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| | Tuesday, November 2 | |||||||||||||||
COACH AND PROGRAM
ALEX JENSEN (6-7, 215 lbs., SR, SF, #50, 12.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.8 tpg, 1.1 spg, 31.4 minutes, .543 FG, .398 3PT, .714 FT, Viewmont HS/Centerville, Ut.) He is one of the most underrated players in the nation. Jensen does a bit of everything. He was named first-team All-WAC and is a consensus first-team All-Mountain West choice. He was the WAC Tournament MVP after averaging 16 points and nine rebounds. He finds a way to the basketball on every possession. Jensen is quicker than teams think and gets to the loose balls and stray rebounds. He can shut down a team's best offensive player, regardless of the position. "He'll be our best defender and our best rebounder," Majerus said. "He's our smartest player and has an unbelievable mental toughness about him. He has to score more, though. He can't rely on his defense and his rebounding. With Miller gone, we need his production." HANNO MOTTOLA (6-10, 240 lbs., SR, PF, #13, 15.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 31.0 minutes, .482 FG, .354 3PT, .833 FT, Makelanrinne/Helsinki, Finland) Mottola could be a first-team All-America. He has Keith Van Horn-like skills with his ability to shoot the three-pointer and score inside. He still needs to work on his penetration and passing game. Mottola already ranks 22nd all-time in Utah scoring with 1,134 points. He was an easy first-team All-WAC player and a preseason Player of the Year candidate in the new Mountain West. "He has come back in the best shape ever," Majerus said. "He's very determined and he feels the sting of last year's defeat. He's got to rebound better. He was a poor rebounder last year."(Tony) Harvey's going to score, but Hanno and Al (Jensen) will be our primary scorers. We need Harvey to be a defensive stopper and scorer, and Hanno to do it inside. But he needs to do it consistently against the good teams." JEREMY KILLION (6-0, 197 lbs., SG, #32, 8.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 26.5 minutes, .412 FG, .345 3PT, .727 FT, Palomar JC, Calif. & Rancho Bernardo HS/San Diego, Calif.) Killion was named to the WAC All-Newcomer team. He played in all 33 games and started 32. He was one of the better free-throw shooters on the team, scored in double figures 13 times and had 20 points or more twice. Killion is a three-point threat every time he steps on the floor. But he still needs to create his shot better and could find his time cut by the arrival of freshman Nick Jacobson or, perhaps, by Tony Harvey if one of the incoming point guards can handle the playmaking better than Harvey, thus shifting him to the wing. "He's a great shooter and gives a great effort," Majerus said. "He's got the competitiveness, too. He's our third-best guard behind Harvey and Jacobson." TONY HARVEY (6-5, 188 lbs., SR, PG, #5, 9.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 25.6 minutes, .446 FG, .359 3PT, .625 FT, Cerritos JC, Calif. & Carson HS/Carson, Calif.) Named to the WAC Pacific Division All-Newcomer team, Harvey was fourth on the team in scoring and third in assists (2.5 apg). He also had the third best three-point percentage on the team. Harvey sat out the first nine games because of a suspension. Utah won 23 consecutive games after his return before losing to Miami (Oh.) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Harvey is a versatile swing player. He can play either the point, the wing or small forward. He could be the Utes' top defensive player with his long reach and quick feet. Harvey's production could go a long way toward determining how far the Utes can go in this year's NCAA Tournament. "I'm looking at him to start at one of the two guard positions," Majerus said. "He can be an excellent defender, a good rebounder. He's got to move better without the ball. I see him playing 30-35 minutes per game. His attitude has been great since I suspended him. He's become a very unselfish player." NATE ALTHOFF (6-11, 245 lbs., JR, C, #52, 4.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 21.1 minutes, .604 FG, .518 FT, Delano HS/Minn.) Majerus has developed Althoff into a serviceable center who can do more than take up space. He's taken the next step into actually producing in the post. Althoff had few moves when he got to Utah, but now can do more than dunk. "He's got to be a defensive rebounder and come up to the penetrating guard and not let himself get beat," Majerus said. "Can he finish? That's the biggest question. Can he hit a free throw? He has to dominate the glass. He's got more confidence going into this season."KEY RESERVES JEFF JOHNSEN (6-4, 194 lbs., SO, G-F, #35, 3.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 15.7 minutes, .500 FG, .333 3PT, .586 FT in 1996-97, Murray HS/Murray, Ut.) Johnsen is back off a two-year Mormon Church mission. His brother, Britton, is entering his second year of a mission. Johnsen was the top reserve on the Elite Eight team that lost to Kentucky in the 1997 West Regional. He's a Mr. Everything type of player who will defend, rebound and pass the ball around in the system. "He's a good board guy who knows the system," Majerus said. "He's been here for big wins. He can backup at the 'four' spot, the 'three' or even the 'five' when we go small." PHIL CULLEN (6-9, 200 lbs., SO, C, #40, 4.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 14.7 minutes, .455 FG, .377 3PT, .714 FT, Chelen HS/Chelen, Wash.) Cullen played in all 33 games last season but was erratic. Sometimes he was a three-point shooter, other times he wandered inside and attempted to be a rebounding center. He needs get nasty in the lane and play behind Althoff. The Utes lack a true backup for him. Cullen can play reserve time behind Mottola and Jensen, but the Utes need him to play taller. "He's a short-minute guy," Majerus said. "He needs to put on weight and increase his stamina and endurance. He's got to shoot the ball well and board. How well he boards and defends will determine how much he plays. He's a good passer, but he needs to get more physical and get down and dirty in the post." NICK JACOBSON (6-5, 195 lbs., FR, G, 31.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.4 spg, Roseville HS/Roseville, Minn.) Jacobson could be a part-time starter. Majerus loves his shooting and he gives the Utes another versatile wing. "He's a great shooter," Majerus said. "He'll make an impact very quickly." Majerus may use him at shooting guard next to Harvey, in place of Killion, or could slide him as a replacement for Jensen or next to him if Majerus opts for a frontcourt of Jensen and Mottola when Althoff is out of the game. TRENT WHITING (6-1, 180 lbs., JR, G, 18.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.2 apg, 3.4 spg, .500 3PT, Snow College, Ut. & Kuna HS/Kuna, Id.) Whiting could end up being the starting point guard by midseason if Majerus chooses to move Harvey to the wing and Killion to the bench. He's an excellent outside shooter who could stretch the defense with his range. He's a lock at the free-throw line and already Majerus is drawing comparisons to former steady Utes Mark Rydalch and Tommy Connor. "He'll play some point and some 'two,'" Majerus said. "He can defend both positions. He's got a great driving line and can stop the ball in transition. Hopefully he won't be overwhelmed by the information coming at him." GARY COLBERT (6-3, 175 lbs., SO, G, 17.3 ppg, 7.5 apg, 5.0 rpg in 1997-98, Etiwanda HS/Alta Loma, Calif.) Colbert did not qualify last season. Majerus has high hopes for Colbert, similar to Miller. But he's not as good, at least not yet. Colbert will battle for time at the point and could start some games later in the season once he's used to the system. Majerus usually doesn't rush Prop 48 players into the lineup too soon. "He's an unknown," Majerus said. "He gives us quickness and scoring. He's a good playmaker, but we'll bring him along slowly. He needs to make the transition in the classroom, too. He's a good passer and defender, but he can't shoot."OTHER RETURNEES ADAM SHARP (6-2, 184 lbs., SO, G, #4, 2.3 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 15.3 minutes, .408 FG, .313 3PT, .769 FT, Alta HS/Salt Lake City, Ut.) Sharp came off his two-year Mormon mission and played in 32 games. He was a reserve at both guard spots and was the ultimate unselfish blender. But his time will get cut with the arrivals of Whiting, Colbert and Jacobson, not to mention the return of Johnsen. "He knows his role and tries to play it," Majerus said.Other Newcomers MIKE PUZEY (6-8, 195 lbs., FR redshirt, F, #42, 20.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg in 1995-96, Roy HS/Roy, Ut.) Puzey redshirted his first season in 1996-97 and then went on a two-year Mormon Church Mission. He's a big body and will have trouble finding the court. He could get some minutes behind Althoff if he's ready. "He's purely a role player," Majerus said.STARTERS NOT RETURNING ANDRE MILLER (6-2, PG, 15.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.6 apg, 33.1 minutes, .491 FG, .265 3PT, .690 FT) Miller was a consensus national Player of the Year candidate and had a legitimate shot at winning the award after leading Utah to an undefeated season in the WAC. He was one of the purest point guards in the nation, able to jump-start the offense on the break, run the halfcourt set and post-up underneath. Miller had quick hands and was the heart and soul of Majerus' system. He was a lottery pick by Cleveland and will be sorely missed by the Utes.OTHERS NOT RETURNING BRAD CROCKETT (6-6, F, 0.7 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 6.0 minutes, .417 FG, .333 3PT, .250 FT) A seldom-used reserve as a freshman, Crockett is gone, too. His time can easily be gobbled up by another newcomer. TYSON JOHNSTON (6-11, C, 0.8 ppg, 4.7 minutes, .316 FG, .429 FT) A backup post player who never found the court, Johnston transferred to Arizona State. He could have been a needed reserve this season. BEN HUESSER (6-0, 0.3 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 4.1 minutes, .125 FG, .500 FT) Huesser left the team and played in only 14 games as a freshman. He won't be missed.QUESTIONS Point guard? Majerus said he can go with either Harvey, Whiting or Colbert. But none have proven themselves at the point and they're not Andre Miller. The Utes have such a complex offense that it will take a well-versed point to keep them moving. They've also got to put more pressure on the ball defensively. Depth at center? Althoff has improved tremendously, but who will be his backup? Cullen isn't a true low-post center and Puzey isn't ready. The Utes will have to go smaller when Althoff isn't on the floor. NCAA berth? The Utes rarely have high regular-season RPI ratings, and this year there is no automatic bid at the end of their conference tournament. It's enough to cause angst for the entire team.ANSWERS Experience! The Utes lost Miller but have four starters back, most of them reserves and players who know the program. Mottola and Jensen! There may not be a better frontcourt tandem in the West, let alone the nation. They can score, defend and cause matchup problems for every foe. Majerus! He is still the most prepared coach in the game. Utah breaks down its opponents better than any other team (except when Wally Szczerbiak is around). Utah hasn't lost a first-round NCAA Tournament game under Majerus and may not for a long, long time.
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