The lowdown
2000-01 record: 19-12; 10-4 in MWC (t1st)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: Lost to Memphis 71-62 in first round of NIT.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Will Britton Johnsen return to his pre-Missionary potential? Can he live up to his McDonald's All-American style of play and have a breakthrough college season?
2. How healthy will Chris Burgess be? Will his back and ankle hold up and can he return to being an offensive force on the backboard like he was at times for Duke?
3. Can Travis Spivey handle being the primary point guard? Will he make Nick Jacobson a better shooter by setting him up well? Will Martin Osimani be a contributor? Utah is expecting him to be but it's hard for new players in Rick Majerus' system.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: The Utes return to their late 1990's form, click on all cylinders, Majerus is on board throughout the season, they win the MWC and win a few games in the tournament.
Worst case: They can't close out in close games again, inside scoring suffers and they fail to win the MWC, lose out on the NCAAs and end up in the NIT.
Key Players Returning
|
Player
|
Yr.
|
Pos.
|
Ht./Wt.
|
Comment
|
Kevin Bradley
|
Sr.
|
G
|
6-0/170
|
PTS: 10.6 | REB: 3.3 | AST: 2.3
|
Britton Johnsen
|
Jr.
|
F
|
6-9/205
|
PTS: 9.2 | REB: 5.4 | AST: 1.5
|
Chris Burgess
|
Sr.
|
C
|
6-10/245
|
PTS: 7.8 | REB: 5.9 | AST: 0.9
|
Key Losses
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Ht./Wt.
|
Comment
|
Nate Althoff
|
C
|
6-11/240
|
PTS: 8.2 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 0.2
|
Utah Signings
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
High School/College
|
Chris Jackson
|
C
|
7-0
|
Los Alamos, N.M.
|
Martin Osimani
|
G
|
6-3
|
Hialeah, Fla./Champagnat Catholic
|
Eric Osmundson
|
G
|
6-4
|
San Diego, Calif./St. Augustine
|
Cameron Goettsche
|
F
|
6-8
|
Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge
|
Tim Frost
|
C
|
6-10
|
Kallamath Falls, Ore./Portland
|
|
|
|