Utah Utes basketball: Newcomers put hoops in get-acquainted mode

SALT LAKE CITY — As the Utah basketball team prepares for the upcoming season, don't be surprised if the players wear those stickers that say, "Hello, my name is …" on their jerseys as the team gets to know each other.

With nearly an entirely new roster, the Utes and coach Jim Boylen will be trying to erase bad memories of one of the tougher seasons in Ute basketball history.

Coming off a disappointing 14-17 season and a fifth-place tie in the Mountain West Conference, the Utes are looking for a winning season and a jump in the MWC standings. It won't be easy in a conference with several experienced teams coming back. The Utes were picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll — the first time a Ute program has been picked lower than fourth.

Nevertheless, the Utes are excited and optimistic about the upcoming season. They opened practice Friday evening and will play an exhibition game Nov. 5 against Adams State before officially opening the season against Grand Canyon on Nov. 12.

The Utes return starting center David Foster, the MWC defensive player of the year; and part-time starters Shawn Glover, Jay Watkins and Jace Tavita; along with reserves Chris Hines and Jason Washburn.

Those six are expected to be in the playing rotation this season, along with several newcomers. The Utes welcome nine new players to the team, including four JC transfers, three freshmen and two walk-on freshmen.

Gone are last season's three leading scorers — Carlon Brown, Marshall Henderson and Luka Drca — as well as the oft-injured Kim Tillie. Brown and Henderson both had eligibility left — one year for Brown and three for Henderson — but both players were apparently unhappy with their roles on the team and transferred to Colorado and Texas Tech, respectively.

Although coaches and players don't want to speak publicly about it, it's no secret there was a lack of chemistry on last year's Ute squad, something they're trying to correct this season.

"We're trying to make sure we don't have a repeat season of last year," said Foster. "We have a stronger bond of trust among the players and between the players and the coaches. We have better leadership this year, with the players being more of a voice, not only with the returning players, but even a couple of the new guys."

The two most heralded newcomers who are expected to make the biggest impact are JC transfers Josh Watkins and Will Clyburn.