There is a new attitude swirling inside the U basketball team-an attitude stemming from a trio of sophomores who will make a huge impact not only during this season, but in the next few years as well.
As the season draws nearer, Tim Drisdom, Richard Chaney and Bryant Markson find themselves in a situation where they have to pay big dividends, considering the losses the Utes took with the graduations of Britton Johnsen and Trace Caton, as well as Mark Jackson’s abrupt departure.
Although the team still has seniors Tim Frost and Nick Jacobsen, the three sophomores will be on the court much more than they were last year and are poised to take over the program.
The three, nicknamed Run DMC, have obvious athletic talent, yet were kept in chains in their first seasons. This year, however, some of those chains will be let loose.
Drisdom started at point guard last year, yet Jackson would often get the call in crunch time. But now, Drisdom is clearly the team’s top point guard.
“This year I know Tim will be better, because last year he was always looking at coach to see what to do,” Markson said. “But now with a year of experience, he will have a handle on things.”
With the loss of Caton, either Markson or Chaney will assume the small forward role, while the other certainly won’t be lacking in playing time.
Drisdom, Markson and Chaney play the game a little differently, and they hope to have their attitudes exude onto the court and into the rest of their teammates.
“I felt like we were soft last year, but things will change with me Tim and Rich,” Markson said. “We talk a lot and we make sure people know where we are.”
Not only can the three talk a good game, but they have what it takes to back it up. And with a year under their belts, things can only get better.
“We can bring tenacity to the game, and all of us are always getting better,” Markson said.
For Markson, aside from the uneasiness that came with being a freshman, his weight also hindered him last season.
At 6-foot-6, Markson weighed 184 pounds coming into last season. A year later, he is at 200 pounds and hopes to be at about 205 by the time the season begins.
With the frame he is hoping to get, Markson could be one of the most athletic players to come to the U in quite a while.
Together, the three super sophs, along with Frost and Jacobsen, may prove to be better than last year’s team.
Last season, the Utes kept it close with every team and scores usually stayed in the 60s. This year, things should change, at least on the offensive side.
“I think we will score more because everyone has more experience so we will all be a little more loose in the offense,” Markson said.
Scoring will be imperative because the team will not always be able to hold the opponent to 60 points or below.
The Utes figured that out in the NCAA Tournament, where Kentucky simply had too much fire and defeated the Utes, 74-54.
“After that loss, I cried so much because we had worked so hard,” Markson said. “We are going to have to score more points.”
Along with the three future stars of the team, the main offensive threats this season will probably still be Frost and Jacobson.
Frost scored 12.8 points per game last season, while Jacobson chipped in with 13.3.
Once big concern, however, is the team’s depth. After Frost, Jacobson, Chaney, Drisdom and Markson, there is a steep dropoff in terms of experience. Frost and Jacobson are the team’s only upperclassmen. The Utes have ten freshmen on the roster, many of whom may play significant roles next season.
Justin Hawkins, Andrew Bogut, Stefan Zimmerman and Ryan Werch highlight a talented but raw group of newcomers.
“Justin Hawkins is like Paul Pierce and is a great scorer,” Markson said. “The freshmen we have coming in look really good.”
One player of particular interest to Ute fans is Bogut, an Australian forward who had originally planned to join the team in 2002 but didn’t end up making it.
But, as they say, better late than never. And now that he’s officially a Ute, Bogut is expected to be a contributor in his first season. The team hopes he can add another inside presence and start right away at power forward.
The Utes took a major hit with Jackson’s sudden departure almost immediately following the end of last season. But now, Drisdom has the point guard role completely to himself.
With the team’s concerning lack of depth, the importance of the play of the three sophomore increases that much more-but they should all be ready to step into their revitalized new roles.
“Everything is coming automatic to me now,” Markson said.