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Oregon State (11-4, 2-2) at Utah (12-5, 1-3) / Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT / 6:30 PM MST (5:30 PM PST) / ESPNU / KEJO 1240 AM / KEX 1190 AM
Oregon State makes their second trip in a week to the intermounatin region, taking on Utah tonight in Salt Lake City. The Beavers lost 71-54 to the Buffs in Boulder Wednesday night, and flew back home Thursday morning, before flying back to Salt Lake City yesterday.
The Beavers were essentially a 1 man show at Colorado, as Gary Payton II did his best to carry the team, going for a career high and game high 26 points, and a season best and game high 15 rebounds, but Stevie Thompson's 10 points was the only other Beaver total even close to double digits.
The more experienced Buffs got better balance, and out boarded, out shot, and out defended the Beavers, who, except for Payton, looked at a loss much of the evening.
Utah was unbeaten at home until Oregon went into Huntsman Thursday night and took a 77-59 win. The Ducks flew out to an 8-0 lead and the Utes were never able to catchup in their conference home opener. Only Brandon Taylor was able to even crack into double digits for Utah, with just 12 points. Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks made 10 of 16 shots, for 21 points, to lead an Oregon attack that shot 55% from the field, while Utah struggled, shooting under 34%.
Picked in the preseason to finish near the top of the Pac pack, the Utes have lost 3 of their first 4 conference contests, with only a 2 point win over Colorado in Boulder on a last second layup to the good.
Based on those games, this one probably goes to the first team that can find any measure of shooting accuracy and scoring balance.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com