Runnin’ Utes play second exhibition game Saturday

After a successful debut forUte coach Ray Giacoletti, theUtes get another tune-up Saturdayafternoon.Western State College, aDivision II school in westernColorado, will come to theHuntsman Center, and willcomplete the two-game exhibitionset for the Utes.The Mountaineers returntwo starters from last year’s2-27 squad. Senior guard RyanJobe led Western State in scoringlast year, with 9.5 pointsper contest.The main concern for Utahwill be to stay healthy and remainfocused on their Nov. 19opener, especially with startingpoint guard Tim Drisdomstill on the shelf.Drisdom stepped on a teammate’sfoot during practice thisweek, re-injuring his sprainedankle that kept him out of thefirst exhibition game againstCarroll College. Drisdom isout for Saturday’s game, andis questionable for the seasonopener versus Stony Brook.Marc Jackson will onceagain start at the point, withwalk-on Casey Iverson as theprimary backup. Giacolettiwas impressed with Iverson’sUte debut against Carroll.”He got three assists in limitedminutes,” Giacoletti said.”He did a great job.”An area where Giacolettiis relatively comfortable is inthe post. He has decided toredshirt freshman center LukeNevill, after consulting withNevill’s parents.”He’s only played ball] four years,” Giacoletti said, commentingon the young Australian’s lackof experience. “He has a chance to bereal good.”With Nevill sitting out, the Utes willmake use of five big men in the post.Andrew Bogut will get the start atcenter this week, after coming off thebench versus Carroll. Chris Jackson,who is now playing at 100 percent followingback problems last season, willback up Bogut.The situation at power forward ismore muddled. Sophomore JustinHawkins started the first exhibition, buthad a hard time acclimating to his position,scoring five points and grabbingno rebounds.Jonas Langvad will replace him in thestarting lineup this weekend. Langvadbrought down four rebounds and put infive points versus Carroll.Freshman Jake Schmidt will be thethird option at the four, but has not gottenany playing time yet. Schmidt hasa natural power forward’s body, measuringin at 6-feet, 7-inches and 247pounds.Tip-off for the final exhibition gameagainst Western State will be on Saturdayat noon in the Huntsman [email protected]