Latest Bracketology Labels Runnin' Utes as 'Stock Down' Bubble Team

The Utah Runnin’ Utes will need to change their trajectory if they want to earn their first NCAA Tournament berth in nearly ten years. 

A recent On3 article regarding NCAA Tournament “bubble teams” pinned the Runnin’ Utes as a program whose stock was declining as of late.

While Utah won a much-needed game against UCLA on Feb. 18th, the team had previously lost five of their prior six games. To add insult to injury, the Runnin’ Utes hold a record of 2-6 in away contests, with their only conference road win coming in the aforementioned game against UCLA.

On3 Bracketologist James Fletcher III wrote the following concerning the Runnin’ Utes, who he also lumped in with their upcoming opponent, the Colorado Buffaloes:

“Colorado and Utah have both let opportunities slip away over recent weeks in the Pac-12 schedule which does not allow much room for losses. Both teams split a series against the schools in Los Angeles, which are both struggling and do very little to help the resume.”

“The Buffaloes and Utes get a head-to-head matchup which could leave one in the projected NCAA Tournament field and the other scrambling to get back in the picture. Neither team has fallen totally out of the picture, but things are getting dicey for the conference.”

The most important truth of Fletcher's breakdown is this; Utah still has a chance to dance.

Third-year head coach Craig Smith is hungry and on a mission to prove his team isn’t akin to their road record. The Utes currently rank No. 49 in the NCAA’s NET rankings, safely within the margin needed to be in consideration come “Selection Sunday” when the NCAA will pick 36 teams to fill out this year's bracket.

Despite slowing down recently, the Runnin’ Utes' body of work is impressive. Utah is 12-2 at home, has primetime victories over top-ranked programs like the No. 11 BYU Cougars and No. 15 St. Mary’s Gaels, and is getting healthier by the day.

Regardless, the Runnin’ Utes need to iron out their road struggles. Only two of the teams' five remaining games leading up to the Pac-12 tournament are at home.