Utah Utes basketball: Team ready for first 'official' exhibition game

SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah men's basketball team tips off its season Friday night when Adams State, a Division II team from Colorado, visits the Huntsman Center for a 7 p.m. exhibition contest.

The season officially begins the following Friday when another Division II team, Grand Canyon, plays the Utes in the Huntsman Center.

Actually the Utes have already played a game, but no one is supposed to know about it. The Utes went to Tucson over the weekend and played a secret game against the University of Arizona. The gym was completely empty except for the players, coaches and a couple of security guards. No stats were kept, although the teams were allowed to film the game.

Because of strict NCAA rules, Utah coach Jim Boylen can't say anything about the actual game, but the Utes played well and he offered, "It was a great learning experience and hopefully we can grow from it."

College teams are allowed to play two exhibition games every year, but are also allowed to use one of them to play another college team in a "practice" game. Under Boylen, the Utes have done this the past two years, playing the University of Colorado at the Huntsman Center and in Boulder.

GETTING BETTER: With nine new players, it has been a challenge so far this season, but Boylen believes his team is progressing well, three weeks into official practice time.

"We're starting to grasp the concepts of our foundation — that we can play full speed and do it," he said. "We're starting to understand how hard you have to play at this level. We've adjusted better to the pace of practice."

Newcomers Josh Watkins and Will Clyburn continue to shine in practice along with returning forward Shawn Glover. Sophomore center Jason Washburn and freshman J.J. O'Brien are getting time with the first team as projected starters David Foster and Jay Watkins are sitting out with nagging injuries.

The Utes added a pair of walk-ons this week from tryouts in October — Seth Tippetts, a 6-8 forward from Sandy, and Michael Hodgman, a guard from California.

REDSHIRTS: Boylen said he won't make any announcements about players who will be redshirting until next week before the first game.