Utes need to find consistency to contend for title

After Tuesday night’s victory, the Utes can say they own the Southeastern Conference. Coming on the heels of the football team’s victory over Alabama of the SEC four days early, Utah absolutely crushed LSU 91-61 at the Huntsman Center. Earlier in the season, the Utes took care of another SEC foe, Mississippi, 83-72 at the Glenn Wilkes Classic in Florida.
While I’m not ready to hand the Mountain West Conference title to the Utes, I do think they’ll be one of the top contenders for the title this year. Despite their 10-5 record, they could easily be 14-1 except for four losses by four points or less, including three games without starting point guard Luka Drca. In the two wins over Wyoming and LSU when they scored 91 points in each game, the Utes were absolutely dominating. When was the last time the Utes scored over 90 points in consecutive games? You have to go back to the 1994-95 season.
The key to a MWC title run will be how the Utes handle their success. After winning five straight earlier this year, they proceeded to lose four of five games. Last year, after starting off 10-4, they lost four of five and then after winning four in a row, they lost four straight.
The Utes have two road games coming up at San Diego State Saturday and Air Force Wednesday. Wins in those two games could set them up for a nice title run.