This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
What Utah is doing in the Pac-12 Tournament defies logic - and tourney history.
Utah is the first double-digit seed to make the semifinal - where it will face Oregon for the second time in a week. What's at stake for the Utes? A berth in the title game, and an opportunity for another "first" under Larry Krystkowiak. Currently, Utah has never beaten a Pac-12 team twice in one season. The Utes can change that on Friday night.
The country is taking notice. Jarred DuBois' shot against California to send Thursday's game into overtime was prominently featured on Sportscenter.
This piece by Raphielle Johnson talks about Jordan Loveridge and his ability to take over against the Bears down the stretch - http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/utah-beats-california-in-overtime-advances-to-pac-12-semifinals/
This is the Associated Press report, speaking on the Utes and how well they have played this week in scoring two upsets - http://sports.yahoo.com/news/utah-earns-another-pac-12-050951947—ncaab.html
Here's a report on the Utes with a snappy headline. Sin City Stunner, very original. It focuses on Utah, but also on California and how the Bears have now lost two consecutive games - http://www.dailycal.org/2013/03/14/sin-city-stunner-cal-mens-basketball-loses-to-utah-in-quarterfinals-of-pac-12-tournament/
The San Francisco Chronicle chimes in here - http://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Utah-upsets-Cal-in-Pac-12-tourney-79-69-4356577.php
Most speculate that a partisan crowd will back the Utes tonight. Arizona and UCLA are the first matchup. Oregon defeated both of these teams during the regular-season.
Tony Jones