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Don’t sleep on Utah. I’ve been preaching it this whole tournament and only now are people finally starting to believe me. Some people may claim that I’m just another person hopping on the Utes’ bandwagon, but I was sold on Utah long before I saw them upset-third seeded Oklahoma in the second round of this year’s NCAA Tournament. I’m so confident in the Utes that I picked them to advance to the Final Four in St. Louis in all three of my brackets. Now that, my friend is confidence. So what would make a person so confident in a six seeded team from the Mountain West Conference?
Well, there of course is a reason, a very big reason; a 7-foot, 240 pound reason.
Andrew Bogut is a name that not too many people were familiar with until he made his mark in Utah’s upset over the third-seeded Oklahoma Sooner's in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma spent all their time trying to double team Utah’s all-universe center and boy did the Australian punish them for it. Even though the Sooner’s limited Bogut to a season-low 10 points, he showed off his multi-faceted game in dishing out 7 assists and corralling 11 rebounds. His deft passing ability opened up things for guard Justin Hawkins, who poured in 20 points for the Utes in their 67-58 victory over the Sooner’s. The win proved Bogut’s ability to make his teammates around him better and also showed that this Utah team is no one man show. If you key in on the Australian, he’ll allow his teammates to beat you with his passing ability. Oklahoma’s head coach Kelvin Sampson voiced the same opinion about the All-American center, “There aren’t any seven-footers that are as versatile as he is and can beat you in the ways he does. Most guys just score around the basket. Typically, if you push them away from the basket or double them, you can beat them that way. If you double Bogut, he’s going to hurt you.”
So who’s next up for the all-around Aussie and his Utes? They earned a rematch with their nemesis in the NCAA Tournament, the Kentucky Wildcats. Since 1993, the Utes have lost all 5 of their match ups with Kentucky, including the national championship game in 1998. What gives me reason to think this year will be any different? You know exactly what that reason is, the seven-foot wonder from the land down under, Andrew Bogut.
Ever since setting foot on campus in Salt Lake City, the versatile center has shown his remarkable blend of shooting touch, passing ability, and the ability to play defense. Last year as a freshman, he nearly averaged a double-double, averaging 12.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game en route to garnering Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors.
Nowhere to be found on any of this year’s pre-season All-America lists, the shaggy-haired sophomore racked up more votes than any other player in the country on the AP All-America ballot, recording 60 of 72 first place votes on the ballot. He’s blossomed under first year head coach Ray Giacolleti’s offense, dropping in 20.4 points per game while snagging 12.4 rebounds per contest. That’s not even mentioning the 2.4 assists he dishes out per game, or the 1.9 blocks that he sends into the seats. Did I also mention that the 7-footer who shooter an eye-gouging 62.9 percent from the floor? Now you’re starting to see why I’m so high on the Utes and now you’re starting to see why Andrew Bogut’s NBA stock is rising faster than you can say: “Let’s put another shrimp on the Barbie!”
As the Utes surprising run towards St. Louis continues, Andrew Bogut’s stock will only continue to rise. Although it’s tough to rise any higher, because many people have tabbed the Aussie as the number one overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, if he decides to enter it.
Bogut still must figure out how to guide his Utes past a pesky Kentucky team. The Wildcat’s freshman guard Rajon Rando has been a thief all season long, stealing a school record 2.6 steals per game. Rando helped the Wildcats lead the SEC in steals and turnover margin this season, a key part of Kentucky’s success this year. That’s not good news for Bogut and company, especially after they turned the ball over 21 times in their second round victory over Oklahoma. “We have to handle their pressure,” Utah’s Andrew Bogut said. Clearly that will be a key to this game. Another key will no doubt be Bogut’s ability to once again find open teammates for baskets. He’ll likely be double teamed by Chuck Hayes and others in the post, so if the shots aren’t falling for Bogut’s teammates, the Utes could be in trouble. My third and final key for this game will come down to Utah’s ability to limit shooting guard Patrick Spark’s open looks at the basket. He’s one of the best shooters in the country from beyond-the-arc and could torch the Utes in no time if they allow him to. He averages 37.5 percent from downtown and the Wildcats are 19-0 when Sparks has made two three-pointers or more this season. When he’s made less than two three-pointers, Kentucky only has an 8-5 record. If the Utes can contain Sparks, that will play a huge role in lifting them to victory.
I think this year will finally be the year that the Utes finally beat Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament and Andrew Bogut will be the difference-maker for them, as he has been for the past two seasons. He’s simply too versatile and makes his teammates better and better every game. The seven foot wonder will finally be getting some of the recognition that he has deserved since his freshman year as the Utes will continue their march to St. Louis on his shoulders. The Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans better take notice, because the road to the archway runs through Andrew Bogut.
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