It's sunny, clear and dry in Salt Lake City today. But that's not the case in our sister city. Denver is socked in by an impressive snowstorm that is preventing the Oregon Ducks from flying in and, so far, the Oregon State Beavers from getting out.
According to The Oregonian's Lindsay Schnell, the Ducks will try to fly out tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. Meanwhile, they will practice once again in Salt Lake City in preparation for tomorrow scheduled game at Colorado. The Utes, too, have a stake in this. Utah is scheduled to play Oregon State tomorrow at 3 p.m.
A Utah spokesman said nothing has changed regarding Saturday's game, but that he did not know when the Beavers would arrive.
When they do, the Utes will be looking to rebound from what you might call a "good loss" to the Ducks Thursday night. Utah got a tremendous performance from freshman point guard Kareem Storey (10 points, 11 assists, 1 turnover in 40 minutes) and led for much of the game before running out of steam. That's not to say that anyone was satisfied that the Utes lost, but considering some of this team's recent performances, the fact that they were in control for much of the game left coach Larry Krystkowiak feeling better about things.
Writing for The Oregonian, out own Lya Wodraska breaks down how the Ducks rallied to win, while the Eugene Register-Guard gives the credit to Carlos Emory, who finished with 14 points after missing the first half due to a team suspension.
Elsewhere last night...
Colorado 82, Oregon State 60 • Still trying to figure out this Oregon State team? I give up. Anyhow, the Buffs have held serve at home all season, yet to lose a conference game at the Coors Events Center. The Buffs got 16 points and 15 rebounds from Andre Roberson, as the Beavers three-game winning streak came to an end.
Washington 71, UCLA 69 • Terrence Ross scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half, as the Huskies emerged from the night alone in first place in the Pac-12. The Bruins led by 10 late in the game, but scored just three points in the final 12 minutes.
Washington State 60, USC 53 • After earning their first Pac-12 win last week against the Utes, USC couldn't add another. Brock Motum exploded for 26 points and eight rebounds.
Arizona 78, Cal 74 • Well, that's an upset. The Wildcats have struggled throughout the season, but hung tough in Berkeley behind Kyle Fogg's 23 points to knock the Golden Bears out of first place. Backup point guard Jordin Mayes may be out for the season, however, after reinjuring the foot he broke last summer. It was Cal's first home loss in 15 games.
Stanford 68, Arizona State 44 • After rallying from an early 14-9 deficit, Stanford was never challenged by Arizona State, which is still without injured guard Trent Lockett. As a team, the Sun Devils tallied just four assists. Center Jordan Bachynski, whose brother Dallin will play for the Utes next year, led the Sun Devils with 20 points.
— Bill Oram
