This Utah team has earned their piece of history.
Utah claimed a portion of the Mountain West Conference championship with their 68-49 victory over TCU Saturday afternoon at the Huntsman Center.
“It’s emotional for me, it’s emotional for the team, they’re going to leave here winners and championship and they’re going be in the book forever,” said head coach Jim Boylen. “We’re going to have this team on a banner.”
The Utes’ road to the championship wasn’t an easy one, as there had been letdowns, coupled with skeptics who never truly believed the team along the way, but Utah, as they did all season, overcame adversity and went 12-4 in the MWC to earn their first conference championship since 2005.
“I think about the season we had, the tough losses, the doubters, the nasty emails I get and how thankful I am that we worked through those tough times,” Boylen said. “I’m thankful that Lawrence Borha, John Downie, Luke Nevill, Tyler Kepkay and Shaun Green, anytime they walk around this town, they’re a champion. There’s nothing like it.”
Two weeks ago, the Utes were atop of the MWC and had the No. 1 slot secured, sitting two games above the rest of the conference. After back-to-back road losses to BYU and New Mexico, Utah was but in a must-win situation to earn part of the MWC regular season title.
“We’ve worked too hard, and came too far to not go out a winner,” said Green, who in his final home game knocked down six 3-pointers. “It just wasn’t in question.”
On senior night, it was the Utah seniors that stole the show and took the game into their own hands as they scored 50 of the teams 68 points in their last game at the on the hill.
“It feels real good to finally get something done here,” said a relieved and excited Borha. “The first two years were kind of a down fall. We picked it up our junior years, but we got it done our senior years and we’re excited about it.”
Utah was the second of three teams to claim a piece of the title on Saturday, as New Mexico beat Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo., earlier in the day and BYU’s home victory over Air Force that night split the title between the three MWC powerhouses.
Utah’s share of the MWC title comes at the end of a 21-9 regular season, less than two years since Boylen took over what was then a struggling program.
“I have a great group of seniors behind me to support the team and get a win on our last year and on our home court, it’s amazing,” Nevill said.
The Utes secured their place in history in the presence of one of Utah’s greatest basketball players, as four-time All-American and former Ute, Arnie Ferrin was honored at halftime for his induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in November.
Utah will travel to Las Vegas, Nev., next week to take part in the MWC Tournament as a top three seed.
