Utah Utes basketball: Utes wary of Southern University

The Utah men's basketball team begins play in the Las Vegas Invitational tonight when Southern University pays a visit to the Huntsman Center.

Say again?

That's right, tonight's game (7 p.m.) is part of the eight-team Las Vegas Invitational, but it is being played in Salt Lake. After tonight, the Utes will play Seattle University on Tuesday night at home before heading to Las Vegas to play Illinois Friday night and either Oklahoma State or Bradley Saturday night.

Even though Southern, which is located in Shreveport, La., lost decisively to Baylor and Oklahoma State, Utah coach Jim Boylen is wary of the Jaguars, who play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

"They have athleticism, speed and quickness and they play pressure defense," said Boylen. "They're a lot like Idaho (which defeated Utah last week)."

Boylen was happy to get a win against in-state rival Utah State, a team he believes will win 25 games this year. But he wasn't happy about his team shooting 26 3-pointers, failing to work the ball inside more and getting outrebounded by the smaller Aggies 38-27.

"Our shot selection, our rebounding and our defense have to get better," said Boylen. "We also need to play through possessions better and finish."

The Utes are expected to go with their same starting lineup of Carlon Brown (17.0 ppg), Luka Drca (10.0) and Marshall Henderson (13.5) outside and Kim Tillie (9.0) and David Foster (5.0) inside.

Southern's top scorer is 6-foot-5 guard Tony McGilveary at 11 points per game, while guards Jazz Williams and Nick Walls each average 8.5 ppg.

UTE NOTES: Utah's two centers, Foster (5-for-5) and Jason Washburn (12-for-13), are a combined 17-of-18 from the field this year. ... Of Utah's 122 shots this year, 53 have been 3-pointers, with the Utes hitting 18 for 34 percent. ... Jay Watkins, out with a groin injury, is still a couple of weeks away from playing. ... Presbyterian and Wofford are the other two teams in the tournament, and they're playing against Illinois and Bradley in the first two rounds. ... Utah's game against Illinois next week begins at 8:30 p.m. MST. If the Utes win, they'll play at 8:30 on Saturday or at 5:30 p.m. if they lose.

Utes on the air

Southern U. (0-2) at Utah (1-1)

Tonight, 7 p.m.

Huntsman Center

TV: none Radio: 700 AM

e-mail: sor@desnews.com