This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Entering today's slate of games in the Pac-12, Utah faced the possibility of playing either Stanford, UCLA or Colorado in the first round of the conference tournament next week in Los Angeles.
Stanford is the only of those teams the Utes (6-23, 3-14 Pac-12) have beaten this season and seem to present the most favorable amtchup. But before the Cardinal even had a chance to play, it was eliminated from the discussion.
By virtue of UCLA's 75-69 win over first-place Washington, Stanford can not catch the Bruins. UCLA improved to 11-7 in Pac-12 games, meaning now Colorado controls its own destiny. If the Buffaloes (19-10, 11-6) win at Oregon State today — in a game taht tipped off at 2 p.m. MT — they will hold on to the No. 5 seed and play No. 12 UCLA on Wednesday at Staples Center. Lose to the Beavers, and the Utes and Buffs will play for the third time this season.
That game can be tracked here.
— Bill Oram