The Utah Jazz were supposed to play host to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, but alas, it didn't happen. It was supposed to be Utah's season opener and it was supposed to give Jazz fans a glimpse of their new-look team.
But it didn't happen.
In an unrelated development, ex-Jazzman Kris Humphries and reality TV diva Kim Kardashian were supposed to live happily ever after, but alas, we all saw how well that worked out.
I guess the point is, there's a lot of disappointment out there. It's a tough, cruel, heartbreaking world and nobody is safe from a few bumps and bruises.
I don't know about you, but I'm hurting right now. Sure the future seemed bleak. But as a few rays of optimistic hope began to shine through it appeared everything was going to work out beautifully.
I was sure those two crazy kids were gonna grow old together.
But seriously ...
The NBA lockout is still dragging on and I'll bet it hit a little closer to home Tuesday when you realized it would've been opening night at EnergySolutions Arena.
I know it's disappointing, Jazz fans. I know, despite all the turmoil from last season, you were looking forward to the start of the 2011-12 campaign. And even as late as last week there was optimistic talk that perhaps a full 82-game season could be salvaged.
And then those heartless owners and ungrateful players pulled the rug out from under you once again.
So my question to you now is, what are you going to do about it?
My suggestion? Turn to the college game. Pour yourself into it. Take whatever discretionary income you were going to use on a Jazz game or two and put it toward season tickets to Weber State ... or Utah State ... or BYU ... or Utah.
Heck, take a trip down to Utah Valley or Southern Utah. And while you're at it, visit any one of the state's fine JUCO programs.
Here's an even better idea: take six weeks and visit every gym in the state.
Look, I know this isn't a great time right now. The World Series just ended, our local college football teams are starting to smell like the Great Salt Lake at low tide and while the NFL is alive and well, we here in Utah don't really get the same sense of it as they do in, say, Green Bay, Buffalo or Pittsburgh.
Still, if you call yourself a sports fan there's something inside you yearning to cheer for somebody or something.
So why not make it college basketball?
Weber State's men's team might just be the best team in the state this year. Star point guard Damian Lillard is again healthy and ready to lead the Wildcats in a run toward the NCAA tournament.
Up in Logan, coach Stew Morrill continues to work his magic. He lost eight players from a team that won 30 games last season and yet the Aggies were recently picked to win the Western Athletic Conference.
There, those are two pretty good story lines right there. Want a couple more?
In Salt Lake City, the Runnin' Utes are coming off a pathetic season in which they went 13-16 and saw coach Jim Boylen fired.
Enter onetime Jazzman and former Montana coach Larry Krystkowiak, who has a major challenge in front of him. Not only must "Coach K" put his own stamp on the program, he'll do it without last season's leading scorer, Will Clyburn, who transferred to Iowa State.
And don't forget, the Utes are now playing in the Pac-12 Conference. A media poll recently picked Utah to finish last in the conference this season.
Can they surprise the so-called experts? Maybe. Take a trip to the Huntsman Center and see for yourself.
And then there's BYU. Fans in Provo won't soon forget Jimmer Fredette, but coach Dave Rose is going to have to move forward without the school's most prolific scorer.
The Cougars return plenty of talent, but can Rose forge them into a true team, rather than just the Fredette-ettes? What's more, how will they look in their new league, the West Coast Conference?
Well, there you have it. When it comes to dramatic story lines, our local college hoops teams are far better than anything on daytime television. And they're sure as heck more interesting than the latest Kim and Kris saga.
Jim Burton is the Standard-Examiner's sports columnist. He also covers the Utah Jazz and the NBA. He can be reached at 801-625-4265 or at jburton@standard.net. He tweets at http://twitter.com/jmb247
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