A head game
For a guy who says he's just a dumb farmer, Jerry Sloan sure likes hanging out with smart people.
This summer the Jazz added Brevin Knight to their ever-growing list of former Stanford players, including Jarron Collins, Adam Keefe, Curtis Borchadt and Rich Kelley. Other smart-school Jazz guys: Carlos Boozer (Duke), Morris Almond (Rice) and Walter Palmer (Dartmouth).
All but Kelley play or have played for Sloan.
The latest addition is Texas forward Gabe Muoneke, who was at training camp last week. The son of a Prairie View A&M math professor, Muoneke majored in petroleum engineering; speaks English, Ibo and Spanish; and says he loves drawing and reading poetry.
The Jazz may not beat you in the playoffs, but you don't want to meet them in the finals of "Jeopardy."
Speaking of which, is it true they just signed Ken Jennings to a 10-day contract?
Citizen Carlos
Jazz beat writer Tim Buckley reported last week that All-Star Carlos Boozer is a Barack Obama fan.
Boozer met the presidential candidate last summer through Reggie Love, a former Boozer teammate and Obama's current personal assistant.
"He's (Obama) so impressive," said Boozer. "He has this incredible aura about him. The way he talks, I want that guy leading my country."
Who knew Boozer was so political?
He must be the guy I saw driving out the arena parking lot with a bumper sticker that said, "I Make $12 Million a Year and I Vote!"
(Lud)wigging out
Remember last season when there were calls for Kyle Whittingham's head after a loss to UNLV?
Now the Utes are undefeated and nationally ranked, and Whittingham's a hot commodity. Rivals.com writer Tom Dienhart rates him the non-BCS conference coach with the "most upward mobility."
His reasoning? Whittingham is 3-0 in bowl games, and his record has improved each year. Besides, he "has shown his staying power and ability to maintain what he inherited."
Dienhart postulates Whittingham could become the next coach at Washington, in which case "don't be shocked if offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig was promoted" to head coach at Utah.
Back here in Salt Lake, well, we'd be be shocked.
Who's gonna be his offensive coordinator, Gary Crowton?
Bear market blues
BYU beats Utah State but drops one spot in the polls. The previous week it sits idle yet rises three spots.
How does this make sense?
Think of it this way: It's a lot like the stock market. You knew the gains couldn't go on forever.
This week was just a market correction.
E-mail: rock@desnews.com