Now that two exhibition games are out of the way–and the two teams that were offered up to the slaughter have fled for home–it’s time to get down to business for the U women’s basketball team.
The Utes will tip off their regular season on the road on Friday when they go up against Gonzaga, a team that head coach Elaine Elliott expects to win the West Coast Conference.
The Utes may or may not be off to a bumpy start. That all depends on the health of two starters, Marie Warner and Joh-Teena Filipe.
Warner, who scored in double figures in both exhibition games, has been suffering from migraine headaches and might not play tonight.
Also questionable is sophomore starter Joh-Teena Filipe, who tweaked her hamstring during practice earlier this week.
Luckily, the Utes are an extremely deep team with several people who have the ability to put up big numbers.
“I expect to go at least 10 deep,” Elliott said.
One of Utah’s weapons is Heidi Carlsen, who has been deadly behind the three-point arc, hitting four out of six attempts.
Other Utes expected to put points on the board are freshman Kalee Whipple, who is already catching eyes because of her shooting prowess and athleticism, and Morgan Warburton, an all-around player and emerging team leader.
The Utes will head home and take on Fresno State Monday at the Huntsman Center.
Tyler CobbKim Tillie passed the ball inside around D.C. Egge during a preseason game against Montana Tech at the Huntsman Center on Monday.