The Utah men’s basketball team finished its two-game exhibition schedule unblemished.
But, as always, coach Rick Majerus isn’t content with his troops heading into Friday’s regular season opener.
Utah didn’t look especially sharp in either of its wins over EA Sports All-Stars SW or the London Leopards.
In the opener, senior guard Travis Spivey scored 7 points in the final two minutes, capturing Utah the “W.”
Against the Leopards, the game was see-saw until a technical foul by London’s Maurice Robinson with 18:24 remaining in the game. The tech shifted momentum, sparking a 7-0 run for Utah.
Still, Majerus willingly pointed out his team’s shortcomings.
He noted the U’s turnovers were uncharacteristic (38 in two games), and its opponent’s field goal percentage was too high (53.2 and 46.7 percent, respectively).
“We’re trying to get back to a continuity and style of play that I’m accustomed to,” Majerus said.
Expectedly, the Utes “missed a lot of open shots” in their opener versus EA Sports, said Majerus. But unexpectedly, a lack of energy in half one against London led to a 34-33 halftime deficit.
Majerus may not think his Utes are up to par, but ready or not, the regular season begins Friday at home against St. Francis (Ill.).
A Different Sphere
Days before joining the team this fall, senior forward Phil Cullen’s life revolved around splitters, brushbacks and the hit-and-run. In 14 starts for the Everett (Wash.) Aquasox, a single-A minor league baseball team in the Seattle Mariners’ organization, Cullen had 64 strikeouts and a 1-4 record in 56.2 innings pitched.
Now he’s back playing hoops at the U, but Cullen has yet to assume the significant role he played on the 2000-01 team.
In 26 starts, Cullen averaged 23.5 minutes and 9.1 points a game, both third-best on the team. But Cullen’s minutes were scarce in the two exhibition contests, due to his baseball shape. He played 17 minutes in the opener, scoring 5 points on 2-of-9 shooting with 5 fouls.
In the second game, his production increased, but his minutes did not. Cullen provided a lift off the bench, cutting the double-digit London lead with a pair of treys. He scored 13 points, but only played 15 minutes.
“Hopefully by second semester, [Phil] can be playing more,” Majerus said.
Still in Uruguay?
Being a foreign freshman on campus isn’t easy. There’s the adjustment to the university culture, having to get to know an unfamiliar city and, if you are Uruguay native Martin Osimani, getting one-liners dropped on you by your new coach.
After a 6-turnover night against EA Sports in Osimani’s collegiate debut, Majerus said, “[Osimani] still thinks he’s in South America.” Majerus continued, “He has good effort and good heart, but he has to get that foreign crap out of there.”
In game two, Osimani handled the pressure better, en route to 2 points, 12 minutes and 3 turnovers. The freshman will back up Spivey at point guard.
The Fighting ‘Aints?
Getting to know your NAIA pushover:
*The University of St. Francis is a Catholic school located 35 miles southwest of Chicago in Joliet, Ill.
*The college, home to 1,000 students at its main campus, was founded in 1920 as a place “to provide women an opportunity to pursue advanced study.” The institution became coed in 1971.
As for basketball, Ute fans should expect a yawner against St. Francis (Ill.) [Not to be confused with St. Francis (Ind.), which exists]. The Saints are struggling, at 1-3, and plays Indiana University Northwest Wednesday before its Friday game at Utah.
Also on the slate for the Saints are laughers Rio Grande University, Siena Heights University, Calumet College, Mount St. Clare College, Olivet Nazarene University, the Illinois Institute of Technology and Barat College.
Last year, the Saints went 14-19, with a 4-8 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) record. Juniors Nick Cardone and Mike Shannon are top returners. Cardone, a CCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention selection a year ago, averaged 10.9 points and shot .643 from the field. Shannon posted 10.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg.
Utah will have a distinct size advantage, as only one Saints player is 6-foot-8 or above. The St. Francis centers go 6 foot-6 and 6-foot-5, compared to 7-foot Ute center Cameron Koford and 6-foot-10 Chris Burgess.