Utah Utes basketball: Hines, Cyphers to see more time?

SALT LAKE CITY — Chris Hines and Jordan Cyphers were two of Jim Boylen's first recruits after he was named men's head basketball coach at Utah. Hines is a tough point guard out of Houston, while Cyphers is a sharp-shooting guard from Kansas.

Neither has played much so far in their two years at Utah, but one or both may get an opportunity tonight at 6 when Utah takes on Colorado State at the Huntsman Center.

That's because one Ute starting guard is definitely out and another is possibly out for tonight's game with the Rams.

Freshman guard Marshall Henderson is sitting out because of a one-game suspension for fighting after he hit BYU's Jackson Emery in Saturday night's 82-69 loss in Provo.

Luka Drca, who has started every game this year and 67 in his four-year career, woke up Monday with back spasms, a problem he previously has had a couple of times in his time at Utah. He missed practice both Monday and Tuesday and is listed as questionable for tonight's game.

Then there's Jason Washburn, the freshman backup center, who has been fighting a viral flu for the past several days, causing him to miss Saturday's game against BYU. He missed practice Monday, but did practice on Tuesday.

"The beat goes on," said Boylen. "Hines and Cyphers have to play, and (forward) Matt Read has to be ready to play. They have practiced very well. I have confidence in all three of them. That's where we're at."

Boylen plans to start David Foster, Jay Watkins, Shawn Glover, Carlon Brown and Jace Tavita, if Drca can't go. If he can, he'll start in place of Tavita. The Ute coach also said some players' minutes may be extended.

But Cyphers and Hines are almost assuredly going to see more minutes tonight.

Cyphers averaged 3.2 points while playing in 22 games as a freshman when he was counted on to bring an outside shooting threat to the team. However, Boylen said Henderson was clearly better and took his place as the Utes' "shooter" in the fall. Cyphers has played in 16 games this year and is averaging 2.9 points on just 32.5 percent shooting.

"You have to be ready at all times," said Cyphers. "I just try to stay mentally focused when I'm on the bench and work hard at all times because you never know when situations like this can happen and your number will be called."