The 2000-01 men?s basketball season was marred with instability. The team experienced a coaching switch one game into the season, and was as unpredictable as October weather at season?s end.
Still, interim coach Dick Hunsaker led the Utes to a share of the MWC title with a 10-4 record (19-12 overall).
Although the Utes slumped in the MWC Tournament and exited in the first round of the NIT, much of Hunsaker?s regular season success is responsible for the Utah MWC preseason ranking, released Tuesday.
Utah is tabbed to finish second in the MWC preseason media poll, with 299 votes. The U garnered four first-place votes, but the bulk of the votes (25) went to Wyoming.
The Utes were picked behind the Cowboys, who took a share of the 2000-01 crown. Wyoming is fueled by the MWC Top Returning Player, senior forward Josh Davis, who averaged 13.5 points and 9.4 rebounds a game.
New Mexico got the nod for third place, followed by San Diego State and UNLV. BYU, the Mountain West?s only NCAA Tournament representative, is picked sixth, in front of Colorado State and Air Force.
This year, coach Rick Majerus returns and has all five starters and nine lettermen back. Britton Johnson, a Second Team All MWC pick as a sophomore, was chosen to the preseason All-MWC squad. Starters Chris Burgess, Phil Cullen, Travis Spivey and MWC Freshman of the Year Nick Jacobson also return.
However, the Utes lost their only double-digit scorer. Last year, Second Team All-MWC junior Kevin Bradley scored 10.7 a game, but poor academics will keep Bradley from playing college ball anywhere in 2001-02.
Fans can catch the 2001-02 edition of Utah men?s basketball at the annual Night with the Runnin? Utes Monday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Huntsman Center. The festivities will include practice drills before an intrasquad scrimmage. The night will also feature a dunk contest and 3-point shootout.