Weber State basketball: Panos wants a win over his former favorite team

OGDEN — Weber State center Steve Panos used to cheer for the Utah Utes while attending their games at the Huntsman Center.

Tonight marks his last chance to beat them.

Panos, a Highland High graduate and one of only two seniors on Weber State's roster, leads a Wildcat team hungry for a victory over the Utes at the Dee Events Center tonight. Weber State has lost to Utah eight straight times, and Panos would like nothing more than to end the skid against a team he used to root for.

"It's exciting playing against them," Panos said. "It's always been a good battle. I think we have a really good team and they have a really solid team, too, so it's going to be fun to see."

Panos is one of three in-state players for the Wildcats but will likely be the only one to see any playing time tonight. Contributor Darin Mahoney, from Wasatch High, has been slowed by a calf injury and his status is day-to-day.

There will be plenty of pressure on the 6-foot-8 Panos to bang with Utah's imposing front line that features two 7-footers and a starter in forward Kim Tillie that stands 6-10.

LILLARD LIGHTING IT UP: There has been no sophomore jinx for point guard Damian Lillard, who was the Big Sky's Freshman of the Year last season. He leads the team in scoring with 19.4 points per game and in assists with 2.4 per game. He scored 23 points against BYU last week and he's made 17 straight free throws.

"Damian is doing a great job," said Weber State coach Randy Rahe. "He's really worked on leading this team. He comes to work every day, works hard and wants to get better. He's really caring about the team, which is what leadership is."

HUGHEY HEATING UP: Junior college transfer guard Lindsey Hughey is becoming a weapon for the Wildcats. In his last three games, he's shot 74 percent from the field. His hot streak from the field has come after he shot 0-for-8 in the Wildcats' first two games.

ROUGH SCHEDULE CONTINUES: The Wildcats are 1-3, but they aren't fretting about their record. They've played a difficult schedule with losses coming to BYU, Utah State and Seattle, a team that also defeated the Utes. They feel like they're improving and believe that the tough competition is getting them ready for Big Sky play, which starts Saturday at Sacramento State.

"We're real positive," Rahe said. "We're just going to keep ... fighting, and eventually we're going to see some good results. I don't know how good, but I do like this team and we're going to be OK."

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