaving the Utes with a one-point loss.

Against Idaho State, Borha's 3-pointer with just under 10 seconds left could have tied the game and the Utes lost by four.

Against Cal, the Bears sank a 3-pointer with six seconds left and the Utes couldn't tie it on Tyler Kepkay's long three.

Finally there was Monday night's loss on a tip-in with 0.1 seconds left (not 1.0 as some people thought), giving the Utes virtually no chance to get off a tying or winning shot.

Coach Jim Boylen tries not to make excuses, but the fact that his team is in every game gives him hope for the remainder of the season.

"I've said all along we've got a good basketball team," he said. "I like my team, we're going to get better and keep growing."

They just need to figure out a way to start winning the close ones.

FRIENDLY TALK: Boylen sometimes chooses when and when not to answer questions after tough losses like Monday's in Logan. He was totally silent when first asked about the tough ending to the loss and later when asked if he was OK with the way the officials resolved the final seconds, he said, "no comment."

However, when asked about an exchange of words he and USU coach Stew Morrill had late in the first half, where they jawed face to face for a few seconds, he had this explanation with a straight face.

"I said, 'We had a hell of a storm coming up here today,' and he said, 'I'm glad you guys made it in.'"