From: ewstroup@cc.utah.edu (ERIC W. STROUP)
Subject: Utah Drills New Mexico
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1  
Organization: University of Utah Computer Center
Date:  4 Jan 1993 14:07 MST  

Utah 78, New Mexico 45

(BOX at end)

The state of Utah was burried by as much as 36" of snow, and the Lobos of 
New Mexico were burried by a strong performance by the Utes.  As a game 
hyped as a conference opening battle between two title contenders, this was
a total route.  Utah simply crushed the Lobos.

Head coach Rick Majerus missed the New Mexico game for the second time in 
two years.  Last year he was hospitalized with a viral infection, and this
year he took off to North Carolina due to a death in the family.  The coaching
duties then fell to Asst. coach Joe Cravens who has taken over before, most
notably for the entire season three years ago when the Maji was recovering 
from heart surgery (septuple bypass ? I think that means 6x).  Ironically,
NM coach Dave Bliss has coached more games against Cravens then against the
Maji. 

This game was over after the first seven minutes.  The Utes took the tip and
went on a 20-3 run.  The run was highlighted by three pointers from Byron
Wilson and Josh Grant.  The lobos scored only three point in their first 
twelve possessions.  The quick offensive success actually provided the Utes
with problems, because it took them completely out of their offense and the 
Lobos were able to catch up.  The Utah defense held the pressure on and
limited the lobos to 30% shooting in the first half and 11 turnovers (most
of which were traveling calls).  Josh Grant had 9 point in the half and 
NM's Khari Jaxon had 12.  New Mexico did a good job in the first half of 
pressuring the ball exchange between the guards in Utah's motion offense.  
Khari Jaxon also had a field-day blocking shots.  Jaxon is "only" 6-8,
but he has a "wingspan" of 86" (7-2). Utah assistant coach Joe Cravens said
of Khari Jaxon, "he has arms like well ropes."  

The second half started much like the first.  Utah went on a 9-0 run and 
effectively put the game away.  The Utes also crashed the boards hard in 
the second half.  In the first half the two teams had an equal number of 
rebounds, but Utah got 25 rebounds in the second half and NM only got 8.
Many of Utah's boards were on the offensive end (21).  Utah's pressure defense
put a lid on the lobos, causing 9 more turnovers in the second half and
limiting them to 34% shooting for the game and 1-14 in 3's.  

COMMENTS:
UTAH:

Josh Grant had a stellar game. 19 rebounds - 7 offensive.  He had 9 point in 
the first half and 21 for the game.  NM's Lousi Laker was in Josh's face 
after Louis blocked a Grant shot.  BAD MOVE!  Josh went nuts on the guy.
4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal , 3 turnovers in 33 mins.

Byron Wilson is only 6'2" tall, but weighs 220lbs.  Saturday, he played all of
those 220lbs.  He fought really hard for rebounds (7), and played tough 
defense on NM's Ike Williams.  After the first few minutes of the game Ike was
a non-factor.  He wanted nothing to do with Byron.  Byron had 3 assists, 2 
turnovers, and shot 3-4 in 3's.

Phil Dixon put together a very balanced game.  He has a tendency to play well
in the first half and then fizzle out.  He wasn't as spectacular in the first
half, but his total game was good.  His shot selection was good and his 
defense was really good.  He had 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 block, and was 
3-6 from 3's in his 31 mins on the floor.

Jimmy Soto was not brilliant in the stats line, but he played the key 
leadership role on the court.  He led a Utah defense that absolutely
controlled the Lobo guards.  Jimmy had 4 assists, 2 turnovers, and 4
steals in 30 mins.

Larry Cain took a one handed turnaround three-pointer that was a shock to 
everyone.  He missed.  Larry missed quite a few, but he played very hard
and did a good job down low.  He had 3 more blocks (after 7 in the last game).
Larry had 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, and 4 steals in 27 mins.

Tony Block actually put together some good minutes with out getting alot of
needless fouls.  He ended up with only 2 fouls.  He did a good job on D, 
but really shined against K. Jaxon in offense.  The key was that Jaxon was so
block-hungry that he would go after everything, leaving Tony with easy inside
position for the offensive rebound.  Tony ended up with 5 rebounds - all 
off the offensive glass.  Tony had 1 assist, 1 turnover and 8 points in 19
minutes.

Darroll Wright didn't get much time on the court, but he was able to make some
silly mistakes in his short appearences.  He had a wide open lay-up on a 
breakaway and decided to do a reverse finger roll. MISSED!!  He is lucky 
that the Maji wasn't there to see that.  Too bad its on film.  Darroll also
took some 3's that were from the parking lot.  Not a very smart game, hence
few minutes.

Mark Rydalch also didn't play much.  He had a few great passes while he was
in, but otherwise was no factor.


NEW MEXICO:

Khari Jaxon is good!!!  He can jump and he had very long arms.  However, his
ability to shot block tends to consume him.  He left his man for the block
far too often and also had alot of goal-tending calls.  However, when he's
on he can dominate the inside.  Let's hope he get's going against BYU.  That
would be fun to watch.  I think that BYU's big guys will out muscle him.  He
doesn't weigh alot.  30 more lbs would make a big difference.

Canonchet Neves looked to be a hot shooter coming into the game, but he could
not buy a basket.  The Lobos ran a two-man game for him, but his shots would
not fall.  This looks like a good strategy if he's on, because the Lobos did
a good job with this offensive scheme.  Neves shaved his head (as did most of
the Lobos) and looks really silly.  It makes him look sickly.  Neves transfered
to NM from U.Detroit.

Ike Williams has a big body.  He was simply out muscled by Wilson, but he
should get some good pairings in the WAC.  BYU's Sanderson is much quicker
and may really blow buy him, but if Ike get's his body on him once, Sanderson
may be in the hospital.  

Louis Laker is a serious trash talker, but his game doesn't back it up. 



New Mexico	FG	FT	R	A	PF	TP
Williams	2-6	0-0	3	1	1	4
Neves		0-3	0-2	2	0	3	0
Jaxon		6-15	3-6	9	1	3	15
Logan		3-10	1-1	6	2	1	7
Brown		1-8	0-0	4	1	1	2
Jenkins		2-4	4-4	0	1	0	9
Laker		2-2	2-2	3	2	2	6
Heffner		1-2	0-0	3	0	1	2
 		17-50	10-15	30	8	12	45

UTAH
Grant		9-18	1-1	19	4	2	21
Dixon		5-10	0-0	2	4	1	13
Cain		2-8	1-2	7	3	2	5
Soto		3-9	0-0	1	4	2	6
Wilson		6-11	1-2	7	3	4	16
Wright		3-6	0-0	1	1	1	6
Rydalch		1-3	1-2	1	0	1	3
Connolly	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0
Block		3-6	2-2	5	1	2	8
		32-71	6-9	47	20	15	78

Halftime - Utah 35
	   NM	25
Shooting - FG: UTAH 45.1%
	       NM   34.0%
	 - FT: UTAH 66.7%
	       NM   66.7%
Three-point -  UTAH 8-17 (Wilson 3-4, Dixon 3-6, Grant 2-4)
	       NM   1-14 (Jenkins 1-3)                       <----  OUCH!!!!
Steals	- UTAH 8 (Cain 4)
	  NM   4
Turnovers - UTAH 12
	    NM   20 (Williams 7)
Blocks - UTAH 5 (Cain 3)
	 NM   6 (Jaxon 5)




-Eric
ewstroup@cc.utah.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.college