Runnin’ Utes head coach Jim Boylen is in his second year at the U.
During his years as an assistant in the NBA, Boylen had players such as Sam Cassell and Mario Elie who came off the bench to make major contributions. Boylen adopted the idea and is using it this season with two players whom most would expect to be starters.
Just like then-senior guard Johnnie Bryant’s role last season, senior point guard Tyler Kepkay will be coming off the bench for the Runnin’ Utes this season. Also coming off the bench will be three-year starting forward Shaun Green.
“When I was with Tom Izzo (Michigan State head coach), we talked a lot about having guys off the bench that were ready to play and give you a lift,” Boylen said. “Kepkay did that and Shaun did that and I just like that.”
The decision is based on the fact that Kepkay and Green will be able to bring some energy onto the floor coming off the bench. The Utes won’t have anyone under 6-feet-3-inches in the starting lineup, which will give opponents a tough time from the get-go.
“I think it’s a way for us to be the most effective, to use our depth and to have the best chemistry and the best possible chance to win at the end of the game,” Boylen said. “When you play 12, two-possession games, I think it makes a lot of sense.”
Kepkay and Green don’t have any problem with coming off the bench, it’s about being a team and racking up wins.
“It’s a cool thing that coach asked me to do it,” Kepkay said. “I like it because it gives me a chance to see what’s going on in the game a couple of minutes before I come in.”
Boylen isn’t the first coach in basketball to have star players coming off the bench rather than starting. The San Antonio Spurs have one of the most versatile players in the NBA to come off the bench with Manu Ginobili, and the rings speak for coach Gregg Popovich on that decision.
The Utes have enough depth this season to allow two of their offensive starts to come off the bench. Boylen said he wants to start as a defensive-minded team, rattle up the opponent a little bit, then send in the shooters to close it out.
“Our team functions very well with Kepkay and Green coming off the bench right now,” Boylen said.
When Boylen experimented with this idea last season, Bryant was the second-leading scorer on the team with 14 points per game, right behind Luke Nevill. He averaged starter minutes with 27 per game contributed, just as if he were a starter.
“It got to the point where Johnnie wouldn’t even let me talk about putting him in the starting lineup,” Boylen said. “He’s so comfortable in that roll. Obviously what Tyler did on Saturday with 26 points and what Shaun did with eight rebounds and five steals, they’ve bought in.”
Tyler CobbShaun Green has been a starter for three year at the U but this season head coach Jim Boylen will bring Green off the bench to give the team a lift.