INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 21-9; 10-4 in MWC (2nd) Postseason: Lost to Indiana 75-56 in first round of NCAA South Region. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Jacobson 13.1 Rebs: Johnsen 6.3 Assists: Jacobson 1.7 FG: Johnsen 49.6% 3pt: Johnsen 35.6% FT: Utah | MWC KEY LOSSES Chris Burgess | 13.2 ppg Jeff Johnsen | 10.6 ppg Phil Cullen | 7.3 ppg Travis Spivey | 6.8 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Tim Drisdom | Fresh G | Nick Jacobson | Junior G | Trace Caton | Senior F | Britton Johnsen | Senior C | Tim Frost | Junior Player to Watch Britton Johnsen Senior Forward Reigning POY is also a preseason candidate for Wooden Award. DATE TO REMEMBER Nov. 25 The Utes draw Gonzaga in the first round of the Maui Classic and it should tell everyone how much better Utah's post game is from last season.

 

UTAH UTES

If you're going to have only four remaining players from the previous season return, it's a good thing one is the league's reigning Player of the Year in senior forward Britton Johnsen (6-10, 210). Injuries didn't allow Utah to be Utah last season, meaning Rick Majerus' team had to switch its inside-first mentality to an outside shooting one. It worked well enough for a 21-9 record and another NCAA berth, but the Utes never really seemed in sync. The best shooter returns in junior guard Nick Jacobson (44 percent on 3s last season), and he'll be aided by wing Trace Caton, who played in all 30 games as a junior. Five of the 10 scholarship players on Utah's roster are freshmen, led by center Chris Jackson (6-11, 242). A key newcomer who could help Utah return to its inside ways is junior transfer Tim Frost (6-10, 236), a first-team all-West Coast Conference selection when at Portland. Frost is an adept finisher around the basket, something Majerus demands. The challenge is finding a competent point guard between freshman Tim Drisdom and sophomore Marc Jackson.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Caton (6-4, 211) will never put up great numbers -- he averaged 4.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season -- but he's the glue that holds Utah together. The team captain can defend four positions and brings passion and enthusiasm to that end of the court. If Utah proves good enough to remain near the top of the conference standings, it will be because of the leadership Caton provides. The key is getting some of it to rub off on the talented and yet mellow Johnsen.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
If the Utes aren't hit with injuries to the post last season, you're likely talking about 25 or 26 wins. Frost is a huge addition because he has already proven an ability to score and rebound at this level, but senior Cameron Koford (6-10, 236) needs to step up. Andrew Bogut is a heralded 6-9 freshman post player from Australia, but he hasn't gained eligibility and could redshirt if allowed to enroll in the spring. Either way, the inside must improve.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
It will take a while for the point guard and post positions to become consistent, but it will always be a bear for opponents to win in Salt Lake City. By the time conference begins and assuming there are no major injuries, Utah could contend. Its reputation alone might earn another NCAA berth, but the NIT is a bigger possibility than recent times.