Utah beat Weber State 86-46 Thursday 11/7 in Salt Lake. Fifth-year senior post Mayè Tourè, a transfer from Rhode Island, led all scorers with 22, and was one of five players with a game-high 5 rebounds.
The Utes led 47-14 at halftime, after the Wildcats shot 6-for-22. Weber St. made 26 turnovers leading to 38 Utah points, and a +33 differential in points after turnovers.
Utah looked worse Thursday than they did Monday vs. Southern Utah, and I’m glad. There were stretches on opening day when the Utes looked so good, they gave an impression of possibly peaking before Christmas.
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I wrote that seven days ago — today is game day in Evanston, Ill., at Northwestern. I thought I’d talk to Coach Roberts, but I’m busier than I want to be. Not fully moved into the new place — bed is built, mattress should arrive tomorrow, cardboard and packing material everywhere — plus another chess companionship for which to write bulletins, stuff chess classes that pay me, and three that don’t.
It’s the right kind of busy, but it cuts into basketball. Besides our two games, I haven’t seen anyone play for 40 minutes, though two BYU games probably made 40 minutes in aggregate.
I thought the Big 12 was overdoing it by taking in Brigham Young, but the Cougars are very good. So good that they don’t have to rely too heavily on Utah/California transfer Kemery Congdon (née Martin) for outside shooting.
I must’ve been wrong about #15 feeling more at home in the Bohemian metropolis that is Cal Berkeley, because there she is, back in the state of Utah.
One of the BYU freshmen made an indelible hustle play, and I thought I’d remember her name (another ability I had when young that I ought to stop trying to use). She dove for a loose ball, slid the last 10 feet, knocking the ball deeper into the backcourt, and didn’t quite scramble to her feet, but got enough of her legs into another dive. The BYU broadcast team said she’s one of Coach Judkins’ recruits, but he’s been in Salt Lake for two years, or three?
We tipoff at Northwestern in an hour, halfway through my chess class. The kids won’t notice if I stop paying attention, but the other chess teacher might.