It will be the men against the boys tonight when BYU and Utah stage another one of their annual colossal wars - this time "a battle of the ages.".
Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. at the Huntsman Center in the ESPN-televised contest.As has been the case several times over the years, this Cougar-Ute matchup has championship implications. A Ute victory gives then the Western Athletic Conference championship outright with a 15-3 record. A Cougar win puts the two teams at 14-4 and gives BYU the No. 1 seed in next week's WAC tournament in Albuquerque.
BYU's veteran team defeated Utah's kiddie corps two months ago 64-57 when the two rivals met in the WAC opener for both teams. But that seems like eons ago and Utah has matured as the season has gone along, a point BYU coach Roger Reid likes to make.
Although many of BYU's players are four or five years older than Utah's, Reid downplays any advantage his team has because of age.
"This `young' business is over," said Reid. "They've played 30 games now. They've been through the wars. I don't think it matters how old you are if you can play."
Utah coach Rick Majerus disagrees, saying age is a big factor.
"They're an old, veteran team, literally and figuratively," he said. "Age and experience make a big difference. There is a big difference between 18- and 19-year-olds and 23- and 24-year-olds."
Six of Utah's top nine players are still teenagers, while six of BYU's top seven players are age 23 or older. Still, no matter what their ages, both teams have proven they can play this year.
Utah has received a great performance all season from Keith Van Horn, who leads the league in scoring (22.7 ppg) and rebounding (10.1) for WAC games. Brandon Jessie, Mark Rydalch and Alex Jensen have been solid all season and lately Jimmy Carroll has re-discovered his shooting touch.
"They're playing great basketball right now," said Reid. "They have good size and good athletes. They rebound well and play good defense. Van Horn and Jessie will play in the NBA someday. Playing Utah is going to be a real challenge."
BYU has received good performances from its main players this year, but at different times. Kenneth Roberts carried the team for awhile, but a recent bout with the flu held his numbers down. Russell Larson has disappeared at times but seems to be playing well lately as his 34-point performance last week attests. Both Randy and Robbie Reid have had their individual moments this year as have Mark Durrant and Craig Wilcox.
"We have a lot of respect for BYU and know it will be a great confrontation," said Majerus. "I love Roberts, Larson is a great player and the Reids are extraordinary athletes. It's going to be a tough game."
BYU has dominated the series lately, winning four straight and eight of 12 since Majerus became coach. But Majerus doesn't worry about the past and is trying to treat this as just another game.
"There are 28 games on the schedule and they all mean something," said Majerus. "I don't look back at past games. I take a very simplistic approach. To me it's always today's game or today's practice. I never think one game or one practice is more important."
A BYU victory could also mean a three-way tie if UTEP defeats Fresno State tonight. In that case, BYU would get the No. 1 seed. Utah would get the No. 2 seed if New Mexico finishes fourth, while UTEP would be No. 2 if Wyoming finishes 4th.