WITH MANY OF YOU WATCHING THE SB FOR THE COMMERCIALS AS MUCH AS THE GAME HERE IS A PRETTY COOL SERIES FEATURING SEVERAL NFL PLAYERS

AK IS MORE VALUABLE THAN BOOZER:
As you heard first from our Jazz Insider Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune AK underwent surgery Friday morning.  Yes I have not been too kind to AK 47 over the years and who can blame me.  He has complained about wanting to be more involved in the offense, touching the ball more which was his way to say he wanted to shoot more even though he is pretty much the 5th option at best.  He then literally cried about it after a playoff loss and he is getting max money when he’s not a max money guy although Jazz management needs to take a chunk of the blame for giving him that cash. 

So what gives?  Why am I now defending him?  Why is he a bigger loss than Boozer?  Well first off unlike Boozer, I have more respect for the fact that he tried to play with his injury and did everything possible to avoid surgery knowing being out up to four weeks would be detrimental to the team.  Secondly, he is the team’s best defender.  And third who replaces him?  With Boozer you have Millsap who has filled in admirably.  Sure he is not as good offensively but he’s a definite upgrade defensively.  Who replaces AK’s minutes?  It’s going to have to be a combination of Miles, Harpring and Korver.  One man can adequately replace Boozer.  It takes 3+ to fill Ak’s shoes.  And finally it’s in the numbers (Thanks to Derek in the Jazz Media Relations Office for the help)…

JAZZ RECORD WITH AK INJURED:
08-09:  1-7
07-08:  7-3
06-07:  7-5
05-06:  3-10
04-05:  11-30
Jazz Record w/o AK:  29-55 .345

JAZZ RECORD WITH BOOZER INJURED:
08-09: 17-17
07-08: 1-0
06-07: 6-2
05-06: 30-33
04-05: 9-22
Jazz Record w/o Boozer:  63-74 .460

COUPLE OF OTHER INTERESTING NOTES:
-AMONG JAZZ TOP 5 (DWill/Boozer/Memo/Millsap/AK):  When 1 is out the Jazz are18-9…  Two or more out…7-12.
-As of Friday the Jazz have lost 123 man games.  This time last year…28.

THE SUPER BOWL PREDICTION:
I’ll be honest, for the first time in years I am not looking forward to this game.  I fear what my reaction will be (my bet throwing up) when I see the Cardinals take the field knowing that they reached a Super Bowl in my lifetime before ever seeing my Jets in this game.  They were 9-7 in the leagues worst division.  They got two home games in the playoffs when they shouldn’t have gotten one.  Heck, my Jets thrashed them 56-35 earlier this year.  And what kind of message does this send that one of the worst owners in all of sports, with one of the worst franchises in all of sports, can be rewarded in his lifetime with a Super Bowl appearance?! It sucks.  And I hate to say it, this game is going to suck.  As usual due to two weeks of analysis the so-called experts have successfully been able to prop Arizona to the point that people actually think they have a chance to win.  They don’t.  While I am impressed with Kurt Warner and obviously Larry Fitzgerald they are going against one of the best defenses of all-time.  They are going up against a team that actually played and beat other good teams this year.  They are playing a team that will physically beat you up.  The Steelers will crush them early jumping out to a 31-7 lead, only to allow a few late touchdowns to make the game respectable.  STEELERS WIN 31-21…and the Cardinals will be shipped back to their bandwagon jumping fans in the desert to never be heard from again. 

Our Jazz insider Ross Siller broke the news that AK47 will face ankle surgery Friday the 30th. This will leave him out 3 to 4 weeks, we know how that works though, more like 5 to 6 weeks…..

MWC POWER POLL (Last Wk Rank; Overall/MWC Record):
9) AF (#9; 9-10; 0-6): Falcons remain winless after loss Tuesday night in Wyoming.
8) CSU (#8; 7-13; 2-4): Had been decent home team.  Hasn’t been good on road.
7) WYO (#7; 14-6; 3-3): Down 32-31 to AF at half but dominate 2nd 41-27 for win.
6) TCU (#6; 13-7; 4-2): Can’t afford home game losses as their torched by NM. @ SDSU tonight.
5) SDSU (#4; 13-5; 3-2): Couldn’t hold down BYU’s shooters in road loss.
4) BYU (#3; 15-5; 3-3): The lack of an interior game will be this teams demise.  Needs to protect home court vs. Wyo Sat.
3) NM (#2; 12-8; 3-2): Blows out TCU after loss @SDSU.  Should get win tonight vs. CSU.
2) UTAH (#2; 13-7; 4-2): If Utes can bottle up the effort from BYU win, they can have a shot.  Next up NM at home Sat.
1) UNLV (#5: 16-4; 4-2): Strong 2nd halves pace Rebels to wins over BYU-Utah & top spot in poll.

A person in the media has spread the rumor that Coach Kalani Sitake and other Utah coaches were the ones feeding me the information in regards to Manti Te’os decision to take BYU off his list. Coach Kalani Sitake and the Utah staff are first too busy, and second, they have to much integrity to feed me this information. This is a rumor, nothing more than a theory formed by someone in the media in an attempt to hurt the image of all involved.

Random thoughts LIVE from my lovely seat above at the Huntsman Center:

1ST HALF:
-Arena 60% full at start…Pitiful!
-BYU is hitting shots…big key coming in.
-Utah finding success on from three-point land early.
-Nevill doesn’t get 1st hoop until 14:02 mark with a 3pt play to pull Utah within three 14-11.  I think Boylen had to remind his players that they have a huge advantage with him.
-It’s like a light has gone off (duh) as Nevill is touching the ball every possession.  He has come a long way as a player over the years. 
-Cummard is feeling it tonight.  Good sign for Cougars.
-Turning into BYU perimeter game vs. Utah penetration and feeding Nevill in the post. 
-BYU offense is stagnant with Cummard out of the game.
-Tavernari is off and playing a bit out of control. 
-What is the point of Swoope?  Just curious.
-Cummard returns with BYU up just by one.  It was around a 7pt lead I believe when he left the game.  Lead goes to three on a Cummard bucket.  It’s becoming the Nevill (14pts)-Cummard (12pts) show.
-Green with a big three.  Utes now 4-8 3pt land & shooting 50% overall.  BYU is at 56.5%. 
-Cummard baseline drive countered by Nevill hoop.  Fans are missing quite a show by these two.
-Kepkay three gives Utes first lead in quite some time 35-34.
-Miles just got robbed on a hoop as refs say the ball was still in cylinder.  That wasn’t case but he does come back with a jumper in lane to give BYU lead 36-35.
-Utes started to fire away from outside.  Need to remember Nevill.
-Cummard huge three with 2 sec left to give BYU 40-39 lead.  Pretty good game.  Too bad not too many people seem to care.

2ND HALF:
-End of halftime intermission they showed Utah-BYU football highlights then a shot of Brian Johnson in the crowd.  Crowd of course fired up.
-Teams exchanging baskets.  Whoever decides to clamp down and play some defense will win this game.
-Nice play by Cummard on a steal feeding to Emery who drives to kick it out to Fredette for a three.  2nd half is up and down.
-Nevill takes first shot at 16:21 mark drawing foul on Miles.  He can post him up all night long.
-15:59 BYU 50-48.  Cougars shooting 58.8% to Utah 48.4%.  Utes 6-14 3pters to BYU’s 5-13.  BYU struggling at FT line though 5-11 to Utah’s 12-13.  Conversion on turnovers key for BYU taking 8 Ute TO’s for 18pts.  Utah has just 6pts off 5 BYU TO’s.
-BYU picking it up on the defensive end with Miles forcing a steal leading to a Tavernari hoop to go up 54-48.  Boylen with the quick timeout. 
-Green goes strong to basket for hoop + 1.  Misses FT but that is what you want to see out of a TO.
-Announced attendance is 12,250.  I guess I can buy it but still pretty sad.
-Miles aggressive to hoop hitting shot and drawing foul.  He’s putting together a decent game with 11pts but needs to hit FT’s…1-7 at the stripe.
-11:52-Cummard picks up 3rd foul.  Nevill feeds a nice pass to Borha who misses lay-up but foul occurs on the rebound.  Both teams are going after it.
-See Jazz lost 106-100.  Quick look at the box score tells me they lost due to the Spurs 3pt shooting.  Will watch later to get a better idea. 
-Utes starting to miss FT’s.
-Nevill goaltends giving BYU 58-53 lead.  Drca comes back with a nice feed to Nevill who is double-teamed.  Doesn’t matter as he completes 3pt play. 
-Nevill alters Abouo’s shot and comes back with a dunk.  Utes now have momentum with Brown lay-in up 60-58.  Utah needs to continue to feed Nevill.
-Utes picking it up on defense.  BYU having a tough time finding open shots.
-9:24-Nevill goes out up 60-59 picking up 3rd foul.  Miles actually hit a FT.  He’s now 2-9.
-BYU is starting to force up shots.  Let’s see if they can keep from losing their composure.
-Game tied 61-61.  Just saw about every player dive on the floor for a loose ball.  Both teams want this one. 
-Nevill returns down 63-61.  Utes immediately take a three, get rebound, take another three.  If they want to win they need to get the big man the ball.
-Cummard has been fairly quiet offensively in 2nd half but just hit a key hoop to give them 65-61 lead. 
-Utes continue to shoot from outside.  Need to either penetrate or feed Nevill.
-Morgan Jr with a huge three to go up 68-63.  That play is made by Tavernari tipping a rebound to the perimeter.
-Drca drives to hoop for easy two.  Miles turns it over in post.  BYU needs to keep the ball in Cummard’s hands down the stretch.  Utah needs to continue to penetrate and lay off the outside shots that are obviously not failing.  Let’s face it, BYU’s interior defense is not so good.
-Fredette misses but Utah blows opportunity to take lead missing Nevill in post.  Cummard big shot countered by Green driving.  Good game.
-Another Utah turnover as Borha bounces the ball off his foot.  Fredette fouled but makes 1 of 2 FT’s.  BYU up 71-69.
-Utah feeds it to Nevill in post who puts it in to tie game.  Miles just flopped like no other.  Good no-call by officials.
-Fredette misses 3pter, Utah rebound.  Rose livid at a hard screen no-call.  Utah timeout with 29.1sec to play and 28sec on shot clock.  We could be looking at OT. 
-We’re going to OT baby.  Drca misses runner…BYU rebound to Tavernari who misses open 3 at buzzer.  Great game! 
-Great start to OT…Borha 3pter followed by Cummard 3.
-Cummard picks up 4th foul with 4:08 left.  Nevill clutch at FT line hitting two to take 76-74 lead.
-Cummard with a beautiful pass to Miles for easy lay-in.  He is doing it all tonight.
-Nevill back with a running hook in lane.  We are witnessing a dual of two of the best players in the MWC.
-BYU turnover.  Not the time to get sloppy with the ball.  Utes though back with a turnover of their own.
-Cummard finally misses.  Can the Utes open up a 4pt lead?
-Kepkay penetrates (like they should) and puts in a beautiful reverse lay-up drawing foul to go up 80-76.  Misses FT but Green with a huge board to maintain possession with 2:17 to go.  Plenty of time left.  I will say this…it’s a weak crowd but no one is leaving this one.
-Kepkay drives again for lay-in.  Utes up by 6 and BYU is in trouble.
-Tavernari with an airball.  Awful shot.
-Kepkay misses but Nevill knocks ball out front.  If Utah can make FT’s they should win.  Drca makes 1 of 2 to go up 83-76,  Fredette with a quick hoop.  Still not out of it with 51.9sec to play.
-Teams trading baskets.  BYU has to get a steal or foul and hope for missed FT’s.  Besides Nevill, the rest of the Utes have been struggling at line in the 2nd half.
-32.2sec Tavernari with big three to pull within 86-83.  Cougars could have used that earlier.
-Borha hits one of two but Utes get rebound.  Utah winning board battle, especially getting a few key offensive rebounds in OT and most likely will win game.
-Kepkay hits both free throws.  He came up huge in the extra session.
-Utes win and it was a nice one.  A fun game to watch featuring outstanding performances by the likes of Luke Nevill (32pts 10reb) and Lee Cummard (23pts 7reb) and some clutch plays by Tyler Kepkay (19pts) who gets some redemption from the struggles he had in the final minutes of games a year ago.  It’s everything you wanted to see in a rivalry.  Too bad more people didn’t come out and watch it in person.

Good to have you back old friend… I feel like you never left at all.
AARON RODERICK RETURNS TO UTAH
Receivers coach leaves Washington for personal reasons
SALT LAKE CITY—Aaron Roderick, who accepted a job coaching the receivers at the University of Washington on Jan. 17, is returning to Utah. Roderick cited personal reasons for his decision to return to Salt Lake City. He will coach the Ute receivers, a position he has held since 2005. Roderick’s wife Laurel will also resume her duties as Utah’s assistant soccer coach.
    Roderick initially accepted a position as Utah’s co-offensive coordinator with Dave Schramm Jan. 17, before changing his mind and leaving for Washington. “I handled this whole thing badly,” said Roderick. “But I didn’t want to compound my mistakes, when where I really want to be is Utah. This was never about titles and money. This is about doing what is right for me and my family. I love coaching at the University of Utah and I am grateful that Coach Whittingham welcomed me back.”
    “We are pleased to have Aaron Roderick returning to our program,” said Whittingham. “He has been an integral part of our success over the past four years. Aaron’s return is great news for our current players, as well as for our incoming recruits.”
    Roderick will resume his role as one of Utah’s top recruiters, hitting the recruiting trail immediately in advance of next week’s national signing day.
    Roderick’s return trims the open positions on the staff to two. Schramm, as Utah’s new offensive coordinator, will coach either the running backs or quarterbacks. Whittingham will fill one of those jobs, along with hiring a new offensive line coach.
I thought I would post a video that describes Aarons thoughts. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to post some Cinderella. ( You don’t know what you got till it’s gone) thanks to the texter that suggested it.
 

I EXPECT THIS GAME TO BE MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE THAN THE ACTUAL SUPER BOWL…

JAZZ FANS…TIME TO PRESS THE PANIC BUTTON?
Press the panic button, fire off the sirens; this team is in serious trouble.  Sunday night’s loss to Denver was embarrassing.  They looked lethargic, lacked any fire, played very little defense and seemed to lack overall confidence.  I know they had plane problems and couldn’t leave until Sunday morning but this was a crucial game.  I mean how many times in your job do you get limited amount of sleep before a big meeting but are carried by adrenaline and nail it!?  That’s what I expected out of the Jazz.  The injuries have definitely taken its toll not only talent wise but clearly wearing on the team mentally.  This is scary to say, but it’s looking like the hope for the Jazz to reach the post-season will fall on the shoulders (or knee) of…Carlos Boozer.  Tough I’m sure for some fans to handle since he will dissert them at the end of the season.  And of course that is still contingent on Boozer actually getting and staying healthy and with the way this season has gone for the Jazz that is by far a guarantee.

MANTI TE’O SAYS NO TO BYU:
While this isn’t the end all for BYU it is a big blow if this program wants to compete and make the jump to be a contender for a BCS Bowl game one day.  I have said this over and over but this team needs more athletes.  And when they cannot secure the supposed best LDS recruits it makes it even more difficult for this program to excel past just being a MWC contender.  Plus to steal a line from Field of Dreams, “If they build it, they will come,” Bronco needs to find a way to secure the best LDS recruits which in turn would attract more.  Instead BYU fans will most likely be watching Te’o at USC wondering what could have been.  As for the numerous rumors regarding possible honor code violations at a recruiting party etc., we’ll address if they come to light by the program. 

MWC WANTS SIT-DOWN WITH BCS:
USA Today reports this story today.  I think it’s a good thing to keep the pressure mounting on this system but even Craig Thompson thinks it will be nearly impossible to get the MWC in.  The only way it will happen is if it comes from government or a lawsuit.  I get the sense most fans here would be happy getting an automatic bid for the MWC.  That’s not enough.  It needs to be playoff or bust.

UTAH-BYU HOOPS TUESDAY NIGHT:
Where is the hatred?  Where is the trash talking?  It’s clear the basketball rivalry has nowhere near the passion of the football rivalry.  As Gordon and I talked last week, this is a college football state.  For whatever reasons, college hoops is lagging behind.  With that said, I expect a spirited and competitive battle on the floor.  Two keys is whether BYU can hit from the perimeter (always a key) and whether both teams can keep their composure down the stretch or when things go awry.  A problem for both in their recent losses to UNLV.  Utah is a good defensive team, has a decided edge with Luke Nevill and has the advantage of playing at home.  For those reasons I’ll take the Utes 76-73.

She’s Molly Sullivan, a sideline reporter who I’ve seen in person at football games on the Mtn. and never thought she was that hot until Playboy named her sexiest sportscaster….Whaddya think????