Utah Utes basketball: Stiff test in opener vs. Vandals

Utah coach Jim Boylen could have probably picked an easier opponent with which to open the 2009-10 basketball season. Especially after what happened a year ago when the Utes were upset by a talented Division II team called Southwest Baptist.

The Utes will get a challenge right off the bat when they kick off the new season tonight against Idaho, which returns several players from a squad that compiled a 17-16 record last year, the best record in Moscow in over a decade.

The Vandals return six seniors from last year, including Mac Hopson, who averaged 16.4 points and 5.9 assists per game, 19th best in the nation. Also back are 6-foot-4 guard Kashif Watson and 6-9 Marvin Jefferson, who averaged 10.3 ppg and 9.1 ppg last year. Senior guard Steffan Johnson, a transfer from Pacific, was selected as the league's preseason newcomer of the year.

"They've got a good team," said Boylen. "They've got everybody back. They've got talent and postseason experience. We're going to be challenged."

The Vandals were picked for fourth in the Western Athletic Conference, although some publications put them at No. 2. The favorite in the WAC is Utah State, which will visit the Huntsman Center Wednesday night.

"I think our first two games are as good as we have," said Boylen. "We're going to know after two games where we're at and what we need to work on."

Right now, the Utes know they have a young team with just two seniors, four juniors and nine underclassmen.

Three starters return in guard Luka Drca, forward Kim Tillie and wing Carlon Brown. However, that's a bit deceiving, because two of the Utes top reserves last year were Shaun Green and Tyler Kepkay, who scored in double figures off the bench along with starters Luke Nevill and Lawrence Borha. The Utes lost 70 percent of their scoring from last year's Mountain West Conference champions.

"I don't like the word, rebuilding," Borha said. "Our system is established, but we've got a young group that we're going to develop. I'm enjoying this group of guys. They're so willing to learn."

Boylen has settled on a starting lineup as well as a 10-man rotation. Joining returning starters Drca, Tillie and Carlon Brown are 7-foot-3 center David Foster and 6-2 freshman guard Marshall Henderson, who is known for his long-range shooting.

Other players in the rotation will be sophomore guard Jordan Cyphers, 7-foot freshman Jason Washburn, sophomore guard Jace Tavita, JC transfer forward Matt Read and freshman forward Shawn Glover.