Top 10 2008: Utes' Sugar Bowl run is year's top local sports story

Like BYU's basketball team, the Jazz had high hopes last year heading into the playoffs with a huge homecourt edge and another Northwest Division title banner to hang. Continuing their deja vu spring, the Jazz even had to meet and beat the Houston Rockets in the first round. Unfortunately for the Jazz, the Lakers waltzed into town in the second round — you might've noticed by all the booing of Public Enemy No. 1 and Derek Fisher's teammate, Kobe Bryant — and proved they were not the Golden State Warriors. Much to the chagrin of L.A.-hatin' Jazz fans, Phil Jackson's club ruined Utah's postseason celebrations again.

Andrei Kirilenko did, however, get his family's vacation paperwork taken care of, so the Jazz did have some lasting success during that series.

10. Weber State football: Coach McBride has 'Cats playing great

They not only chanted it, WSU faithful believed their cheer this past fall. Indeed, Weber State was "great, great, great!" OK, maybe not in the regular-season finale at home against Eastern Washington, but their march through the Big Sky Conference — including a win over Montana in the season — made the Wildcats and coach Ron McBride the toast of the town.

Weber State even — imagine this — had a chance to win a national championship by earning a spot in the 16-team playoffs. Seriously. No bowl about it. The Wildcats continued to captivate football fans statewide after beating Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, Calif.

The fun run for the former Utah coach and his team ended in the Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinals at Montana earlier this month. Almost makes you forget about the program getting put on minor probation in the spring, doesn't it?

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