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| Saturday, November 3 Updated: November 4, 1:57 PM ET Team preview: Utah Utes ESPN.com |
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Rick Returns. That alone should make the Utes a contender once again. Head coach Rick Majerus is back after missing the majority of last season with health and personal problems. He inherits the team from Dick Hunsaker, a four-year assistant who was named the conference Coach of the Year for the job he did while subbing. Also returning are five starters from a 19-12 team. "They were just scrambling to stay afloat last season, which tells you what a great job Dick did," Majerus said. "I don't know how to describe coming back. But the players know we're going to do things my way. I think they're looking forward to it. But I let them know in no uncertain terms 'This is the way things are going to be.'" Translation: Defend and rebound. It's crucial that Britton Johnsen regain the skill and passion he held as a freshman, something he didn't display often last season after returning from a two-year mission. The junior forward averaged just 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. "He doesn't have the seriousness about the game he once had," said Majerus. "I'm hoping I can help bring it out. But he has to do most of it himself. He has to fall in love with the game again." Chris Burgess is another question mark at center. If the senior could ever become a consistent scorer and rebounder, Utah could own many opponents inside. Travis Spivey is the senior point guard and will be counted on heavily, especially since Kevin Bradley failed to qualify academically. What We Like: The frontcourt. By the end of the season, with some prodding from Majerus, expect Johnsen to again sit among the league's elite players. Burgess should also benefit from the coach returning and senior Phil Cullen remains a solid player at either forward or center. Utah -- with good depth that includes junior Cameron Koford (7-0, 215), sophomore Lance Allred (6-10, 240) and freshman Chris Jackson (6-10, 240) -- is the only conference team that can match Wyoming's size up front. What We Don't Like: The backcourt. Bradley is a definite loss, and Spivey has not been consistent enough to scare opponents. Nick Jacobsen is a sophomore wing who needs to score more. The key could be freshman Martin Osimani, who at 6-3 could add size at the point and will be counted on to score when opportunity knocks. The Bottom Line: Utah missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years and it is no guarantee the Utes will return this time. The conference is much better throughout and teams that used to fear the Utes now think they can beat them. Still, you can't take five returning starters and that familiar sweater on the bench and not think some type of postseason a lock. "I'm looking forward to coming back," Majerus said. "It's going to be fun. I like our guys. They said they're happy I'm back. I told them to be careful what they wish for."
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