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Utah Utes women's basketball: Final blow — Record-breaking season ends with loss to Purdue
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j.k. | 5:01 a.m. March 24, 2008
Yikes. I didn't know Utah had to play Purdue on their home court. Is that
fair? Oh, well. Still a nice season for the Utes. Too bad the MWC can't
hold up to some of these other conferences.
Morgan Scalleywag | 5:22 a.m. March 24, 2008
Wasn't it just last week that the Ute women were whining that they deserved
a higher seed in the tourney despite having just lost to CSU (3-27) in the MWC
tournament? Let this be a lesson to all teams (BYU's men included) to just
keep their mouths closed about their NCAA seeds and prove the naysayers wrong on
the court rather than in the media. Purdue's women and TX A&M's
men certainly read all about how their first round opponents felt slighted and
deserving of better matchups than what they got, and bot Purdue and TXA&M
took advantage of that lack of focus and bested the whiners on the court.
CHampionships are not handed out based on dominating the MWC. They are earned
on neutral floors against whomever you are paired against. focusing on what
seed you didn't get is a sure recipe for a humbling, and deserved, defeat.
Scotty | 6:57 a.m. March 24, 2008
Isn't the NCAA Tournament great!? Every team goes home a loser, except
one.
Comments continue below
Re: Neutral Courts | 6:55 a.m. March 24, 2008
Tournament championships earned on neutral courts, hmmm, what a novel idea...
Congrats to the Utah Women on a great season!
btw, I wouldn't put too much stock in an 8th seed being expected to beat a 9th seed. Historically, at least on the men's side, the 8th seeds have a losing record against the 9th seeds.
Congrats to the Utah Women on a great season!
btw, I wouldn't put too much stock in an 8th seed being expected to beat a 9th seed. Historically, at least on the men's side, the 8th seeds have a losing record against the 9th seeds.
Gretzky | 7:09 a.m. March 24, 2008
this is not the same ute women's team i saw clobber the Y women at the Big
MAC. wow. sad. disappointing. did the utes just play in a terrible conference?
high altitude sickness must have caught up with them or something. too bad. they
played so well for so long i just assumed they would make it to the sweet 16.
Rob | 7:37 a.m. March 24, 2008
When all is said and done, the Lady Utes went flat for about 5 minutes that took
the game out of reach for them. I do think the home court advantage that the
Purdue Ladies had certainly helped them out. It's time the women's
tournament goes to a nuetral floor like the men's games do.
BOISE COUG | 8:24 a.m. March 24, 2008
IT'S ROUGH TO SEE THE UTE WOMEN LOSE, THEY GOT A HORRIBLE SEED GOING INTO
THE TOURNAMENT. BUT WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE SPORTS NATION HAS ABSOLUTELY NO
RESPECT FOR ANY TEAM, IN ANY SPORT IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE. MAYBE
IT'S BECAUSE NOBODY CAN WATCH US, HOPEFULLY THIS DIRECT TV DEAL WILL START
TO SWING THINGS IN OUR DIRECTION.
Non-believer | 9:03 a.m. March 24, 2008
Guess the loss to Colorado wasn't just a fluke after all. Great year. Too
bad they had to end the year like crybabies. Bad seed, poor refs, etc. If you
are a champion you win regardless of where you play, if you don't, you
whine.
MadMax | 9:15 a.m. March 24, 2008
It woud be great if games were played on a neutral court. The Utes lost to
Perdue, a lower seed, on their home court. That is patently unfair. The Utes
were at a gross disadvantage. I beleive they were unfairly dealt with in the
seedings too. As an undefeated conference champ having won 27 games and ranked
# 17 in the season ending poll they deserved better than a # 8 seed. Having
said that, the Ute Women did not play their usual game and it cost them a
defeat. The way to demonstrate that the NCAA is wrong is to go out and prove it
by winning regardless of where or who you play. It seems that with rare
exceptions (mostly from Utah Men) the MWC cannot do that so we continue to get
poor seeds that result in losses. The MWC is really a small pond and big fish
from a small pond get eaten by big fish from larger ponds regularly. That is
sad.
GO UTES!
GO UTES!
BigPimpUtah | 9:31 a.m. March 24, 2008
If the women's basketball games were on a neutral court, then attendance
would be low. Would anyone in Utah go to see a Georgia vs. UTEP women's
bball game at the ESA? It wouldn't even fill a high school gym. At least by
playing on one team's home court, there's a crowd available to be
shown on ESPN cameras.
Hate to see the Lady Utes lose this one. How cool would it have been to see them take on the mighty U of Tenn?
Hate to see the Lady Utes lose this one. How cool would it have been to see them take on the mighty U of Tenn?
Outside Looking In | 9:42 a.m. March 24, 2008
We deserve respect! respect! respect! That's all we hear from the biggest
little fish of the little MWC pond... Then they get thrown into the ocean (any
conference bigger than the MWC) and get eaten. Well, until they can swim in the
ocean with the big fish, don't expect to get any respect from anyone
outside of the MWC.
Utah, BYU (men)... be happy in your little pond.
Utah, BYU (men)... be happy in your little pond.
BYU Cougar Fan | 10:08 a.m. March 24, 2008
The Ute women got hosed. Props to Elaine Elliot and her staff. I think she
could compete with UCONN & Tennessee if she were to coach in a bigger
conference. I hope she stays put.
ksmith | 11:08 a.m. March 24, 2008
The seeds are correct.
DH | 11:24 a.m. March 24, 2008
The Mountain West is too weak to adequately prepare teams to play the bigger
conferences. These local kids we get excited about at recruiting time appear
great against the local mediocre talent but put them up against truly athletic
people and they fold pretty quickly.
Enjoy entertaining teams that play well at home and quit worrying about these tournament and BCS games.
Enjoy entertaining teams that play well at home and quit worrying about these tournament and BCS games.
Morgan Scalleywag | 12:13 p.m. March 24, 2008
BigPimpUtah was right, no one would attend the womens' games on neutral
floors. That being said, the higher seed should have homecourt advantage, but
really, that is still a lame excuse for whining about the seeding and being
beaten on the court by a lower seed. At some point a team just has to keep its
mouth closed and prove it dserves better by winning no matter where the game is
played. When the Ute ladies reach that point, they will be on their way to real
success.
RE: morgan scalleywag | 12:57 p.m. March 24, 2008
Obviously you don't pay much attention to what you think you know a lot
about. utah's players, coach, etc. were all whining about the seeding and
the injustice of it all, BYU's coaches and players never complained about
it. They were repeatedly quoted as being happy to be where they were. It was
just BYU fans griping about it, and I really don't think that Texas
A&Ms team was reading the DNEWS Blog section to see what the Cougar fans
were saying.
Unfortunately neither school was able to put up, so the fans from BYU, and the coaches, players and fans from utah should now just 'shut up'.
And to madmax- your initial comments are exactly what BYU fans were saying after the conference tournament as they lost to a lower seed on their home court. It's funny, as the ute fans (actually just BYU haters), were silencing these fans and telling them to quit whining, but now it's ok for ute fans to use the same arguments. How hypocritical of the ute fans once again. (And you wonder why very few people like the utes- as evidenced by smaller stadiums, and much smaller crowds).
Unfortunately neither school was able to put up, so the fans from BYU, and the coaches, players and fans from utah should now just 'shut up'.
And to madmax- your initial comments are exactly what BYU fans were saying after the conference tournament as they lost to a lower seed on their home court. It's funny, as the ute fans (actually just BYU haters), were silencing these fans and telling them to quit whining, but now it's ok for ute fans to use the same arguments. How hypocritical of the ute fans once again. (And you wonder why very few people like the utes- as evidenced by smaller stadiums, and much smaller crowds).
Tourney Junkie | 1:04 p.m. March 24, 2008
The '08 Lady Utes join the '04 USU men's team atop the list of
biggest snubs by selection committees. The '04 USU men stand as the team
with the best record not to get invited to the tourney. (They were 25-3, 0.893
winning percentage. In '92 UNLV was 26-2 and not invited - but they were
ineligible for postseason play. College of Charleston men were 24-3, 0.889, when
snubbed in 1996.) The thing about '04 USU and this year's Lady Utes
is, as mentioned in previous comments, they did not go out and prove the
selection committees wrong. USU went on to lose in the first round of the NIT
and, of course, the Lady Utes lost to Purdue Sunday, granted on Purdue's
home court. The first round losses just prove the committees right and the Utah
teams' claims get no respect or public sympathy. If you feel you have been
snubbed, you need to keep your mouth shut and prove your point on the court.
OVER RATED!!! | 1:14 p.m. March 24, 2008
Obviously utah was really lucky during the season and played at its true level
at the end of the season to finsih by losing to CSU and then they were spanked
by Perdue. The truth is that utah isn't a good school and they have a poor
sports program.
Over Rated? | 2:11 p.m. March 24, 2008
To Over rated,
According to your logic then, BYU men were also over rated, finishing the season at their "true level" getting spanked by UNLV and losing to A&M. That doesn't say alot about BYU's program either.
According to your logic then, BYU men were also over rated, finishing the season at their "true level" getting spanked by UNLV and losing to A&M. That doesn't say alot about BYU's program either.
Childish | 2:37 p.m. March 24, 2008
The Utah women and BYU men both had great seasons with disappointing finishes.
The counterparts of both schools would have been thrilled to have enjoyed the
success of their rivals.
Neither team was over-rated. Both teams deserved better seeds in the NCAA tourney, although, the Utah women have more of a reason to be disappointed their seed.
Short-sighted fans making ridiculous claims of being over-rated or trying to belittle the great success of either team are childishly trying to make themselves feel better by tearing down the true accomplishments of the opposition.
Utah lost to the Big 10 Tournament Champion on their home court. BYU lost to a Big 12 team that had been ranked in the top 10 for much of the season and narrowly lost to two No.1 seeds by 6 and 4 points respectively to end their season.
Utah and BYU both suffered disappointing losses to end the season, but no unbiased observer could rightly call either loss embarrassing.
Congratulations to both teams on great seasons!
Neither team was over-rated. Both teams deserved better seeds in the NCAA tourney, although, the Utah women have more of a reason to be disappointed their seed.
Short-sighted fans making ridiculous claims of being over-rated or trying to belittle the great success of either team are childishly trying to make themselves feel better by tearing down the true accomplishments of the opposition.
Utah lost to the Big 10 Tournament Champion on their home court. BYU lost to a Big 12 team that had been ranked in the top 10 for much of the season and narrowly lost to two No.1 seeds by 6 and 4 points respectively to end their season.
Utah and BYU both suffered disappointing losses to end the season, but no unbiased observer could rightly call either loss embarrassing.
Congratulations to both teams on great seasons!
CTR | 3:24 p.m. March 24, 2008
I'll bet 90 percent of the people commenting on this site knew nothing
about the Utes team until they lost to Purdue. Thats really sad considering this
team, along with so many of Elaine Elliots teams have been great. This years
team has been one of the funnest teams to watch play. Not only were they a great
team, they really had fun playing the game. It is really sad that it has ended
this way, but to those who want to sit and bash on a team they really know
nothing about is just sick and wrong. The saddest part about all of this is that
people who live in Utah just don't support womens teams. BYU fans keep
saying "Oh well, at least you have the RED ROCKS and Womens
Basketball" like thats a consolation prize. Guess what, there are people
all over america that would love to watch these two teams but never get the
opportunity. They are two of the most successful programs in any sport. Thanks
to Elaine and Greg for giving us so many good years. Go Utes!!!
Outside Looking In | 3:36 p.m. March 24, 2008
BYU and Utah aren't over rated... The Mountain West Conference is what it
is... a weak conference that has an over inflated opinion of itself. And when
they get smacked down by other conference team cry foul! It's the same song
every year in any sport you care to name. Boring...
Greg | 4:21 p.m. March 24, 2008
If this game isn't played on Purdue's home court, the Utes win.
It's that simple.
RE:Overrated by Duckman | 5:10 p.m. March 24, 2008
We get the point.
That is the trash talk that the BYU men's team had to endure on these same blogs.
The trick is to get INTO the dance, then go as deep as you can, depending on the game you play that day.
Great job to both the Utah women's program and the BYU men's program. They made it to the dance. They did it for themselves and not necessarily us the fans.
The ring and the Banner will be something they can show to their children.
NIT and BCI... Sorry, uh-unhhh... Not gonna make it.
BYU Men's and Utah Women's Resume' wiil both incluce NCAA appearances.
How many whiner's on these posts can say the same thing?
Not the Utah or Utah State's mens' programs.
Surely not I.
That is the trash talk that the BYU men's team had to endure on these same blogs.
The trick is to get INTO the dance, then go as deep as you can, depending on the game you play that day.
Great job to both the Utah women's program and the BYU men's program. They made it to the dance. They did it for themselves and not necessarily us the fans.
The ring and the Banner will be something they can show to their children.
NIT and BCI... Sorry, uh-unhhh... Not gonna make it.
BYU Men's and Utah Women's Resume' wiil both incluce NCAA appearances.
How many whiner's on these posts can say the same thing?
Not the Utah or Utah State's mens' programs.
Surely not I.
UTE ALUM | 5:41 p.m. March 24, 2008
GGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!
bo bo | 5:52 p.m. March 24, 2008
how many mid majors have competed in the ncaas like utah,elte 8 ect
HELLO!!! | 6:05 p.m. March 24, 2008
To those of you who seem to know so much about how every year the MWC gets
killed in the NCAA tournament did you not follow the Utah Women to the ELITE 8
two years ago. Little fish big pond, did great. Tournament are all about
brackets. That is why teams work so hard during regular conference seasons.
Have any of you looked deep enough to see Utahs RPI. It was great. The Utes
had a great year and it is to bad that things didn't fall into place for
them come tournament time. Watching student athletes play a sport that they
love with all of their heart will always be rewarding win, lose or draw. GO
UTES!!!
Hello... | 10:37 a.m. March 25, 2008
And the Davidson Wildcats are a perennial basketball powerhouse too...
Elite 8 two years ago was more of a fluk. Biggest Little Fish in a Small pond.
Elite 8 two years ago was more of a fluk. Biggest Little Fish in a Small pond.
Re: fluk | 1:10 p.m. March 25, 2008
Fluk (n): cross between a flamingo and a duck. Also used in reference to fish of
varying sizes.
Re:fluk | 1:48 p.m. March 25, 2008
Should be fluke:
(noun) Unlikely chance of occurrence. A surprising piece of luck.
ex: Utah's appearance in the elite eight two years ago was a fluke.
(noun) Unlikely chance of occurrence. A surprising piece of luck.
ex: Utah's appearance in the elite eight two years ago was a fluke.
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Darron Cummings, Associated Press
Utah's Morgan Warburton, middle, is defended by Purdue's Kalika France, left, and FahKara Malone during Sunday's NCAA game.
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